Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 279, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 April 1931 — Page 12

PAGE 12

Talking It Over BY JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK, April 2.—Even in sports where fame is extravagantly bestowed and inexactly computed the singular gifts of Rockne will endure. He took football and fashioned it into a highly dramatic spectacle. He took the open game and opened it wider. He took the shift and made it shiftier. He took the tricks and made them trickier. 000 With Rockne the football Held ttai Jmt •l much a laboratory as was the clamroom where he majored in chemistry In bl* school day* I'nder his daring and Imaginative touch the game of football changed Just as sharply and definitely from 1920 to 1930 as It had changed back in 1995 when the mass plays were eliminated and the pass plays innovated. From coast to coast teams now play ‘‘Rockne” football. This Is his legacy to college football, the game be esteemed so genuinely. 000 It Is given to few men to change the nature of things in any sphere, to create new systems for old. to blaze pioneering paths through established routines. Rockne belonged to that small group In football. Just as Ban Johnson had in baseball and Tex Rickard in prize fighting. It was a curious mood of fate that these three lives 'hould have been snuffed out within a few years of each other. 000 JOHNSON was baseball’s first crusader for clean sport, decent environment and a courteous public appeal. More than any one other individual he was responsible for the position baseball occupies in the scheme of American life today. Practically every fundamental refinement in the conduct of professional baseball can be traced to the wisdom and vision of the one-time Ohio newspaper man who died a few days ago. 00 In much the settle wav Rickard was responsible for washing the large, knobby ears of prize, fighting, taking it away from the hoodlums and bringing it to the “very nice people,” as he used to call them. 000 BUT to get back to Rockne himself. Now that he is gone it is pleasant to picture him out there in the great beyond meeting up again with the boy he always called his greatest star—George Gipp, one of those rare ball carriers who combined great elusiveness with great power. 000 Rockne was at Gipp’s bedside, at the hour of his death. I believe it was the first time death had ever visited a Rockne squad. Gipp had played a smashing game against Army and had contracted a throat infection which was to prove fatal three days later. 000 As he stood at the bedside Rockne held the hand of the dying youth and said: “Is there anything I can do for you, George? Any one thing you would like to ask me?” In 50ft, weak pants the answer came from the parched lips of the All-America man: “You know how I like to win from the Army, Rock. Well, sometime when things look bad for us, ask the fellows to go out and put over a touchdown for me, will you?” And with that the black haired, sharp featured Michigan farmer closed his eyes.

This became a sacred trust with Rockne. I am not sure but I believe he used it only once, and that was the time when Jack Elder ran the length of the field to Score the winning touchdown agalqst the Soldiers at the Stadium. 0 It 0 THE news dispatches report that Frank Carideo broke down and wept when he learned of Rockne’s death. The Mt. Vernon athlete was probably closer to Rockne than any other player on the squad. Rockne liked the way Carideo ran the team, his daring, shrewdness and sanity. He was, in short, his kind of a quarter back. I suspect that in his musing moments he had pictures of Carideo in later years being pointed out as another Rockne. He was enormously fond of him. 000 I was with Rockne in his hotel room here when Noble Kizer, the Purdue coach, called on him. He wanted Carideo as his assistant. At the time several other colleges wanted him too. Carideo was ready to go wherever Rockne said. Purdue is close to South Bend. Rockne decided Carideo should go With Hirer. “I don’t want him to get too far away from me,” he explained. 000 Earlier in the afternoon Rockne had been talking about his team. About Carideo in particular. He called him the perfect field general. ’’Did he make any mistakes at all this year.” someone asked. "I wouldn't tell about 'em if lie had," he answered. 000 This was not typical of Rockne. Generally he was prone to kid about his players, belittle their achievements good naturedly and ridicule the illusions of greatness built up by the press. But Carideo was an exception. Rockne must have had set great store by him. Ban Johnson Laid to Rest By United Preen SPENCER. Ind., April 2.—Baseball notables from every part of the country gathered here Wednesday for the funeral of Byron Bancroft Johnson, former president of the American baseball league. Truck loads of floral offerings filled the small church in which the services were held. After two Spencer ministers had delivered eulogies over the famous “Ban” Johnson, who died recently of a lingering illness in St. Louis, a Cincinnati masonic lodge, of which he was a member, held ritualistic services. EXCURSION Sunday, April 5 Cincinnati $2.75 Greensburg 1.25 Shelbyville 75 Leave Indianapolis 7:45 a. m.; returning, leave Cincinnati 6:30 p. *n. or 10:05 p. m.. same date. Tickets good in coaches only. Children half fare. Tickets at City Ticket Office, 112 Monument Circle, and Union Station. BIG FOUR ROUTE

