Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-01
Troi|us 3-Length F|amingo Victor;
Griffs Cut TV Slate to Is Games
Club Income
PIunges With
WTOP Pact
BY BURTON HAWKINS
Star star Writer


ORLANDO, Fla. Feb. a.
Sharp curtailment Of the Sem
ators' television program, call
ing for only Is games in con-
trast to the 48 shown last year,
was announced today as Presi-
dent Calvin Griffith reached
agreement with Station WTOP
to broadcast all l54 games.
Following three days Of al
most continual conferences
with officials of wTOP. WMAL
and WRC, Griffith signed a
one-year contract with WTOP,
which has the right of first
refusal for 1860. Griffith re-
fused to sign a three-year pact.
Income from the Senators
radio and television sources will
be reduced considerably. Last
season the club received $780,
900, which included 500. 900 for
televising games into Balti-
more. The deal with WTOP
was reliably reported to be mot
in excess of $l50.00o."
Four Games on Networks
The Senators also have
signed for four national tele-
casts, two with the National.
Broadcasting Co. and two with
the Columbia Broadcasting Sys-
TEN. which will net them
$l00.000
Bob Wolff will continue as a
play-by-play announcer. A
second announcer will be Sc
lected shortly. One of the spon-
sors Of the broadcasts and tele-
casts viii be the Gunther Brew
ing Co. Of Baltimore. Chief
sponsor last year was the Ma
tional Brewing Co. of Balti-
more, which did not pick an
option for this season.
BY selecting WTOP, Griffith
eliminated the possibility Of
Baltimore games being broad
cast into Washington by that
station this year. Last season
ell the Orioles games were on
that radio station. many in di-
rect competition with the Sena-
tors broadcasts on WWDC.
Test Of Effect on Gate
BY reducing the n1nbcr OF
televised games, the Senators
brass hopes to determin the eff
feet of televisior. on Griffith
Stadium attendance. Televised
games will be on Saturdays and
Sundays, but the schedule has
not been arranged.
If Grifhth settled for $780,
900. the Senators will receive
$3.50, 900 less than they got last
year for their Washington
Baltimore area activity. This is
regarded as certain to precipi-
tate close questioning Of Grit
nth by H. Gabriel Murphy, 40
Iper cent stakeholder, and Ro-
bert r. Rodenberg. another
stockholder who has filed a
Imismanagement suit against
Griffith and other officials.
Squad Game Rained Out
Otherwise, there was little ac-
tivity in the Senators camr
today, with rain washing out q
scheduled squad game.
Manager Cookie LavagettC
held a sign drill in the club
house, hoping rain would stop
and when it continued he or
dered the players to run anc
throw for 80 minutes.
Norm Zauchin, big first base.
imam. was elected the teams
player representative. He sue.
ceeds Ed Yost. third basemar
who was traded to Detroit.
First Baseman Julio Becquel
and Pitcher Russ Kemmerel
checked in today. All Others
are here or en- route except
slugger Roy Sievers, Outfieldel
Jim Delsing and Shortstop JOSS
Valdivielso. All are seeking
more money. along with Pitch.
er Pedro Ramos, Outfielder jim
Lemon and Outfialder A1bit
Pearson. Sievers VOWS he'll
remain in st. Louis until hi,
demand for $4,000 is met.