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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1905)
THE BTOvDSY OHjEGTOnAN, PORTLAND, AUGUST 20, 1905 CURRENT GOSSIP IN THE WORLD OF SPORT Fast Horses Sell Cheaply at Irvington New President Is Wanted for Pacific Coast League. IJ CHANGE IN HIE Football Is' Practically Un changed by New Rules. WALTER CAMP EXPLAINS Long Runs Just as Frequent as in Past More Accurate Deter mining of Scrimmage Iiine Possible. Walter Gamp, dean of football, has wrJUoa the following in tho new foot ball ralos: While there was much discussion, both publicly and privately, regarding possible changes in the football rules for the season of 1806, and while the rules committee held protracted meet ings devoted to those discussions, no radical allotments were made. It Is probably not unfair to say that the majority of players and coaches wore, to say the least, not displeased at tho final resolution, although a good many of the others would have been willing to make a trial of the rule In sisting upon a greater number of yards to be gained had there been greater unanimity In Its advocacy; They were not overanxious to attempt this, and would have done it rather in the hope that it would satisfy some who were demanding a more open game than because the quakers themselves destrod any alteration. One of tho best explanations ad vanced of some of the criticisms by older players was put forward this Summer by a man who played on ono of the loading toams nearly a score of years ago. Ho said: "I have discussed this matter with a groat many football players In the last year, and have become convinced tnat th ore are just as many long runs made nowadays In tho course of a sea son as there were made In my time. "When a man is an undergraduate he sees all the small games, as well as ono or two big games. That Is why the undergraduate Is satisfied with tho game of today, and believes In Its pos sibilities just as wo did In our time. "In our time we made a good many long runs .in the minor games, but. In the ono or two big games tho long runs were very limitod. Now, as grad uates, and there are many others so situated, we do not got back to see any of the small games, but see only the big one, and contrasting it with what we saw of football In our under graduate days, whon we witnessed the lessor games, wo bogln to think that there are not as many long runs made as wore made in the old times. I think the game of today has greater pos sibilities in it than our game and Is quite as interesting." This Is only the view of one man, but it throws some new light on tho question, and. perhaps may give my readers a bettor view of the point. In the first edition of the rules boolc there Is an error to which attention snould be called. The committee In creased the ponalty of side line coach ing from five yards to ton yards, and this is duly recorded under rule 27-F. t'nder. however, tho grouping of pen alties, rule 2S, this coaching is grouped under Ave yards, instead of ten yards. An errata slip has boen printed cover ing this point, but some of those re ceiving early copies of tho rules will lind tnent without this alteration. Ope of the changes in the rules has ben the more accurate determining of the line of scrimmage. It has already been argued that under this new rule greater freedom is allowed. Possibly that may be so literally, but as a mat ter of fact there was considerable lati tude In the way this rule was Inter preted last year, and the new rule really limits it more carefully It has also been suggested that un der the new rule, if a man standing back merely roached his arm forward, he would be within the limits described in tho rule. Those who suggest this should remember that the rule reads that "the line of scrimmage is an imaginary line parallel to the goal line and passing through the front point of the ball." Hence a man must stoop over there to roach with his hand within one foot of this line. More careful legislation has been di rected at false etarts made to draw the opponent off-side, either by the snapper back or by tho players of the side in possession of the ball. But by far the most important, of the alterations is the definite instruction to the referee to blow his whistle lm medlatoly the forward progress' of the ball Is stopped, thus In a measure doing away with the rapidly growing and very detrimental feature of steal ing the ball whon its progress has beon stopped and when the ball was really "dead." There is nothing that so irritates the average player as to have the ball taken away from him after it Is "downed." and it is this fact that sometimes led to bad feeling betwoen the players. It was certainly on the increase in the Eastern foot ball games last season ,and one of the principal differences between Eastern and "Western football was the earlier blowing of the whistle by the referee when the forward progress of the ball was stopped, and the distinctly great er confidence displayed by the players of the "Wost and the certainty of the referee determining with accuracy who had the ball and the point where it was "downed." "Western play was quicker on this account and more satisfactory. One very excellent change in the rules has been that providing that substitute when sent on to the field must report to the official before tak ing his place in line. The sending out of substitutes to take the place of players when these players still clung to tholr positions, and the general dis cussion ensuing, or