Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, February 04, 1917, SPORTS SECTION, Page 2, Image 36

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    2-5
PIM TDMBLERS' SET
TO INVADE RAPIDS
Peoria Loomi Up at Probable
Location of Next American
Bowling Congress.
BU77AL0 PUT8 UP FIGHT
Grand Rapid, Mich., Feb. 3 City
bowling! associations (II over the
country will hold their annual elec-
Hon of delegates to the American
Bowling congress, scheduled in this
city m Much 9 and 10, tomorrow.
Then art fire more diy left, but
matt of the pin-knight are taking
advantsg of tomorrow being the last
Sunday available and are getting to.
gather their workers and planning
for the invasion of the Furniture City.
Indications (till point to 800 teams
aa entrants to the big national tour'
nament, held in conjunction with the
congress annually, the skepticism of
the promoters who predicted only
about 700 clubs having finally broken
down before a terrific stream of en
tries that poured in all last week. The
home town now looks as though it
will press Toledo's home entry of 234
clubs pretty closely, a count of the
local entries this morning showing
that over 190 clubs had already fur
nishes their lineups to Secretary
Bieree, the Grand Rapids promoter.
Secretary Abe Langtry of the
American Bowling congress, who is
handling all of the outside entries,
wired here yesterday that he had more
entries in his hands now than he ever
had at similar period before. The
list will not close until February 14,
but he has over half of the schedule
drafted already.
Peoria Loom Up.
. Peoria is beginning to loom as the
next tournament city, although Bufr
' falo is said to have an ace up its
sleeve that will trump the final trick
at the annual meeting. The Bisons
ira drumming up entries from all qver
northern New York and Langtry's re
mark that the west will be the heavy
end of the entry list may prove in
correct Pittsburgh, which has finally come
back strong with an entry of fifteen
teams, js backing Buffalo.! while it js
rumored that President William Ag
new of Cleveland is also more than
friendly to Buffalo's claims, chiefly
sn account of its nearness to his home
town. Cincinnati i also lining up
strong for the campaign and will have
a big entry, counting the Columbus
players who work with them along
political lines.
V Hundred from Chi.
Chicago'! 100 teams will go down to
Grand Rapids uninstructed as to the
neat tournament location, following
ill custom for years, and its delegates
will be amenable to reason from all
of the bidding cities. The Windy City
turned the 100 mark during the week
and the end Is not yet in sight. The
small tow entry this year is bound
to be heavy, as the whole state of
Michigan will enter clubs from its nu
merous hamlets, while Wisconsin, Il
linois, Ohio and Indiana) ita border
states, have been firing in entries
right along.
Work on laying the alleys will be
started the coming week and the six
teen drives , will be rushed to com
pletion in time for the big opening on
March i.i Hardly a state, city or
national champion will be missing this
year, although few of them calculate
on repeating their title victories the
way the Com Barry did last year
when they added the Toledo medals
to the ones won at Peoria, and the
way Larry Sutton did when he won
in 1912 at Chicago after the Roches
ter man had Jeaten Fred Bruegge
mann of Sioux City in the roll-off pf
the tie at Pittsburgh in 1909.
Billy
mm Has
To Leave.Home to
Prove His Ability
New York, Feb. 3.Billy Miske'
rise to position justifying him in
disputing the rival claims of Jack
Dillon and Battling Levinsky to the
world's light heavyweight, champion
ship ha Been so rapid that the fans
back in hs own home town cannot
believe it. In St. Paul, from whence
'he comes, Billy is still regarded merely
as boxer of mediocre ability, which
but goes to shew that a prophet is
not without honor, etc.
Maybe it was the change of climate
that did it, but whatever the reason
is, it has been only since he came east
that Miske has commanded serious
consideration from the boxing fan.
He came here last June seeking
matches pn the strength of a victory
over Jack Dillon, scored in their first
matcq at Superior six months before.
In his last right in the west he met
Dillon in a return match in Indian
apolis. He frankly admit that he was
worsted that time.
Miske's first fight here were with
dubs. H knocked out Jack Hubbard
and Johnny Howard irf nine rounds
each. Then followed a six-round
knockout of Jim Barry. Last October
ht got hi first match with Battling
Levinsky, and gave him such a good
battle that they were rematehed less
than three weeks, later. It was the
first Levinsky match that started
Miske on his clmb to the top. Thus
it may be said, that he developed into
a star in less than three months.
