New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 27, 1916, Page 8

NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1916 League Rules Committees Favor Moving Back Outfield Fences---Rickard Claims Rival Managers e Trying 1o Prevent Carpentier From Coming Here--: LES COMMITTEES FFAVOR NEW PLAN aying Field May Be Increased to ‘Prevant Numerous Home Runs New York, pnittees of the two major leagues— lohn A. and Drey- s of the National league and Pre Dec. —The rules com- Heydier Barney dcnt Ban Johnson of the American get together to stions which have eague~—will discuss dl the be de for improving the game as soon e National commission finishes Cincinnati next sug ng in Tues- meeti of the rule mak- be held at French former of the mew The vill prohably bick, 1. &as in years. One rules which the ationnl league ibmit for representatives pproval for This affects rule No. provides a . Which now reads that *“the shortest ‘ istance from a fence or stand on lair territory to the home base should 235 feet.” The which sented provides that the stand shall be no an 270 feet away. ‘If the Amer- the mean that the num- runs in both leagues | 1l be far less than be- o rill earest new rule be pry fence or league also approves of hange, it will er ot hom e, Thi rules is plainly aimed at he short right fields in Philadelphia nd at the Polo Grounds as well as t the close-lying fields stands in her es. Most of the home runs hade Philadelphia 4nd in New hit to right field. In Phil- they soar over the short ght fleld fence into Broad street, | hile at the Polo Grounds they fiy h among the populace in the right eld grandstand. spot cherished d made famous by John Franklin aker of Trappe, Md. who is now ith the Yankees. The Philadelphia ark is so small that the ball play- 's call it the Bandbox park. Ground Rule May Be Necessary. The sad part of this new rule will that, if the right field stockade | Philadelphia and New York Inder the 270-foot limit, they ot be pushed back, and it will then necessary to adopt a ground rule fmiting hits over the short barrier b three, or even two, base hits. Thi: ill be an awful blow to c ns like enny Kauff, Davy Robertson, Frank aker, and Wallic Pipp, to say noth- g of left-handed hitters like Lu- erus, on the Phillies. Tt won’t affect avvy Cravath, because, although he ade his reputation as a home run ailoper by steering his blows over he wall at Philadelphia, he will not with that club next season. For several years there has heen bjection from several clubs because the short right ficlds.in the ball rounds of Philadelphia, New York, hicazo and certain other cities. Vis- | ing nagers have often tried to hlisii a ground rule at these parks, | miting the hits to two bases. Dur- hz one neriod at the Polo Grounds { striking against the upper tier was limited to two bases, while | striking the front rail of the ers in left field also came under ound rule. but of late vears these its go as home runs in both leagues. The American league teams, save 10 Yankees wonld not be as hard it Iy the new rules as the clubs of e older cirenit. The fences In the leogue parks are deeper n the National league, and runs were made this Johnson’s circuit than Tener's league. There two effective home run Jouters in the American league last ason, and both were members of he Yankees. Walter Pipp led the bazue with twelve home runs while aker had ten and would doubtless ave had several others had he not leen out of the game with injuries several weeks. Many of = these ome runs were made into the right le1d stand at the Polo Grounds. The bur-corner clouts in the ~National bague were more numerous,. Robert- on of the Giants and Cy Williams of he Cubs had twelve each while Cra- 1th of the Phillies had eleven. Benny auff of the Giants and Zach Wheat ¢ the Brooklyns had nine each. Sev- fral of the batsmen had from four b six during the last season. Pitchers Likely to Be Hard Hit. This rule to push the fences back 270 feet isn’t by any means the Iy change the Joint Rules commit- e will consider. They will also ke up Percy D. Ilaughton's sug- new in ar ldelphia, come can- meri an swer = N tho: home Ban X on John cre only We Are Catering to Afternoon Bowling Pin Men Always on Hand AETNA ALLEYS, Church Street SMOKE OXMOOR A MILD, PLEASANT Sc¢ CIGAR will § i tier, the French soldie ' gestions designed to increase the bat- ting by stripping the pitchers of some of their prized prerogatives. The two