even more than 11 playors being engaged at a time, were pome of the disagreeable features of last season, and this rule will aid much in putting an end to that diffi culty. Some few years ago there were one nr two trick plays depending upon a man lining out of bounds when the ball was put In play. This has now been logipinted againt definitely, and a provision has been made that at the time when tho ball is put in play no player shall be out of bounds except the man who may be holding the ball for a play trick. One other point was taken up by the committee, and that was the question of how far a linesman should go in giving information regaxding time to the captains of the teams. The rule or iginally read: 'The linesman should no . , 4 . , , - I tify the captafns of the time remaining to play not more than ten or less than five minutes before the nd of half," and at the time when this legislation was passod no especial difficulty had been expected. It was found, howev er, that some official wou,ld give the time once to both captains, and then would refuse to give any further in formation at any time. It was hardly the intention of the rulcmakers orig inally to prevent the captains knowing approximately how much time re mained for play, and a rule has been passed this year to the effect that the linesman may give tho approximate time to the captain who inquires at any Xlme during the game. In order, however, to provide against his bolng harassed with questions every few sec onds or tho delay of tho game Incident to such inquiries, a note has been made as follows: "There Is no objection to tho lines man giving the approximate time to an Inquiring captain at any time during the game. He may net, however, fee asked for the time more than throe times within the last five minutes of the half." mm Some difficulty was found last yor with the rule allowing the quarter back to run in that it stated "that he must run at least five yards on the side of the snapper-back. The snappor back was apt to be moving, and this made quite a difforence, the Intention of the rule having been manifestly that the man should run at least Ave yards out from the position of the snapper-back when he put the ball in play. This rule has, therefore, been amendod this year to road: "The first man receiving tho ball from tho snapper-back may carry the ball forward, provided he" crosses the line of scrimmage at least! five yards outside of the point where tho ball was snapped." This covers the many changes, and. as will bo seen, they do not radically affect the method of play. LIFE OP BOXERS 15 THEY SEIDOM EARN" BIG SUMS REPORTED. Expenses Are Large, While tlic Fight Promoters Get Large Share of Receipts. The reports that have been circulating from tlmo to time that boxers oarn fab ulous sums of money In the ring have led the public to believe that the life of the pugilist Is one of milk and honey, and that his path Is strewn with the tradi tional roses, says an exchange. Thesa re ports arc misleading. The life of the successful boxer Is any thing but what it is painted. Whon a boxer wins the large end of a purs-3 the statisticians get busy Immedi ately and figure out how the victor was enriched so many thousands of dollars for each minute he was engaged in actual boxing. "It was an enormous house," they will say; "there must have been fully 160,000 at the gate, and, of course, as Johnny Blotz won in three rounds, and his share must have been at least $30,000, he Just cleaned up $10,000 to the round pretty nearly 14000 a minute and we'll bet if the truth were known and John had been given a fair count at the gate, his bit would oasily have been $4000 a minute, possibly more." How different from the reality. The average $50,000 gate, ,whon it is countod by the promoters and representatives of the boxers, each of whom has anywhero from one to twelve men "looking out for my end," dwindles down to probably $26. 003 or $28,000, for argument's sake. Sel dom over that. Club Gets Its Share. Of this amount, in the majority of cases, the club retains 0 por cent, which leaves $14,000 for the boxers. Here and there the percentage may vary, but It Is the cxcoptlon rather than the rule. Then this $14,000 is to be divided be tween the two contestants. In many cases the money Is evenly divided; occa sionally it is split CO and 49, and some times 65 to the winner and 36 to the loser. "We will compute on the last basis. Sixty-five per cent of $14,009 is $8109. out of which amount the boxer's manager will get anywhere from 26 to 60 per cent. It has takon probably six weeks of ardu ous training to prepare for the battle, frightful deprivations if ho is making weight, and the worry and annoyance that are Incidental to a fix weeks' spoil in the gymnasium and on the road. Then an army of trainers, rubbers, box ing partners and seconds must be paid. Of course where John trained there are several menials who must be remembered with small presents. Ono of the best proofs is in the small number of boxers who have amassed a competency. "While many of thorn have laid aside snug sums for future refer ence, it is doubtful If there are over a half dozen boxer, either active or re tired, who are worth $Ti0.O00, earned In the ring. Few Earn Big Sum. "While Jt Is palpably impossible to oor. rectly estimate tho wealth of any class of people, owing to values appreciating and depreciating, it is pretty safe to say that Tommy Ryan, Tom Sharkey, Phila delphia Jack O'Brien, Jim Jeffries and possibly Jim Corbott and