Since the return bout with Levinsky
the Twin City battler has defeated
in succession Tim O'Neill, K. O., six
rounds; Bob Moha, Larry Williams,
Jack Dillon twice, George (Knockout)
Brown, and Charlie Weinert..
Seventeen Games Are
Carded by Cleveland
Seventeen exhibition games have
been . arranged for the Cleveland
American league team, which will
get away on March t for its spring
training camp at New Orleans. Six
game will be played with the New
Orleans club of the Southern asso
ciation, March 10, 11, 17. 18, 25 and 26.
The rest of the tchadul follows:
March 31, Louisville at New Orleans;
April 1, Pittsburgh at Nw Orleans;
April 2, Birmingham at Birmingham;
April 3, Birmingham at Birmingham;
April 4, Memphis at Memphis; April
5, Memphis at Memphis; April 6,
Louisville at Louisville; April 7, Cin
cinnati at Cincinnati; April 9. Colum
bus at Columbwi April 10, Columbus
at Tefedo, . t
BARRY FEARS VETS
MAY BE SUPPING
Black Jack is Not So Sure that
He , Inherited ' Made -to
Order Champions.
LOOKING FOR YOUNGSTERS
Jack Barry, congratulated for in
heriting a made-to-order pennant win
ner, is not so sure of it. It is said
Barry has radical notions that his
team needs new blood that the old
men are so much In the majority that
the Red Sox are likely to break any
day and, being ambitious, Jack doesn t
want that to happen under his regime.
Therefore he is willing to consider
deals for fresh material and he will
give great attention to such young
blood as he has men like Shorten for
instance.
Particularly does Manager Barry
want a new outfield, and a couple of
years ago it was considered the won
der of the world. The Red Sox out
field doesn't hit like Barry thinks an
outfield should; it isn't as fast on the
paths as it might be; with all the op
portunities for making assists that a
broad playing field gave it the per
centage of retiring bas runners was
low.' -
The hint is that both Duffy Lewis
and Tilly Walker would be swapped
if good deals could be made. Two
clubs already in the American league
have tried Walker who is willing to
trv Lewis in exchange for a hustling,
hard-hitting young outfielder not so
obsessed with coin that he ha lost
ambition?
. Barrv snills good dope. Outside his
pitching staff his team has passed its
prim and only good pitching pulled
it through last season. Hooper, Gard
ner, Lewis, HobliUel andUarry him
self, who plana to continue at second,
all have been in the big show from
seven to eight year and if they don't
soon begin to slow down they will
enjoy longer has ball life thin the
big percentage ot player,
Next season will be Harry Haon.
er'f eighth with the Red Sox, b hav
ing joined them from Sacramento in
the spring of 1909. It was at the same
time that Gardner Joined th team
after having been farmed nut to Lynn.
Oardner had been given, a trial By.
Boston In IWn and was sent along to
Lynn to finish the season. Duffy
Lewis was secured by the Red Sox
from the Oakland club at the close of
the 1909 season and hu been playing
with them since his big league debut
at Cincinnati after starring for Wheel
ing in the tentral league and ne nas
been In the big show since 1909. He
was sold to Boston in the middle of
the J914 season.
Started in 1908.
Jack Barry was taken on hy the
Athletics in the spring of 1908 and
starred with them at short until the
middle of the 1915 season, when he
was sold to Boston. Barry stepped
in to play second base for th Red
sox alter several year it snort and
ha played as brilliant a game at the
middle sack aa he ver played at
short.
Whether or not anv of these vet
eran Red Sox player will (low UP
next season remain to be seen. It
will be more than remarkable if some
of then) dqn't. At any rata (he prob
lem of preparing tor the tin's that
approches when they will have to be
replaced bv younger men will be one
of the first of Barry' new duties. No
one doubts that Barry, one of the
be
equal to his new work.
And now hat Barry has given the
hint Pf hjs hopes and intentions, don't
be surprised if men like Lewi and
Gardner, who undoubtedly are slow
ing up, ar slated for the discard if
the new manager really think he can
supplant them with .younger talent
that offers strong hope pf progress.