principal changes suggested are to limit the foul strikes to one |and to give a batsman his base on three balls instead of four. President Ban Johnson will prob- ably suggest a new rule, too, to do away with the intentional pass. This is a feature of baseball which is con- | there is a strong inclination among the club the practice of giving a strong bats- man his base purposely at a critical [ point of the game instead of giving him a chance to hit the ball. The meeting of the Rules commit- | tee is also likely to bring about legi: lation of some kind against the moist ball and the use of other artifici Imeans to make pitching more effec- | tive. This same committee, which no difficulty in its work, as in cities where there are two clubs, each club jopens the season, every other year. It is generally understood that the season this vear will begin on 12 and that the Giants will open at home with Brooklyn, while the Yank- {ees will open with the Athletics in { Philadelphia. RICKARD IS PEEVED AT INTERFERENCE Promoter Says Rivals Are Aiming to Prevent Carpentier’s Coming York, Dec, 27.—Tex Rickard has a grievance and, while he does not indulge in loud lament, those cold blue eves of his sparkied dangerously last night as he spoke of the matter that disturbed him, “I had the honor to the bring Georges Carpen- -boxer, to this New initiate movement to country for a boxing bout. I do not declare that T was actuated by phil- anthropy. But I did suggest that the release of the French champion would probably result in the French war re- lief funds gaining materially. This suggestion met with the ap- proval of number of prominent American women who are interested in war relief work. They lent their a tance to the movement and have been untiring in their efforts to obtain a furlough for Carpentier. The boxer is more than willing to come, which he has signified by signing the con- sent to him. a tract I Poisoned Pen Notes, “It was therefore with considerable astonishment that I learned definitely | that certain boxing managers in this been employing all their spare time in writing letters to the French military autharities protesting city have | against the granting of a furlough tot Carpentier. While 1 do not think ! these letters will defeat the plan they have had the effect of delaying action by the French officials. “It seems strange that a plan of the | magnitude of the one I started can- | not be permitted to proceed without the petty attacks to which it has been subjected. However, in spite of this interference I will succeed in my un- dertaking.” Les Darcy held an *“at home” day his hotel yesterday of callers. Among the first was Chevalier Dan McKetrick, who regaled the Aus- tralian with statements to the effect that he had leased Madison Square Garden, had signed Carpentier ana that if Darcy wished a match with the Frenchman this was the time to sign a contract. Thereupon Darcy whispered to Manager O’Sullivan and Manager O’Sullivan whispered to Rickard, who was close at hand. at Some Sound Advice, “Certainly,” sald Rickard, business with any one, but see to it that they put up the money before you sign any contract. Get the amount of money you can, sure you get it in coin largest but male rather than I promises.” % i Later Jack Curley entered and en- gaged Darcy conversation, while Rickard and Sam McCracken sat on the other side of the room. Curly asked for a conference with Darcy in private. When Rickard was appealed to he advised Darcy to have a private ceaference, but to insist on the money before signing any documents. Darcy has not as yet Belected any | theatrical circuit, but is considering the various offers. He will begin to look about today for training quar- ters. in BRANSFIELD AN UMPIRE, New York, Dec. 27.-—Kitty Brans- field, the former first baseman of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh clubs, hag been appointed a National league umpire by President John K. Tener. Bransfleld was an umpire in the In- ternational league last seascn, | tinually hissed by baseball fans, and | owners to favor eliminating | “Talk ; | will | {also draw up the schedule, anticipates | | April | New York, Dec. 27.