Evening star., 1935-06-06
Rv TIE Associated Press.

Bv the Associated Press.
OSSINING. n. Y. June e-Edwin
C alabama Pitts. Sing Sing Prls-
on's star athlete. returned 10 freedom
today and prepared 10 earn his living
through prison developed talent as
a base ball player
Despite a decision excluding him
from organized base ball. Pitts board
cd a train at Harmon. n. Y. for AL
bany to report to johnny Evers. who
gave him a contract 70 PLAY with the
Albany team of the International
League.
W G. Bramham Of Durham. N c.
president of the National Association
of Minor Professional Base Ball
Leagues. issued an edict against Pitts
"as detrimental to the game" But
the widespread protests over the rul-
lngs have encourage TIC 25-year-old
Pitts to hope that it will be re-
scinded
Fvers welcomed Pitts at Albany
and then whisked him of to the State
Parole Board TO report his presence
in the city.
sure to BE With Team.
Alabama won't have to worry
about a Job Evers said If they
won't let him play. we'll find some
other job Maybe in base ball. as
coach, or something; maybe in some
thing else"
Evers said Pitts will join the Albany
club in Syracuse tonight. where the
Senator'S play Syracuse in a night
game.
We'll abide by the decision" Evers
declared. and until Bramham
changes his ruling. if he does, Ala
bama will not play"
Warden Lewis E. LaWes of Sing Sing
today wired Bramhan an appeal to
change his decision. assuring him that
he would not have oalred Pitts had
he known the facts of the case. Judge
Franklin Taylor of Kings County
Brooklyn. who sentenced Pitts. tele-
graphed the prison his wishes for the
released prisoners success.
Mother on Hand.
Pitts had another surprise when. In
gray suit and with a baseball con-
tract and s5832 in his pocket. he
stepped out of the prison His mother.
Mrs Edwin Rudd. New York City. was
there to greet him. Because of his
plan to 50 direct to Albany. he had
not expected her.
I'm going to report to Johnny Ev-
ers this afternoon" said Pitts. Il
haven't heard from him I'm not
wanted. l turned down two other base
ball Jobs today-one from the House
of David team. the other from pro-
fessional team in Dayton. Ohio"
Pitts. 25. became nationally famous
as Sing Sings all-around athlete He
was a star backfield mai on the foot
ball team. hitting outfielder
on the paSe ball team. and track
man. Too. he was something of a
star of the prisons theatricals and
curator of the zoo. Warden Lawes re-
ported him model prisoner and one
of the most popular men there, both
with inmates and employees.
He was sentenced from New York
City March 26. 1880. convicted of
second degree robbery, when only 10.
His sentence. to l6 years. was re-
duced by one-third for good behavior.
Born in hpelipa, Ala, he had served
in the Navy before his conviction.
Today. as he discussed his future, he
tried to dismiss the objections against
his base tall job. but his voice shook
as he said:
In way I don't blame Bramham
If he thinks I may do something
wrong. I suppose he is right But
won't make anybody regret giving me
an opportunity. I owe that much to
Warden LsweS, who has been more
than a friend.
I'm going out of here a good citi-
zen.'' he said. Il was young and
foolish when I came here OF course,
was guilty. but being in here has
changed my point Of view about
things. For one thing, 1 know 1 can
be happy without money. In the
days when I did the things that
brought me here. thought night clubs
and all that sort of thing was the life.
Well, 1 know better
RULING HELD ONE OF POLICY.