Manager Barry has half doien
recruits or so nd he will look them
over carefully. It is their grand op
portunity, Barry has ideas, no en
tangling alliances, he wants to rid
his team of cliques, he wants no dis
loyal players. One of the big sur
prises of the year may he Jack Barry
rebuilding the "champions" he in
herited from Bill Carrigan. And the
new owners of th club, having no
respect for traditions, are with him
in the game,
Native Son Fight
Pug Anxious to Do
Battle With Darcy
- v i. Tr.u 1 nr..... ir-ll-.
a California heavyweight, has arrived
her from 'Frisco, Kellar is the chap
who recently caused quite stir in
pugilistic circles by defeating Billy
Miske, "the man of the hour, at
Superior, Wis., a few months ago,
He wants to box either Miske or Lcs
Darcy,
Kellar, by the way, was the "king
pin' in Australia before Darcy be
came the lion ot the pugilistic world.
He fought for Hugh Mcintosh as
often as possible and soon became
quite a favorite. Two years afterward
Darcy sprang up and started 'his
spectacular climb. Darcy and Kellar
never met, Kellar leaving tor tne
ynited State before Darcy came for
ward. Kellar is a likely looking chap,
weiahina- in the neighborhood of 180
pounds, and stands six feet one inch
' . . c i . : i u : . u -... -I
in PI ngllllUK BI1UCS. mi ci-
forts were against Billy Miske, Bat
Levinsky, Pan t'orky flynn, tony
Ross, Tom MtCarty and Tom Mc
Mahon. "I beat Miske out In Wisconsin
and will repeat it again," said Kellar.
Continuing, the Caliiornian said: "As
soon as Darcy tires of the stage I'll
box him ten or twenty rounds."
Tony Mullane Was Fast
, Ball Hurler of All Time
' Cincinnati, O., Feb. 3, During s
recent argument between base ball
fan here the question arose as to the
speediest pitcher. The nam of Tony
Mullane was connected with that of
Amos Rusie and Walter Johnson.
John B. Connolly, one of the oldest
tens in thi city, declared that Tony
Mullane was the speediest pitcher the
game ever developed.
Unquestionably, the old-timr ay,
Mullane had reat speed in his earlier
year. It would be difficult, however,
to make the admirer of Kusie s time
believe Mullane pitched a speedier
Dau man wieir mm.
THE OMAHA
BOBBY WALLACE
REACHES THE END
Veteran Who Antedates Wag
ner and Lajoie Quits Game
to Enter Business.
PLAYED WITH OLD HEROES
Nap Lajoie's retreat to the minor
leagues has been chronicled far and
wide, Honus Wagner's endurance has
had its full share of publicity and Ed
die Plank is known as the Civil War
veteran, but ther is one old-timer
who is passing out without a bally
hoo, who has been playing short for
St. Louis teams as long as the young
er generation of Mound City fans can
remember, has ended his career on
the diamond and is planning to go
into another business in St. Louis.
Lajoie served nineteen years in the
two big leagues, and Wagner is just
starting his nineteenth consecutive
season. Wallace quits alter twenty-
two years as player and umpire. He
put in twenty consecutive seasons as
a player in Cleveland and St. Louis.
Twelve Season With Browns.
It was in 1894 that Wallace started
as a pitcher for Tat Trheau's team.
Cleveland was then In the National
league. He remained a pitcher for
three years and then became a third
baseman. When the Cleveland team
was transferred to Sr. Louis in 1899
Wallace went along as a shortstop.
After th season of 1901 . Bobby
jumped to the St. Louis Browns, and
he is just getting through with that
club, For twelve years he was a
dandy shortstop for th Browns.
Wallace managed the Urowns tor
two years, but gave up the reins to
George Stovall and remained as a
private. His continuous service of
fifteen year at a t- Louis shortstop
ended early in the season of 1915,
when lit obtained hit unconditional
release and became an American1
league umpire. He was not re-appointed
last season, hut did not rer
main idle, as he rejoined the Browns
and finished th season it an extra
infielder.
Ha Great Record.
Thus, while Bobby did not stick it
out as a regular as long as Wagner
or Lajoie, lie can point to a record of
twenty-two years in major league
base ball,
Wallace has just passed his forty
third milestone and is still a well
trained athlete. However, he has
slowed up and admits his playing
days are over.