—Age seems to be no handicap in ice skating—that is, if one is to judge by the perform- | William Thomas i vears old. against thirt ve, Letts of a family of outdistanced ance of Let sev- on ! senior | noted { his son | half-mile | enty-five his Frank, age the patriarch speed skaters, Frank in an sprint at the St. Nicholas rink here recently. Trank Letts, the son, was champion speedster of New Jersey | {from 1901 to 1905. Although the elder Letts has never taken part in skating matches, for the reason, as he gives it, that he would miss the fun looking on, he has always been | structor | feet. William Letts, Seventy-Five Year Old Skater, Shows His Heels to Son in Race | What af sighing—what of song? | As 1 pass the deal to Fate; | As I leave the future flat, | That Doc Time alone can lift, | Why not pike along and take | Sporting chances as they break? keen for pacing during practice of his son and his two nephews, liam T.etts, national amateur cham- pion ten years ago and now chief in- at o san Irancisco rink, and Arthur Le said to the fastest 200-pound ice skater in this count: Mr. Letts hung close behind his son for about six laps and then began 10 s d himself. He got the lead and finally outnosed his son by three Mr. Letts was born in Mana- hawkin, N. J., and is a veteran of the Civil war. He learned ice skating on the little of Barnegat bay. He followed for years the racing career of his son and nephews and has never forsaken his favorite sport. he arms DOHERTY QUITS COACHING. Harvard Assistant at Wisconsin Re- | tires From Football Stafr, W Dec, —With the departure of Quarterback Coach John for Boston nouncement that the matter of as: = ant foothall coaches for Dr. Paul Withington will not be determined by Athletic until the spring. Tomeso tirement for the woolen husines: Madison, Doherty came the an- the Wisconsin sociation | oucy’s Dick America, and the gencral belief that Doherty | will be engaged in business in the leave the assistant coaching stripped of all but Howard only non-Harvard man on ington’s staff. Wisconsin Har with the installation ton as chief coach, with four ass threc from the Camt school. The em was satisfactor to the students, though the team scored few victori King's departure for South st staff Buck, the Dr. With- ardized its of Dr. Withing- TOLEDO SIGY Toledo, Dec, manager of baseball S HARTZEL —TRoger Rre: han, the local American club, announced Hart- York Association today that he had signed Roy zell, former captain of the New Americans, to third hase Toledo. Hartzell He was declared a free agent last fall by the New York club, having served ten years on the team Bre: said his object in signing Har to have an experienced me third corner. play now is in Denver. BUDDY ASKS $2,500. Haven, w. Hammell, manager of Buddy Faulkes, New Dec. —John the Waterbury bantam was here ves- terday and appeared quite elated over Buddy’s prospects of climbing into a with Wilde He h offered $2,000 expenses to make the trip and do 20 | rounds, but is holding an- other $500. Expecting the figure Hammell says that the bout should ring Jimmy s been and battle for out for | pleted. football | | Madden come off e time in February. ARE PAID. SIX-DAY CYCLIS 2 and Dupuy Get $5.000 of $17,000 in Prize Money. Dec 7.—The last piece of business connection with the bievele race, which terminated at transacted morning, riders who par- ticipated in the contest were paid off. the event M. v-sixth street New York, in night Madison Square was vesterday when the This concluding feature of took in the office of John Chapman, de of the Garden, and consumed considerable time before it was com- In all about $17,000 was di tributed in . moneys and bonuses among the fourteen teams which arted in the grind, and everything was arranged with isfaction to all parties concerned, Eggand/Dupuy, winners 6f the race, topped the list of prize winners with $5,000, while the team of Root and came in for second money 000: McNamara and Spears zot 2,000, Kaiser and Cameron $1,000: Hill and Drobach $600, and Walthour and De Baetes $400. The remaining sum of $5,000 was dis- tributed among the other competitors in the race in the form of bonuse The as the largest ever dis day bicycle race. ghtly more from a financial viewpoint Al Grenda, who was in- place on the Twen with $§ tributed for he event th successful i last the hig Australian rider, jured during the last day was sufficiently recovered vesterday to be up and around. He broke his | collarbone in two places, but it is ex- | pected that he will recover from the injury within three weeks. Carman, of the Carman-Wiley team, who also received injuries in the race, was at the offices of the management yester- day with a broken rib, which, it is| expected, will he entire mended in‘ a short time. The next six-day hic,vr;lc; race will be staged in Chicago, and; the majority of the riders yesterday | expressed their willingness to enter this event. | WILLIE ¢ Mexico Ci MITH IS DEAD, Dec. 27.