Jimmy Brftt, will reach the half-century mark. It isn't at all likely that any have beon left out. Joe Choynskt, Gus Ruhlln, Jack Boot and several others will always have some thing to fall back on, but It isn't likely that they class with the first-named group. Several other boxers, like Billy Myer and Alex Greggains, havo made large sums of money since retiring from the ring, but It was olther as a superin tendent of race tracks, a restaurateur or a politician, their respective callings, that made tholr money. TELL STORY OF JAMES LYXCII Player Refused to Chase Ball Batted Into the River. In tho long time ago, James Lynch, the Southern League umpire, was a catcher of high repute. In those days the mask, the chest protector and buggy cushions for mitts were unknown, and the balls contained more rubber and were also harder than a flint rock. Lynch stood behind the batsman and handled the speediest kind of pitching with bare hands and a rubber plate be tween his teeth, which helped his mouth some, but not his nose by a long shot. And to hold line throws on bases with bare fins was a feat that would try the courage of a Spartan. The style of mtung men was to swing ana drive the ball, if possible. Into the adjoining coun ty, and it was often done. Once when all the outfielders were run off their feet in chasing files to all parts of the sub urbs, a countryman from Flowery Branch with a bludgeon hewed from a hickory sapling lifted the ball toward South ruver. That Tf: too much for the jaded gents In the outer gardens, and the center fielder yolled to the umpire. "Say, mister, get a cavalryman to get that ball; I'm a sprint runner and no good for dis tance." No cavalryman being handy, the game was called and the ball is going ouiii. p iajii.u .iiu no uau id bull' yet. Jn all probability. Cincinnati Post. INT I -PRESIDENT Clubs in Coast League Look for Bert's Successor.. NO ONE IN SIGHT AS YET Chase for the Pennant Promises to Be an Interesting One, With the Clubs Well Bunched at Present Time. The Pacific Coast League mooting, which Is to be held la this city noxt Thursday, will have some Important questions to decide, and much interest Is bolng mani fested In baseball clrclos as to the in tention of the magnates rogardlng points of importance that will come up for ac tion. Probably the most Important piece of business that will occupy the attention of the meeting will be the choosing of a successor to President Bert. Eligible candidates for this important post are very few. and as yet no name has beon montloned that Is likely to be' settled upon for this office. "W. W. McCredle. vice-president of the league, and at pres ent directing Its affairs, has positively refused to permit his name to be men tioned ap a candidate, for he has press ing business Interests that occupy his time and attention that would preclude his acting in that capacity. Danny Long, one of the most prominent men in baseball circles on the Coast, has also been named as a possibility, but he also has declined the office for business reasons. At present writing it seems as though the office will devolve upon some dark horse. Other matters of Importance will be the discussion and probable adoption of a circuit for the coming year, and also a new arrangement In the matter of divis ion of gate receipts, and also a probable discussion of tho reduction of the 36 cent admission fee. As far as this taut Itom Is concerned, only one city In the league has gone on record as being op posed to the extra 10 cents, and unless some of the other clubs come forward at the meeting and ask that the present fee be reduced to the oW standard it is not likely to receive much consideration. The plans for a circuit will occupy much of the attention of the magnates for this, all Important question. Rumors have beon in circulation for some time to the effect that Taooma was to be dropped next season, but just how much truth there is to the rumor cannot authoritative ly be stated, for tho magnates are non committal on this subject. At all events. this meeting of the league will be an in teresting one, for several new measures relative to tho governing of the organiza tion will be introduced. Secretary B. C. Ely, of the Portland Club, is planning a new and more satisfactory manner of detailing the financial affairs of the league, which have been run In an en tirely unsatisfactory manner in the past, for it has been almost impossible for the several clubs to get a financial statement except at lengthy periods. All the clubs In the league havo become bunched In the chase for the pennant of the second half, which was Inaugurated a couple of weeks ago. The Seattle club, which started off like a whirlwind, has suffered a slump and has been displaced from tho lead. Portland Is In somewhat of a rut Itself, for none of the locals are hitting the ball and are slumping In other -departments as well. The opening games of the San Francisco series have been marked by weak hitting on both sides, but the local contingent will recover their batting prowess shortly and then some pitchers will suffer a sorles of drubbings. A good hitting club like that of McCre dies cannot stay on the toboggan all season, and it is about? due to break loose. Substitute Hitters Bnt Poorly. Out of 103 times that men have been sent In to bat for somebody else In the National League this season 17 hits have boon made. This would give a batting GOSSIP OF THE DIAMOND "Spec" Hurlburt Loses Out in Oklahoma City Danny Shay Slated for Manager of