Recently he applied to the Cleve
land club' for a job as scout and
coach, but was turned down.
It is not improbable that he may
continue in base ball as a scout or a
minor league manager, but he pre
fers a less strenuous life. The little
Scot has saved his money and has it
well invested.
Knew the Veteran.
Wallace i one of the few base ball
player who batted against the noted
pitcher of olden days and the mod
ern stars. He can talk about Amos
Rusie and Jouett Meekin as interest
ingly as he discusses Walter Johnson
and Ed Walsh. ,
There js po accredited major league
record of stretches of errorless in
fielding, but it is believed that no
body has ever equaled Wallace's feat
of accepting 153 consecutive chances
at short without an error in 1901.
White Sox Players
Not Strong for the
Fultz Strike Talk
Many players of the Chicago Amer
icana have declared that the strike
move of the Base Ball Players' fra
ternity will be thwarted in ft incipi
ency and a few of those who so de
clared themselves are members of the
fraternity and already have signed
their contracts. Others are signed to
iron-clad documents and say that they
see no reason to break them.
Ray Schalk and "Lefty" Williams,
the latest members of Coniiskey's
team to sign contracts, said they are
members of the fraternity, but they
could see no good reason for a strike.
Eddie Cicotte and Joe Bene, who have
been quoted as against the strike
move, also are affiliated with the fra
ternity, Eddie Collins, '"Buck" Weaver, Os
car "Happy" Felsch and Jacques
Fournler all are tied up to contracts,
while "Jim" Scott sent word that he
was anxiously awaiting the word to
go to the training camp and was not
interested in the strike talk.
John Collins, the White Sox repre
sentative on the fraternity board, sent
a letter to Ben the other day in
which he said he was enjoying him
self with his baby and skating on the
New England rivers, but did not men
tion anything about the threatened
Strike.
Ohio Lett Out a Howl
For a Large Stadium
Agitation for the erection of a new
athletic stadium has been started at
the Ohio State unjversitv. Prof.
Thomas E. French of the department
of engineer drawing has provided
plans for a modern concrete stadium,
with a seating capacity of 50,000. It
is modeled after the University of
Chicago stadium, parts pf which have
been constructed.
According to the plans, a concrete
stand, with a seating capacity of J8,
000 would be erected and ,a more
fund became available, a similar
stand would be built on the opposite
side of the field. Then stands would
be erected at both ends.
The plans also provide for a quarter
mile running track with a 220-yard
straightaway. The foot ball field
also would be used for base ball. The
alumni are reported to be much inter
ested In the proposal and are discuss
ing plan to subscribe funds to start
the project - '
Iowa Unl Twirler Is
1 Signed by Cleveland
"Lefty" Deardorff, a member of the
Iowa State university bate ball team,
has been signed by the , Cleveland
Americans. Maurice Kentthe cotch
at the university, said that Deardorff
is one of th best pitchers ever de
veloped at low. Deardorff i (aid to
class above the average pitcher aa a
jutteb
SUNDAY BEE: FEBRUARY 4. 1917.
Robertson Demands
i j IV "'j La tV s i-
jfi '.Lslja-Al i
?lm
PAVE ROBERTSON".
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 3. Dave Rob- Robertson was one of the Grants'
ertson, the Giants' right fielder, is most valuable assets last season. He
the first of McGraw's regulars to finished the season with a batting
balk. Robertson has announced that average of ,307 for 150 games, but.
he'll get what he wants or McGraw these figures really do not show hi
will be without his services. Rob-vatqe. Pavey tied Stengel for home
ertson will stick with the players' run honors with twelve circnit clouts
fraternity. He returned the contract and scored eighty-eight run him
sent him, unsigned, demanding a big self, He drove many more run across
increase In salary.
OMR
and
FIELD
One of the most progressive or
ganizations we have in the world of
sport is the Interstate Association tor
the Encouragement of Trapshooting.
This organization always has ita ear.
to the ground, in the hope of learning
something that will improve and give
even greater popularity to th sport
than it now enjoys. It is an associa
tion that is willing to listen to the
views of all who think' they have
something to offer of benefit to the
sport.