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Exhibition Schedule Opens With Red Sox Boston Nine Tackles Indians in First Tilt Saturday; Buffalo, Toronto to Follow; Hoosiers in Fair Shape; Seek New Talent. BY EDDIE ASII Times Sports Editor EN ROU TE NORTH WITH THE INDIANS, April 2.—Occupying two coaches, the Indians of Johnny Corriden were well on their way home today to resume their spring training at Washington park, beginning Friday afternoon. The athletes will reach Indianapolis late Friday morning and hurriedly unpack and go to work on their own diamond. The return exhibition game with the Cardinals, scheduled to be

staged at Bradenton Wednesday, was called off by the St. Louis team, and Manager Corriden sent his Hoosier pastimers through a long ariil in Sarasota. The boys got in a good batting session along with fielding and running, and they will be in fair shape by Saturday to tackle the Boston Red Sox at Indianapolis. . It was rather strange to hear a game in Florida had been called off by cold weather, but that’s the reason the Cardinal officials gave for canceling Wednesday's tilt. It also was extremely windy on the Florida west coast Wednesday and Manager Corriden was better satisfied with his own practice than he would have been with a game. The 1931 Tribe squad won five games and lost wo while they were in Florida, and there will be nine more exhibition contests in Indianapolis, with the Red Sox, Buffalo and Toronto. sssTne Indians lost to Brooklyn, broke even with Co-

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lumbus and defeated the Yankees twice and also downed the Phillies and Cardinals. Corriden s squad has come through with more of a punch than in the spring of 1930, and it is believed the power of attack will be even better when Emmett McCann, first baseman, dons an Indian unilorm in Indianapolis. The rangy pastimer, who was obtained in a trade for Ollie Tucker, always has batted hard in the American Association and also has been prominent as a baserunnei •

Howard Fitzgerald, who is holding down the middle garden, displayed marked improvement Wednesday during batting drill and rattled the fence with line drives The presence of Curt Walker on the team has made a big difference, for this veteran has not lost his speed and is quite capable of taking care of himself in all departments of play. Facing nine games in Indianapolis before the regular season starts the Tribe mound staff will have no idle time. Some of the hurlers are not in the best of condition, for they didn’t get a run of warm weather in Florida this year.

Bill Narlesky proved one of Corriden’s hardest workers during the club's stay in Florida and showed much improvement as a thirdsacker over his fielding from last sea-

Three Danville Boxers to Return for Legion Scraps

Three Danville (111.) Golden Gloves winners, who made such good showings here a month ago, will return to the Legion ring Tuesday night to fight in prelims to the Walter Pickerd-Bud Doran feature. Pat Murphy, Elwin Metz and Ernie Dill are the Danville representatives, and Dill sends word that his sweetheart will accompany him here and act as his second in the Armory ring, a service she performed many times during his amateur

son. Bill has great determination and plays aggressive ball at all times. Manager Corriden is confident of landing more pitching strength this month and also has lines out for a new second saeker. There’s no denying the fact that the club is weak around the keystone bag. FORTY ROUNDS ON BILL Forty rounds of action, including ten scraps and an added battle royal, make up the fistic bill to be presented at Tomlinson hall tonight by Promoter Jimmie McLemore. Rosy Kid Baker of Anderson and Billy Moore of Brightwood, middleweight sluggers, meet in the feature eight-rounder, with Pug Smith and Joe Moore, local welters, scheduled to clash in a six.

