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This newspaper page contains 13 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Wakefield Advocate
Location
Wakefield, Michigan, United States of America
Date
Oct 13, 1917
Page
15
The article notes many athletes were deemed unfit for service, including ball players like Earl Craddock and Tommy Gibbons. It argues the practice of buying pitchers is a lottery, citing Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 500 transfer and Marty O Toole’s later decline as examples.
Bill Brennan, former Federal League umpire, says his suggestion to abandon the emery ball aided Howard Ehmke’s success as a Detroit American pitcher. Brennan recalls catching Ehmke experimenting with the delivery and urges a cleaner technique, leading to better control and proven stuff.
Joe Higgins, noted runner of the Irish American Athletic Club of New York, is hailed as the potential successor to Mel Sheppard in middle distance events. Trained at Holy Cross, Higgins has not decided whether to focus on the mile or 1000 yards.
Hughie Jennings focuses on coaching and discipline, accepting two tight umpire calls without dispute in a recent game. He urges his players to follow suit and recently admonished a onfield kicker after a close decision, stressing that kicking and arguing with umpires do not pay.
Scout George Davis advised the St. Louis Browns to sign Ted Murray captain of the Trinity College team as a heavy hitting infielder and pitcher Molyneaux. Davis joins as coach after a White Sox title run in 1906 under Jones. Davis and Jones have been close friends.
Secretary of War Newton D Baker opposes playing the Army Navy football game this year arguing that both West Point and Annapolis should focus all energy on war effort. He says intensive military training and rushing graduation of two classes ahead are priorities and postponing athletics is prudent for national defense.
The article notes Ray Caldwell moving to the outfield as a precedent for the Yankees, listing prior players like Elmer Smith Jimmy Ryan Cy Seymour Mike Donlin Dave Robertson Harry Walter and Walter Thornton who all began as pitchers before switching to the outfield. Caldwell is described as a natural hitter and fast, matching those qualifications.
Cleveland manager Lee Fohl urges adopting three umpires for every game saying the system is far ahead of the two-umpire arrangement and will be a welcome change when implemented.
The article recounts a bizarre Reds Cardinals play in which Roush advanced to second on Kopf's out as Kopf was forced at third by Paulette. It notes fans in Philadelphia asking Johnny Evers about a dismissal and reports umpire Rigler and pitcher Jacobs clashing over calls. It also details wartime army exams flagging athletic heart among players and common injuries from baseball footwear.
Umpires highlight a growing batter habit of stepping out of the batter's box for little or no reason, delaying play. They cite petulance at perceived pitcher delays, with batters leaving the box at the slightest slowness, a childish conduct critics say should stop.
Cincinnati accepted the invitation to host the 2018 American Bowling Congress event set for February or March. A. L. Langtry of Milwaukee, secretary of the congress, telegraphed alley owners that he remains optimistic for a successful journey despite the war.
Tex Jones recalls a Western league game where a batter hit a high fly that landed in an open water tank behind center field. The center fielder climbed a ladder, retrieved the ball from the water, and threw out the runner before he touched ground, while the umpire ruled the play not a homer since the ball did not touch ground.
Brooklyn pitcher Jack Coombs and Giants left fielder George Burns praise each other for their hitting and pitching. Coombs says Burns is a tough proposition who rarely strikes at bad balls. Burns names Coombs as the hardest pitcher to hit.
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