During the last few year the Inter
state Association has done many
things to elevate trapshooting and
place it on the high pedestal it is now
on. Among tnese tnings are tne clas
sification of states for championship
purposes, the award of trophies to
newly-organized gun clubs and for
inter-city and team competition; the
accepting of entries of women in trap
shooting tournaments, especially the
Grand American; the excellent plan
ning of the handicaps; the broaden
ing of th trophy principle, and the
generous policy tq all club.
These trophies awarded to newly
formed gun club are shot for by the
members. The trophies for team com
petition are afterwards shot for by the
members of the winning team, so that
double use is made out of nearly all
the trophies. It is this generous
method of dealing with organization
that has made the Interstate associa
tion so well thought of in shooting
circles, and yet the Interstate asso
ciation is willing to iprn over inc
reins of management to the shooter
themselves any time the shooters
uieniscives any nine 1110 sntnucra
car. to form a national body to ban-
die the sport. Thi isn't likely to
occur, as the shooters are very well
pleased with th way the Interstate
association doe things.
Stat associations have been divided
in four classes by the Interstate asso
ciation A, B, C and D. To the ap
proved tournaments in Class A states
the Interstate association gives $250:
to Class B, $225; to Class C, $200, and
to Class D, $150.
The states are classed in this man.
ner:
A ! California-Nevada, ' Illinois,
Iowa, Missouri, New York, Ohio and
Pennsylvania.
B Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas,
Nebraska, Virginia and Wisconsin.
C Kentucky, Maryland-District of
Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Ok
lahoma and Texas.
D Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas,
Colorado-New Mexico," Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana.
Maine. Mississippi, Montana, New
Hampshire, North Carplina, North
Dakota, Rhode Island, South Caro
lina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah,
Vermont, Washington, West Virginia
and Wyoming.
Everybody in Dallas is
Discoverer of Fletcher
One day last spring when the
Giants were in the southland they ar
rived in Dallas for an exhibition game.
They had been at their hotel scarcely
five minutes when stranger ap
proached Arthur; Fletcher.
"How are you, Fletch, old man?"
he exclaimed, as he grasped the short,
stop by the hand. "Do yon remember
me?"
"No, I don't," admitted Arthur, "but
I'll bet you're the fellow who recom
mended m to McGraw."
"That' right,", responded the
stranger, and he "went on to relate
confidentially how through his influ
ence th Little Napoleon had signed
Fletcher.
"Well," sighed the player as the
stranger departed, "there goes No. 1.
Before I leave Dallas I will be in
formed by 799 Individuals that each
one was responsible for McGraw
signing me. t happens every time I
come here."
Walter Q. Clark Co. Opens
Up New Retail Store
The Walter G. Clark company have
opened a new retail sporting good
store at 1421 Farnam street
The old store at 1408 Harney street
will still continue in business, but
will concentrate more in the jobbing
line than in the Dast.
J, W. Elwood is president of the
Walter G. Clark company, and Ralph
Kusseu nas active management oi
Increase or Will Quit
i.xiaWiWtm.
tne plate Dy nis long oisiance pming.
ROME IS READY
FOR SIGNAL TO GO
I cm fas n
better hitter, however, than Pratt
But both Brottem and Pratt are real
first string catchers, the kind that can
be used alternately without weaken
ing the team any, and that is some
thing unusual in the Western league,
where it has almost been the rule that
one catcher is the regular receiver and
the other second string man.
Jake Holderman is the only new
man in the infield. Jake will fill the
shoes of Ray Miller , at first base.
Jake will have something of a task
to fill Ray's boots, but Rourke and
Krug are confident he will be suc
cessful. Holderman is 24 years old,
about six feet high and said to be
a great fielder, the kind who palls
wide throws in from either side and
out of the atmosphere and digs low
heaves out of the dirt with consist
ency. He is also said to be a good
hitter, maintaining an average around
J00, and fairly fast on the bases.
Other Infielders Vetx.
Ireland, Krug and Burg, all mem
ber of the 1916 championship team,
will occupy the other infield position.
Irelan will play his old position at
second, where he would have pa
timed last year except for the break
in his leg, which occurred during th
training season. Krug will play short,
vice Kewpie Kilduff, advanced to the
majors, while Burg will again hold
down third base.