—Willie Smith, golf professional the Mexican Country club formerly national open champion of America, died here today. Pneumonia was the cause of death. at and | about James Braid, dead, still go for | James | nizing the widespread human way of | volved in Les Darcy’s departure from | Australia, his arrival in America has wil- | of the race, ; { cashed jcan’t be stopped. | But with such wide discontent abroad PORT rid Beyond the Beyond. Once I looked ahead to see What the new trail held for me; Where Fate turned the mystic leaf, What of pleasure—what of grief? Once 1 struggled to explore What the next turn had in store: Where the road's bend came along, Now, I'm quite content to wait Vow I let it go at that Since the fog lies on the shift By Way of Explanation—The re- marks offered in these dispatches Braid, living. Which, recog- overspreading the salve in death, is as tidy a tribute as any man can claim, The Darcy Boom, Whatsoever be the moral ethics in- lifted the sagging fight game back again to an upright position. Darcy has imparted a terrific im- petus to the sport, which now gives pramise of providing more than one great feature. He comes heralded as “another Fitzsimmons.” 1If this her- aldry is 60 per cent. true it will be sufficient. We expect to see another Fitzsimmons on the same day we see “another Cobb.” But 60 per cent. Fitz will be enough to carry Darcy safely through., After all, it seems a queer turn that America, with her full crop at hand, has to serld to Great Britain and France for fighting material to restare the game, where Britain and France together have over nine million of their best men in the fleld bevond the ropes. If arcy can show any margin over | Dillon, Miske, Levinsky or Gibbons as a starter he will be well on his way. For if he can trim one declsively he | can very likely upset the others, who | Jook to be 50-50 or neck and neck. \ 1 Clean Sport and Such. They are always, one way or an- other, lambasting some form of' crookedness in sport. ! But if any form of sport, even wrestling at its sourest aspect, ap- proached the recent alignment be- tween Washington politics and Wall ! Street finance, the velp would rise to heaven. They can get by with things in poli- tics and finance that would turn a Turkish wrestler sick around the so- | called stomach. And representatives | of each are constantly charging that some form of sport isn’t on the level. Travers and Ouimet. We hope that in some way 1917 can bring about a change that 1916 lackeéd. This will be the return of Jerry Travers and Francis Ouimet to amateur competitive golf. Travers and Ouimet between them, from 1912 to 1916, a matter of only four vears, won three amateur cham- pionships and two open titles, prace tically ruling the fleld until, for dif- ferent reasons, they were forced to desist. With Travers the year's retirement was voluntary. In Ouimet's case thae abdication was forced. Travers hopes to find a bit more time for golf recrea- tion this season, and it is the desire of almost every lover of clean sport in America, a desire approaching 95 per cent. of the total, that some change can be made in the present rule to bring Ouimet back. Ouimet, after winning the open championship in 1913, could have made $20,000 if he had wanted to capitalize his skill through moving pictures and vaude- | ville. He is still, for all practical purposes, in the same business he was in two vears before he won anything. The committee, of course can only en- force the rule that may exist. If some one could devise a rule that would prevent any man from capital- izing or profiting from his skill or su- premacy, that would be something | else. But sporting skill, from the| present amount of publicity given, | means advertising. And advertising means business. We know, far example, than one golfer Who more money in other his golf ill, than in from his trade, These are things that And unless all| can be stopped it becomes hard to draw the line. We have no doubt at all that such a member of the golf committee as Howard Whitney, for example, has what he believes to be the best interests of the game at heart. of more has made lines from Ouimet has