St. Louis Team. PEC" HURLBURT, who once graced a Portland uniform. Is In trouble again. Hurlburt Is a natural ball player, but his lovo for "booze" lias caused him to be fired from almost every club he ever signed a contract with. Only recently "Spec" was playing great ball for Oklahoma City. He tumbled off the water wagon, was fined $100. and now has been kicked out bodily. , Danny Shay, who formerly played short for the San Francisco team, is said to be slated for the management of tho St. Louis team. Danny is well known In Portland and on the Coast, and his many friends would be glad to hear of his being made manager. There Is some talk of Oakland releasing Brick Devereaux. The old Red Dog" has fallen off la his batting and may be turned adrift. Since this news became bruited about, it is said that Rubs Hall, manager of the Slwashes, will get busy with Devereaux, in case he Is turned loose. Coachers of the Devereaux type are scarce. He is a player always full of pepper, and he would be greatly missed by the Coast League fans. Happy Hogan Is the only player In the Pacific Coast Loague who has a name for each of his bats. "Hap" has some choice sticks, and he was as particular about naming them as a mother Is her children. As a rule, players don't care to have other players use their tools, but they seldom refuse a loan when one is asked. The other day Emerson Induced Hegan to loan him "Jeanette" while he went to bat. "Hap" was afraid some thing would happen to "Jeanette," which is a slick-looking stick and nicely shaped. Sure enough. Emerson cracked poor "Jeanette's" neck and slip Is now con signed to some woodpile or incinerated. Hogan felt badly overthc loss of "Jean otic," for she was his" favorite bat. but he still has left "Betsey," "Lucy" and "Anette." "Hap" left "Anna" at home on a vacation, but he will take her on his next trip. "Betsey" Is the largest bat of the bunch and Hogan only uses her when he feels real strong and wants to crack a long fly to the outfield to scare a runner from third. Truck Eagan oc casionally carries "Betsey" up, as he Is partial to big sticks. "The greatest play I ever saw on tho diamond." said Napoleon Lajoie, the other day, "was made by Charlie Jones, form erly of Denver, the center fielder of the Nationals, the team that Jake Stahl start ed out to clean uo the American League with this year ' Bay. wag n sesondJij whn average for such cases of .170. which Is, no doubt, less than a majority of the sub stituted batsmen have ordinarily. "While good hitters are not sidetracked In a pinch to let somebody else bat for them. It Is probably the case that more men who ere sidetracked are batting better than .170 than men who are not batting that well. According to the figures, It docs not look as if tho practice Is a pay ing one, but as all managers do It, it must be for the best. LAJOIE 3IADE LONGEST HIT. Nichols Says Cleveland Leader Bat ted Ball Hardest. Pittsburg Commercial. While the Pirates and Quakers wore waiting for the raindrops to cease a few days ago sevoral of the players and their friends started a fanning bee. Naturally, they were hopeful of again striking a winning gait, now that Nichols has proved that he Is yet the terror of old to bats men. Someone asked Nichols what player had ever made the hadrest hit off him. "Nick" modestly replied that many of his curves bad been slammed to and over the fence, and he didn't oxactly recall who to give the credit to. An outsider settled the question, even Nichols and Manager Duffy agreeing. "The hardest hit ever made off Nichols," said the fan, "I boll eve. must have boen mado at Philadelphia Park. It was on a Fourth of July, a few years ago, and Lajoie made the hit. Nichols and Duffy must recall the drive, for both of them we-s m the game. 'Boston had beaten tho Phillies a very close game In the morning. In the after noon Nichols went on the rubber for the Beaneaters and Duffy was playing left field. The first time Lajoie came to the bat ho landed on the ball for fair. There was a terrific crash as the bat met the ball. The ball never raised afted It left tho Infield. It sailed on a line about 15 feet high straight for the Infield fence. It passed over Duffy's head beforo Hughey could get a sight on it, and it landed with a thump against the balcony on Lehigh avenue, about 20 feet In from the foul line. "By that time Duffy had turned to run back to the wall. He had scarcely got started whon he pulled up. for after hit ting the balcony the ball camo back toward Duffy with a rush like a wave after hitting the beach. Duffy didn't take ten steps when the ball got back to him. and Hughey grabbed and hurled it to Bobby Lowe at second base, who nearly, caught Lajoie before he could get to sec ond base on the drive." Duffy, and Nichols remembored the drive, and both agreed that they thought Lajoie deserved the credit for hitting a curve by the latter harder than any other batsman. Many a Philadelphia rootor, too, will remember tho terrific drive mado by Lajoie that Fourth of July afternoon. MAY EARL IS TALKED ABOUT Mnrc Trots. Some Fast Miles nt tho Lexington Track. May Earl, a handsome 4-year-old mare. Is tho most talked about animal at the Lexington 'track. The Stock Farm says she is a 4-year-old bay mare by San Ma teo (2:12), son of Simmons (2:2S). dam Annie Earl, by Earlmont. In nor 3-year-old form In 1904 she trotted a trial mllo in 2:10V4. caught by a dozen watches, and a few days ago stepped the full length of the Lexington Fair grounds track in 2:69& driven