Two vet will be back in the otrt
field, Forsythe and 6hag Thompson.
Shag was procured outright from
Connie Mack last week. Last year he
wa sent to Omaha under option.
Rourke believes Thompson has
reached the point where he will begin
to deliver the goods in master iasn-
. D . lnA ,;,.
n and will be a regular, ;W hitter
this year. Hal Brokaw is the new
man in the outfield. Brokaw coroes
from Winnipeg with Benton, and is
said to be some putfielding baby. He
clouted the pill at a .300 clip in the
Northern league and was the best
fielding outfielder in the circuit
Brokaw, Pa believes, , is a coming
major league star.
Two Youthful Prospects.
In addition to these regulars,
Rourke has a youthful infielder
named Johnny Watkins, and Floyd
Smith. Smith, It is believed, is not
quite ripe for Class A company, but
he may fool the wise ones and prove
a winner when spring rolls around.
Watkins is a Kansas City semi-pro
shortstopper and third sacker whom
Nig Pcrrine informs Rourke is a
coming Artie Fletcher. Watkins is
a big fellow for an infielder, and Per
rine says he is a flashy fielder and a
dandy hitter. Rourke, however, is
not counting on Watkins. '
Rourke does not expect tp obtain
any more players unless another
pitcher is grabbed, and then it would
be a young rookie he would sign on
a chance. Marty Krug has a young
hurler back in Cleveland that he be
lieves has the makings of a great
curver and he may be brought out
for a trial In every other respect
however, Rourke believes his squad is
complete.
Rourke has about given up hope
of getting Earl Smith, Ernie Krueger
or Kewpie Kilduff back. He believes
all three of thesr men have an even
chance of sticking with the big
league clubs to which they were sold.
And inquiries made among the big
fellows also indicated to Rourke that
the Cubs and Giants, who own this
trio, would not be able to waive them
out of th faster company if they do
decide to release them.
"I would like to get them all or
any one of them back," said Rourke,
"but I don't think there's a chance.
Anyway I'm not taking the chance, so
if I don't get them back I have the
men to fill their positions."
Cleveland Gets First
Call on Brewer Stars
President Al Timme of the Mil
waukee American association club
and James C Dunn, president of the
Cleveland Americans, have signed a
three-year agreement which provides
that Cleveland should have first call
on the present material of the Milwau
kee club and anv d aver whom Danny
Shay, manager of the Brewers, de
velops in the next three years.
Three Cleveland players already
have been turned over to Milwaukee.
They are Catcher Henry De Berry,
Infielder Walter Barbare and Out
fielder Danny Moeller. Moeller was
released outright, but a string was
tied to the other two.
FULTON'S SIW
GETSBIG BOOST
Still Some Doubt, However, as
to Strength of Hia Once
Fragile Chin.
IS SIDESTEPPING MORAS
New York, Feb. ir-Smtm Fred
Fulton defeated Tom Cow lev the
Rochester giant's stock baa received
a tremendous boost although little
Jack Dillon accomplished the same
feat last year and thought nothing
of it There is rio doubt that Ful
ton's bearing technic has improved,
but the question whether his fragile
chin has grown strong enough to
withstand a champion's blows remains
unanswered. It will not be answered
until he weathers a healthy wallop
or two delivered by a man who knows
something about hitting.
That Fulton has some smpidon
that when this happens all will not
be well with him is indicated by the
remarkable amount of respect he
shows for Frank Moran. Since Moran
was defeated so easily by Gunboat
Smith there seems to be no particular
reason why any second rater should
not grab a chance to tackle him, espe
cially when the price is so liberal.
Fulton seems to be as fearful of the
slow-moving Pittstrargher a though
the latter had won all his last few
boots instead of receiving a showing
up on each occasion. ,
But although Moran never could
box and his condition h rapidly grow
ing from bad to worse he has yet
to be put down for the full count
and he still swings a weighty right
hand. He can generally be depended
upon to land at least one powerful
blow during a boat, and Fultoa ap
pear to dread that one punch more
than anything the faster bat lighter
bitters can hand out
Fulton is Stronger.