sporting sup- ply it is evident now that some change must be made that will not let the many go and fall -upon the few. Certainly no one wants a condition to exist where every promising young golfer will be given inducements to rush into the golf supply business; or for every coming tennis star to be lifted abruptly into the tennis supply LIGHT Grantland Rice before he developed skill or success upon the field, that is another affair. It is hardly fair then to either drive him aut of that business or drive him into professional ranks, NEW CHESS RECORD SET Marshall, American Champion Sets New Figure for Simultaneous Play in Great Display ot Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pa., Dec J. Marshall, American chess pion yesterday established a world's record for playing simultaneous games when he met 136 opponents in the Curtis auditorium Seventh and Sansome streets. Play started at 2:20 o'clock, and final adjournment was taken at 11 o’clock tonight. The first to acknowledge Marshall's superiority was B. Albert. At 4 o'clock he announced that he was satisfied. John Chamberlin and Louis Hopper ,both members of thé Frank- lin Chess club of this city, did not prove so easy for the master. Both drew with Marshall, Chamberlin, who is captain of the Princeton university chess team, turning an even break in fifteen moves, and Hopper, a court stenographer, in the county. The former record for simultaneous play was 105 games performed by Mar- shall in Washington, D. C. Frank cham- MIKE GIBBONS WILLING. Offer of Bout With Darcy in New Orleans Is Accepted. New Orleans, La., Dec. 27.—A local boxing promoter announced yesterday receipt of a telegram from Mike Gib- bong manager at St. Paul accepting the offer of a'New Orleans club for a fight here during February with Les Darcy, Australian middleweight. A $15,000 purse was offered. No word has as yet been received re- garding Darcy’s reception of the offer. Marshall Sets New Chess Record---Other Sports\ ST. ELMO ON TOP Are Not Good Workmen to Dispose of ;u United Mechanics Enough the Pythian Carpet Bowlers. After a brief rest occasioned by the holiday vacation, the carpet bowl- ers got back to work again last eve- ning on the rinks in Lee's hall. The St. Elmo lodge K. of P. and New Britain council O. U. A. M." were the contestants, the former heing the victor, score 55 to 38. The Mechan- ics started off like a house afws, winning the first rink. by a substan- tial lead, but in the second and third rinks the representatives of the O. U. A. M. fell down badly. This is par- ticularly true in the third rink where the Pythians won by the one-sid®sd score of 27 to 7. The results on the various rinks follow: Rink 1, St. Elmo lodge K. of P, Ptolmey skip, 11, New Britain coun- cil O. U. A. M., Fairbanks skip 20. Rink 2, St. Elmo lodge K. of R, Spence skip, 17, New Britain counetl, O. U. A. M., Rockwell skip, 11. Rink 3, St. Elmo lodge K. of P., Bloodgood skip, 27, New Britain council O. U. A. M., Wilcox skip, 7. Frederick lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Plainville will play Sir Franeis Drake lodge Sons of St. George this evening. PE; N TUNES UP. Urquhart Only Player Unable to Join Eleven in Workout, Albuquerque, N. M., Dec. 27.—Bob Folwell and his husky football war- riors who will give battle with Oregon at Pasadena on New Years Day, &e- trained for a short workout here yes- terday, having pulled in at the littie Santa Fe depot just twenty-four hours behind their schedule. The only man who was unable ta take the much needed exercise was Clem Urquhart, whe is suffering from an infected f6ot, { Urquart was unable to get his shoes on this morning, and Coach Folwell has practically given up hope to use him in the Oregon game. He used Al Crane at left end in the workout here today, and while ‘vhe shawed up remarkably well, Penn will miss the speed of Urquhart. Folwell believes that Crane will fill his shoes better than any man on the team. Providing no further delays are en- countered, the team should Teath Pasadena around 2 o'clock this after- noon. Yesterday's brief workout was the first the boys have enjoyed sineé leaving Philadelphia last Friday. busine: But if a man had been en- gaged in the sporting supply business CLOSED OUR DOORS Thursday and Friday To Remark and Rearrange Our Gigantic Clothing Stock Sale Begins Saturday, December 30th Watch the Newspapers N. Y. SAMPLE $10-$12-$15 SHOP 357 Main Street, New Britain