by Mike Boworman. In working this mile May Earl trotted tho last half in 1:044. and the last quarter in 0:31. Twenty minutes later she was driven a mile in about 2:12. it being her fourth mile that day. No other 4-year-old trotter has ever equaled this work over the Lexington track In July. May Earl possesses a pure gait and trots on her own courage. She Is owned by John B. Stewart, who also owns her 2-year-old full sister, a good-gaited filly that has already beaten 2:30 In her work. New Kick on Four-Strike Rule. Before, the advent of the foul strike rule many left-handed batters wero "dead" left field hitters, smashing hot ones over third base or poking short files just back of the third baseman and In too close for the left fielder. Then along came the foul-strike rule, and all that was cut out, for the batter didn't daro tako a chance of fouling off a lot of good ones until he got just the one he wanted and could plant it In the proper place. It was hit It out or lay it down when the foul-strike rule got busy. Pittsburg Telegraph. play came off. Flick hit tho ball to right center, a low drooolng fly. Jones went after It as hard as he could tear, grab bing it,, on the dead run as far from the diamond as tho Cleveland right flekl bleachers are from the base line. "Almost without letting up his speed, Jones whirled, and without seeming to tako aim shot the ball to Nlll, on third base. It was not a bound, but a dead line throw, and the bail went Into NUl's hands as if it had been tossed from ten feet away. "Bay had gone to third as only he can sprint the moment tho catch was made, yet Nlll had him out by a step. Umpire Kelly called Bay safe, but the decision was an error, as every ono who saw tho play admitted. I hardly expect to see that play duplicated." When called upon recently to schedule in a police court appeal case. Involving as a defendant a friend of Tom Sharkey, the ex-sailor modestly admitted that he was "$200,000 strong." Not at all bad for a pug who. with the utmost difficulty, is just able to sign his name to the. bottom of a check. Spider Weir Is another -of tho thrifty sort. Tho ex-feather-weight, onco accused of throwing a fight In San Fran cisco, a fight In which he was a heavy favorite, and which he lost, justified the coup by paraphrasing tho then popular ditty, "Down Wont McGlnty," in the fol lowing fashion: Down went the Spider in the mlddlo of the floor; Although he wasn't hurt, he wouldn't fight no more. Next day he had more money than ho ever had before. And a whole stack o' new suits o clothes. Hoffman has yet to show the fans that he is any improvement over RunkU. Not that he isn't playing a nice game at third and may do a great deal better after he gets Into his stride. He has not shown that he Is specially strong at the bat yet. but ho may also Improve with the stick. The fame of King Fisher's Royal Ben gals Is spreading and it may be that when the season is over here they will have an opportunity to show our new possessions in the Orient how the great naUonal pastime should be played. Since the American occupation of the Philip pines baseball has taken a great hold on the natives, and it Is said some of the Filipino teams are becoming adepts In the sport of sports. There are many very fair clubs recruited from the boys In blue and it Is said If the Tigers cross tits Pacific they will find focnaen worthy T Owners Who "Went Broke" Are Forced to Sell. GOOD HORSES CHEAPLY GOT Animnls Worth Five Hundred Dol lars Apiece Bring About One Fourth That Sum at the Irvington Sale. At loast a few of the horseowners who wero broke becauso the races were stopped here, now have money and. will get out of Portland as quick ly as the trains will carry them. With Billy Magrane on tho auction block yesterday afternoon, these men parted company with horses that wero In their stables. Many of them went to local buyers, while some of them wero sold to men who will take them to Spokane and a number were sold to trainers and owners who wero fortu nate to havo money left. Only a few of the horses that were offered for salo by Mr. Magrane wore retained by their owners. W. Lynch retained Dot terel, so was April's Pride retained by her owner. Max Beo and Pincushion and one or two others were bid In by thoso who entered them for sale. Fred Merrill bought Sally Goodwin anJ Amlnte. Sally Goodwin is an Oe gon"bred mare and, although she Is old, she can yet step out and beat the best of them. Ex-Councilman Merrill bought the two mares for breeding pur poses and will send them to his ranch at once. Billy Novell bought Skip Me. and paid $150 for a mare that under ordinary circumstances ho would havo been obliged to have paid $500. Harry Cosgrove, of Spokane, bought Rosebud. Judge Thomas and Joo Jewltt, but he turned and sold him to a member of the hunt club. In turn he bought Sir Christopher, who was bid in by W. Ayers. The others were sold to tho follow ing: Molio, J. Jackson. $185; April's Pride, Dr. Fehr, $400; Aurora B.. H. Cosgrove, $260; Judgo Thomas, H. Cos grove. $153; Sallle Goodwin. F. T. Mer rill. $200; Joo Jewett. H. Cosgrovo, $190; Stimy, W. M. Davis, $130; Sir Christopher, W. M. Ayers, $135; Mos- fceto, W. Gabriel. $100; Mabel Bates. W. Gabriel, $250; Skip Me, William Ne ville. $150; Laurentea, W. Durkcr, $250; Aminte. F. T. Merrill, $180; Max Bee. G. Burger. $253; Pin Cushion, L. C. Wil liams, $86; Prestano, V. Warren, $S5; Foxy Grandpa. W. P. Fine, $260; Como Again. J. Caine, $50; Rosebud, H. Cos grove, $235; Bert