However, Fulton has filled oat con
siderably and is a great deal more
sturdy than he was a year ago, when
he deafted Al Reich without making
a very promising showing. It may
be that his power of resistance has in
creased in proportion to his growth,
and in that case he may be able to
extend Witlard in case they are
matched this winter. Then, too, the
belief that Willard has grown fat
and slow may cause many to think
that Fulton would not be a setup.
If Fulton can demonstrate that he
can stand np under rough mange a
match with Willard will be a great
success, both financially and as a spec
tacle. Until recently it wa generally
believed that Fulton had been picked
out by the champion' many mana
gers a a particalarry easy mark.
When Fulton was so green that to
match him with the champion would
have been a farce Wil lard's backers
sang bis praises and did their best
to create the belief that the Rochester
man was a demon. But at that time
the public would not listen, and the
plans to stage the match fell through.
But new that Fulton has partly
made good in rather unexpected fash
ion, it w31 be interesting to see
whether the champion's managers are
as anxious as ever for the boot Ful
ton himself say he is glad the pro
posed match at New Orleans did not
take place, as he now realizes that
he would not have had a chance at
that time.
Walter Johnson
Gnres Scribe of
Habit of Betting
Joe Jackson of the Detroit News,
president of the Base Ball Writers'
association, was almost cured of bet
ting by Walter Johnson last season.
The Washington club was playing
the Tigers in Detroit Walter was
scheduled to pitch. - Joe bet him $20
Detroit would win.
In the eighth inning Detroit had
Washington 3 to 0 and Joe began to
figure on how he would spend his
$20. . x
Boehler was pitching tor Detroit
With two out in the eighth, one of
the Nationals got a hit. Uddie Am
smith walked. Boehler, up to his old
tricks, hit George McBride, filling
the bases.
While waiting his turn at bat John
son, who batted after McBride. saun
tered toward the press box, which is
on the ground right behind the plate,
and held up his hands, indicating that
he would like to have the bet cut to
$10.
"Nothing doing." yelled Jackson.
"We bet $20 and $20 goes."
"All right," replied Johnson as he
went to bat
Boehler's first offering was a fast
.... ,.
one ngnt in waiters groove, vvaucr
Swung.
The next thing Jackson saw was his
$20 sailing out of the park, the ball
clearing the left field fence for what
is now known as the longest drive
ever made at Navin field.
Red Faber Chooses Base
Ball to Life On the Farm
Here Is the story of how Red Faber
of the Chicago White Sox became a
professional ball player. Faber had
come home from college full of the
notion of making base ball his career,
so his father cast about for some
means to cure him of the notion. H
way between Cascade and Dubuque
he spied a grand meadow full of hay.
He decided to buy the hay and let
Red and his brother cut it
So he leased the meadow and kept
an eye on the grass, planning to send
his sons there at the psychological
moment One day he saw the hay was
ready and he passed the word to the
boys. "Start tomorrow at sun-up, he
"That night Red hopped a rattler for
Dubuque to join the ball club. Dad
had to go with his remaining boy and
cut the hay. It was a hot job and
took several davs. The two slept in
a corncrib, while Red was fooling
around in Pullmans and $3 hotels. It
made dad very mad and he was a
long time getting over it
IHIloa Slowtne r.
Jaok Dillon's rwwnt wort In th ring
Indloste that Mm Hexntor bur oat I tut
lowlns up-
GUCKERT AND McDONALD
TAILORS
REMOVED TO
Woodmen of the World Building
Second Floor
Corner 14th and Fanuun Streets
FEW MfflOR CHAMPS
GOTOBIGfflGOES
Only Frrs of Champion Bats
men fat Bush Circuits Are
Grabbed by Big Show.
FOTO ABE mnELDEES, TOO
The smaO number of minor league
batting champions who are given a
trial in fast company this spring indi
cates that the majors aren't very
strong for last season's bush leaw'ue
slugging talent.
Of the five minor league swat
champions purchased for the his
show, the St. louis Americans
grabbed two-Kenworthy. the Pacific
Coast league batting leader, and Ja
eobson, champion slugger of the
Southern league. Both of these pas
timers have been "up" before, Keu
worthy having been tried put by the
Pittsburgh Pirates and Jacohsou by
the Detroit Tigers. Their failure to
show consistent stick work sent both
back to the minors.