Davis, B. Tucker. $11; Our Choice, L. Tone. $50; Kim bcrley, J. Krause, $175; Lula Long, W. M. Davis. $50; Allot. F. Kaufman, $203; Rose of Ilila, B. Tucker, $195. ASHAMED OF LONG HIT. Baseball PInyer Remembers One no Is Not Proud Of. Cleveland Press. "It sounds queer for a ball player to say he Is ashamed of a homo run, but I can never recall one four-bagger without feel ing a little twinge of my conscience," re marked Billy Bradley, the other day. "This happened when I was with the Auburn team of the New York State Loague. It hadn't rained for six weeks. and tho diamond was as dry as a St. Clair street ash heap. "I swung hard at tho ball, and actually drove It Into the ground, or. rather, into the brittle sand and gravel, which was about a foot deep. "The ball just burrowed Its way Into tho dirt like an insect escaping from Its tor mentor. The pitcher, catcher, shortstop. and third baseman rushed up and began clawing and kicking up tho earth In an endeavor to find the ball. They did find It eventually about 6 Inches underground and not 20 feet from the plate but not until I had gone all the way around." "I'll never forget the first time I pitched of their great cunning. Judgo Ros3, of jaaniia. is a great lover of the game and he has been In communication with Fisher. If the necessary financial ar rangements can be made. It Is more than probable that Truck Eirnn will hnr a chance to make n home nm frw th na tives by batting the ball from Island to lsianu, ana Dest or axi. i? isher can unload ms vast siock or oia ana new stories and cracs on tho unsusnectlnc "FlHnlnn. They have several very good clubs in -fuanua, ana it is tnougnt a trip by the Tacoma acsrreeation vouM bo n ftnnniMnl success. En route they could play at nonoiuiu, wnere two or more teams are in exist once. At any rate. Fisher says he will tako his menagerie across if tho neeessarv Inducements arn fnrthmmfnrr It will bo some time beforo anything dciinito can be known about the trip, but the bovs are all wllllne to mV If and Mike must have some place to work off his old stories. The St. Louis National Club has mnde Tacoma an offer for Nordyke. It will not be accepted, for other clubs will put In bids for "Dyke," who Is about the best first ' baseman In the Pacific Coast League. Of course. If Tacoma sells him, he won't leave the club until the end of the season. If Nordyke is not sold he is sure to be drafted, and Tacoma can make more by selling him and beat the drafting scheme. Tho benefit given to the Tlgera upon their return to Tacoma was pretty much of a frost. The champions were wel comed homo like conquering heroes all right. Bands played, firecrackers explod ed and prominent citizens mado speeches, but when it came to digging up hard coin the Tacoma fan3 were not there. About $50 was taken in at the 'game, and not much more at the theater. When this is spilt up among 15 men the Individ ual chunks won't be large. At any rate. none of the Tigers will retire from base ball because of a surfeit of cash. Ta coma ought to have done better by their baseball stars. Since Truck Eagan played that piano solo at Tacoma. h has been pestered to death by dealers In this line of musical Instruments. It Is no telling how many concerns have Invited Truck to test their pianos, and furnish them wjth testimo nials. "I have played on your piano and found It excellent." Is what the dealers want T. Eagan to say, but he won't ac commodate. Eagan is too Immersed in baseball to be ggundlng tho ivories, and while he Is an accomplished pianist. Truck Is not particularly daffy over music. against Patsy Tebeau's old bunch." said Cheerful Hickman. "I had heard that he was a terror to young twlriers, but I wasn't quite prepared for the Innovation in pitcher-rattling he sprung on me that day. "Just as I took my place In the box and the first Cleveland player faced me Patsy ran out Into tho coacher's box. " 'Look, fellers, look!' he yelled. 'Look at what Is going to pitch for Boston to day. Ain't he protty? I'll fine any man on the team that don t make two hits today $30.' "And so he went on until I didn't know whether I was In a ball game or In insane asylum. I passed two men. hit the next one and then went to the bench." "One doesn't see that play very often on tho Cleveland grounds nowadays, but it was- common enough once," said a vet eran fan, when Selbach took Kahl's fly in the first Inning of the game the other day and then nipped Bay at the plate when Decrfoot tried to score from third. "Jakey Evans, Cleveland's old right fielder, was the boy who made the play again and again In the 60s. I remember one day when Providence was here John ny Ward had reached third with one out. Up in the grandstand were George Wesley George Howe Charlie- Bulkley and a lot of big men from down East. 'Bet you $50 Ward scores,' spoke up one of the Easterners. " 'I've got you.' said Wesley, and the money was put up In Howe's hands. Just then the batter whacked a sav age liner to right. Evans went way back under the tree In right field, on the old Cedar-avenue grounds, after the boll. It seemed an entirely improbable catch. " 'Give him the money.' said Westey. and Howe turned over the $100 to the man from down East. "As Evans leaped into the atr ami pull ed down the ball. Ward started on a slow trot toward the plate. He was still jog ging when we were stirred by a yU Straight andrue.'as If roiling on a pave meet, the bail was coming toward the plate. "Johnny quickened his pace, but too late. The ball landed squarely in Briody's hands, and Ward was out by a yard. It was probably the longest, truest throw that was ever made." "It's funny how a lucky play, an acci dental catch or hit, .will sometimes bring a player success when consistent ball playing ha3 failed to do the trick." said Bobby Lowe, of the Detroit team, to a press man the other day. "In 1SS7 I was with the Eau Claire. Wis., team of the old Northwestern League, playing a pretty good game. I thought, but some way I didn't please the management. So I sot on the bench and watched the others pray. "One day our man In center was hurt and I went out to play In his place. A ter rific liner was hit out to me. I not only misjudged It, but In turning to see where it was going, fell down and rolled over on my back. My hands naturally flew up, and do you know, the ball struck them and stuck there? "I ought to havo b'een fined $100 for misjudging the ball, but that co,tch got me a regular placo on the team and a raise In salary." Several of the Boston champions were sitting around the corridors of the Hotel Euclid talking of the great pitchers they had met. when Buck Freeman dropped into a seat beside the others. "In his day," said the Wilkesbarre boy. "Fred Klobedanz had something on all the other pitchers of the country. He was with Fall River in 1S94, when I was with Haverhill, and In one game we played against him, he struck mo out five times, nnd I'll bet a month's salary that ho didn't pitch me tho same sort of a curve twico during the game. Such an assortment of zigzag, round-the-corner, hide-and-seek aurves I never saw before nor since." JAPS BUTIXG THOROUGHBREDS Ship Valuable Stock to Improve the Breed In Island Empire. The Japanese government, through B. Hlrosawa and T. Hayashi. of Tokio. and H. Mural, of London, has closed a deal in this country for stock valued at $110. 000. and the horses will go forward on their long journey to the Island empire about August 1. starting from the Ideal stock farm at East Aurora, writes Frank B. Smith in Horse World. The purchase Includes 17 thoroughbred racers, 11 trot-tlng-bred stallions, two hackney fillies and four hackney stallions. Tho 3i nnimals thus averaged about $3233 apiece, and the sale Is regarded as one of the most Important transactions in the history of the breeding Industry. Superintendent John Bradburn, of the Ideal stock farm conducted the negotia tions for tho sellers, while the Japanese had the Invaluable experience of John Mackay, manager of the famous El Paso stable of J. B. Haggln, in their selec tions, besides a veterinary Burgeon. The animals will go from Buffalo to tho Pa cific Coast in three special cars on an express train schedule. Three careful trainers will be In charge, and when the long voyage over the Pacific Is begun they will accompany the horses until they are delivered In Japan, when they will return, home. Their expenses both ways and the usual rate of wages will be paid by the MIkado'3 government, in order that the horses may arrive in their new homes In the best possible condition. The deal was facilitated by the fact that the Ideal farm wa3 formerly known as the Villnge farm, and some four years ago tho Hamllns sold the Japanese a carload of horses which proved so satis factory that they sought another and a larger consignment from the same breeders. It is believed that when the price paid for the animals Is added to the amounts expended In bringing them to Japan, and the disbursements for wages and expenses are also Included, that the total cost of each animal will far exceed that of any other similar pur chase over made for a foreign govern ment. Mr. Hlrosawa, who has been in Buf falo for several weeks, is authority for the statement that the animals will be used solely to Improve the breed of the native horses, and that thoro will be other purchases made in the United States, but no more in the vicinity of Buffalo. Tho three representatives of Japan will now Journey to Europe, and attend tho convention of veterinary sur geons held at Budapest In August. Travelers Play Ball Game. Tho local branches of traveling men's associations engaged in a game of baseball at tho Multnomah Field yesterday afternoon, which resulted In a victory for the organisation known as tho Travelers' Protective Associa tion over tho United Commercial Trav elers by the overwhelming score of 17 to 7. Tho T. P. A. men were superior in every department of the game and scored almost at will. Of course the losing team, as usual, offers an excuse, for as an explanation of Its defeat It claims that It did not have all lt3 regular players In the game. Chet Whltemore, secretary of the U. C. T., says that tho reason that ho did not play was because tho regular catcher ot the team. Sammy Vlgneux. did not appear, and as Chet was scheduled to pitch ho did not havo confidence in the substitute catcher secured for the oc casion. Vlgneux say3 that If Whlte moro had pitched the score would have been 34, instead of 17. Tho T. "P. A- men sr hanny nnd ntata that they are willing to play the U. d- T. any time. The game was played for the benefit of the Patton Home- and a fairly good sum. was secured. MOSS'S LID OFF New York Resort Is Busier Than Ever Before. GREAT DISPLAY OF MONEY Town Is Overrun With Visitors, Who Are Enjoying High-Class Rac ing and Aro Frco to Wager. If the "lifting of the lid" here has brought the boom, now under way for the. City of Spring?, many favor throw ing the cover away, and for all time, writes Frank J. Bryan of tho racing reason at Saratoga. X. Y. Never