Last season Jacobson played cen
ter field for the Little Rock team
and hit for J46 in 139 games. Ken
worthy performed at second base for
the Oakland team and stung the pel
let for JH in 200 games. If they
can continue their brilliant work of
1916 "Jake" and "Ren" are certain to
become fixtures with the Browns.
Th other batting wizards from the
short ship circuits who are to show
their wares to big time managers are
Ellison, champion of the Central as
sociation, who goes to the Detroit
Tigers; Mathes, the Central league
leader, who has been copped by the
Boston Braves, and Hoelke, long of
the International league batsmen,
who is already a member of the New
York Giants, having performed bril
liantly for McGraw the latter part of
last season.
Central assodarJoa averages show
that Ellison, the Muscatine infielder,
took part m 127 games and hit for
J6L Mathes, who played second base
for Ten Haute, had a batting mark
of J54 in 74 games, and. Hoe Ike's
International league batting figures
show that he hit for J44 in 122 games,
while holding down first base for
Rochester,
Rather oat of the ordinary is the
fact that four of these five champions
batsmen are infielders, Jacobson be
ing the only outfielder. Heretofore
a big uiajuiity of the star cl outers
gathered annually by the major
leagues from the smaller circuits have
been outfielders. Now it would seem
that the infielders are fast devetopmg
the art of bitting and are to give the
gardeners a good run for the bingle
honors. The same improvement in
hitting by the infielders is noticeable
in the major leagues, especially in the
National, in which organization eight
of thi dozen leading batsmen played
infield positions.
The fact that so many of th mmor
league batting champions are veteran
past liners and former big leaguers
may account of the small number of
minor league leaders "coming up" this
year. Nowadays major league man
ager prefer taking a chance in de
veloping a youngster.
Among the, veteran players who led
their respective leagues in batting last
season were Beats Becker of the Kan
sas City American association team,
Hank Butcher of the Denver Western
league team, Dill Kay of the Bing
hamton New York State league team
and Howard Wakefield of the Rock
Island Chree-I league team.
Butcher heads the list of veteran
sluggers with a batting average of
.377 for MS games. Kay took part
in 124 game and hit for .360. Wake
field hit for .352 in 134 games, and
Becker had an average of .343 fpr 153
gtmts.
Other minor league batting leaders
include Kippert of Butte, the North
western league champion; Maloneyof
Worcester, champion of the Eastern
league; Bittle of Waco, who led the
Texas league, and Flynn of Newnan,
the Georgia-Alabama leader. Bittle
is to be tried out by the Mobile South
ern league club next season and
Flynn is to go to the San Antonio
team of the Texas league.
Plenty of Offers
Made to Mick King,
Who Just Arrived
New York, Feb. 3. When Mick
King, Les Darcy's fellow country
man, who arrived here "sub rosa" a
couple of weeks ago, gets ready for
action he will find plenty of it await
ing him. This indicated by the flood
of offers matchmakers of clubs in the;
eastern boxing belt of this country
have made him. Since his arrival iii
this port, after a sixty-two-day voy
age from Sydney, King has been,
spending his time sightseeing. He is
ready now to resume practice of his
chosen profession, and today begins
training at Billy Grupp's gymnasium.
King has selected Joe Brannigati to
map out and direct his American cam
paign. Brannigan said: "We have a num
ber of matches offered, but we have
not closed any as yet. They want
us for twelve rounds with Tony Ross
in Bridgeport. A Brooklyn club sug
gested a match with either Bob Mc
Allister or Jeff Smith. Jack McGui
gan of the National Athletic club in
Philadelphia has filed a bid leaving
the selection of the opponent to our
selves. Then Charlie Doeserreck of
the Pioneer Sporting club would have
us box Young Ahearn for him. 1 de
ferred acceptance of any of these
offers until King gets into actual
training.
"Personally King would prefer to
box Smith, Gibbons and Darcy above
all others, but I guess we will have to
wait a while for the latter two match
es. I understand boxing conditions
here pretty well and I realize that a
newly arrived boxer must prove to
the fans that he is worthy of big
matches. We are willing to work
our way up to them by victories over
opponents of lesser caliber. Once
King gets started it won't be long be-1
fore he will qualify for the big dates.""
T.L--iL :