In the history of tho place, to take the word of the natives and the memory of some of them goes, back a long way has prosperity come this way in proportions that have been In evidence this season. Things opened up lively and have been on the Improve ever since in fact, It Is now a case of the town be ing full. At tho big hotels hundreds have boen turned away, or forced to put up with quarters out of all roason. At the smaller piaees the snme tale Is told, and as for the boarding places', thero l nothing but "all full" signs, and with all hands paying war rates. This prosperity extends to all. depart ments. Money Is in every way dis played, and when the balance sheets are struck with the wind-up ot the meeting of the Saratoga Racing As sociation, they will show that a gold en narve.t has been reaped. Much Guessing for Bettors. Riders of the- East, of the Middle West, from California. Canada and all other points are meeting daily, and thi3. with the meeting of the horses from tho same territory, means a lot of guessing for the bettors. The plungers are busy, and some of thorn havo been betting the limit, but thus far few tales of big winnings have come from tho domains of the layers. Tho ono exception was the coup of John J. Ryan with Athlone the other day. It is certain that his clean-up on that race was pretty close to $40,000 at the track, with his commissions in the poolrooms throughout the country to further swell hl3 profits. That the officials failed to take any action In the case was a surprise even to those that aro not conservative and want racing to go along without scandal. As for the horse being a ringer, that is out of the question, not but what such things have been done, but for tho rea son that there were too many on tho ground that knew tho horse. Sudden Form Reversal. The ground for action seemed to be tho Improvement in the running of the horse over his previous offort In these parts. Added to this were weird tales about his ownership that kept tongues busy for a time, but It looks now a3 If we havo heard the last of the affair, which Is a good thing, for the meeting means too much to the racing world to havo ugly scars creeping in when they are ow estimated. The management realizes what this suc cess means and Is doing everything In its power to keep tho dally details at the high standard that has been estab lished. The promoters want to develop sentiment in racing, and every effort they make is In that direction. Strange to zy, the rank and file are lending their aid 'in the same direction. Owners, trainers and riders are on their mettle, and the result is an eclat that 13 really somothlng new In the annals of the turf. It Is racing at Its very best, and the support comes from so many points that Its sincerity cannot be ques tioned. Big Coterie of Notables. A trip from the clubhouse to the betting domains the other day, Just a walk of a few hundred yards, showed so many well-known racing officials that It was hard to realize that one was in the East. Charley Grainger, president of the Louisville Jockey Club; C S. Bush, who holds a like po sition with the Crescent City track, J. J. Holtman, the well-known starter; Secretary Fraser, of the Toronto Jock ey Club; S. S. Brown, who controls the historic track at Lexington; V.'iinan Hendrle, the turf leader of Canada, M. N. MacFarlan. who looks after the do ings at Memphis; Captain Jim Rees. who before his retirement from the stand rated as the .fairest Judge of racing In the country, were Just some of many that were encountered. As for the Eastern representation, it Includes everyone of noto in turf af fairs, and this will bo the tale for the remainder of the session. The success here should bo an object lesson for some of the would-be reformers that aro constantly trying to kill racing. It has brought together a representative body of gentlemen, who have, by their patronage, shown that they want tha sport to flourish. Talk of tho Futurity. There has been considerable Futur ity talk here of late, and every morn ing finds hundreds at the track shortly after daylight eager to see the many candidates get their preparations. At this writing it looks as if tho big event which will mark the opening of tho Coney Island Jockey Club's Fall meet ing, two weeks hence, will be one of the most open races that tho event has ever brought forth. Not one of the 24 down aa probable starters can be pointed to as a cer tainty. In fact, the maidens that will make their debut in the race aro the ones looked to as likely to furnish the winner. A week hence will be ample time to sift the collection out In fact, today a canvass of the horsemen would show admirers for all that are down as starters. There Is a lot of talk of tho merits of Oyama, one of the several that James R. Keene will send to the post, but he will have to Improve on what ho has been showing to win the sup port of th ewriter even on paper. First Water Rounding To. First Water, who went wrong dur ing the Spring meeting at Gravesend, has been rounding to here, and it looks now as If he will get to the post. If he does and he Is as good as when we saw him last with the colors up, it will take a pretty shifty one to beat him- Ho worked on Thur&day fivo furlongs, carrying about 12! pounds. In 1:03. This was so much better than, his previous effort In the morning that the critics have been drawn his way, and for the remainder of the time that Intervenes before he Is shipped away overy move ho makes will be very carefully noted.