career. The Legion plans to pit tough opponents against the flashy Illinois trio.. Patsy Pollock, Canadian middleweight, has signed to appear in Tuesday’s eight-round semi-windup and an opponent is being sought for him. Pollock is a well-known figure in the fight game. Bud Doran, who is to meet Pickerd, has been sought by local promoters for almost a year, but the Chicago boy has been avoided by many of the best in his division.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

17-Year-Old Girl Hurler Expects to Strike Out Babe Ruth in Pro Debut

By United Press C CHATTANOOGA. Tenn., April 2. J —“Nervous? Why should I get nervous over a ball game when I have been playing ball nearly all my life.” That’s the way Jackie Mitchell, 17-vear-old. 130-pound southpaw,

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Amateur Diamond Notes

Catholic Baseball League of Indianapolis held a meeting Wednesday at St. Catherine’s church and plans, age-limit, and schedules were discussed. This year players becoming 21 years of age before June 1 will be barred from the league. Eight parish churches are considering placing clubs in the race. They are St. Catherine’s. Holy Trinity. Assumption, Our Lady of Lourdes. St. Joseph’s, Holy Rosary. St. Patrick’s, and Question Marks of Sacred Heart. There also is a possibility that two others parishes will enter the race. This wiU be the second year for the league and promises to be a successful one. A meeting of the pastors ot the church and managers of the clubs will be held soon. Sexson brothers baseball team will be in the field again this year with a strong club. Sexsons practice at Garfield No. 1 Sunday. April 5, at 1 p. m. All tryouts be on hand. Sexsons needs a good third baseman. Gagen, Akers. Wickcliff. Hicks, Hendricks. Miller. B. Sexson and Crane be on hand. For early games call Dr. 5904 after 6 p. m., ask for Art. Smittv Davis is asked to call Ch. 0563 at 6 p. m. O-No-Blues. newly organized club, is rounding up a strong team and desires games with city teams. Write 1251 West New York street, ask for Robert Conolty. Blues will practice at Riverside No. 2 at I 12:30 Sunday. Following players are asked Ito attend: Ned Berry, Bud Kelly, Jim Donnelly. Thom Stack. Charley Bornaby, Louis Reinhart. Roy Willison. Bob Horn.

the first woman pitcher in organized baseball, felt. today as she prepared to take the slab for the Chattanooga Southern Association club here in an exhibition game with the New York Yankees, marking her professional debut. Miss Mitchell was confident she

Jackie Mitchell

.Circle City league met at Smith-Hass-ler-sturm sporting goods store Wednesday. President Stewart discussed forfeit rees and league fees. Teams in the loop Catenary Christian. Williard Christian. De Molav and Broadway M. E. Maple Camp of Modern Woodmen will have a strong team in the field again this season. Manager Jared has called a meet- *" f , or Friday night at 7:30 store 6 sporting goods TWO .PRELIMS CARDED Promoter Bill Bowman has arranged two scraps for the prelim program of the fight card at Riverside Friday night. Young Jack Renault and Bert Wagner, lightweights, and Bob Vernon and Spider Kelly, featherweights, will clash in four-round battles. A semi-windup, scheduled for six sessions, two more fours and the. main event between Henry Hook of Elwood and Tuffy Mitchell of Indianapolis will complete the program.

would realize her greatest ambition —to fan Babe Ruth. “I will go out there and do my best. I feel fine and am ready for action as long as Mr. Engel will let me stay in the game.” Joe Engel, owner and president of the Lookouts, anticipated the prosSpeedway to Open Links Speedway golf course will be opened for its third season Saturday. Greenskeepers have been at work many weeks placing the course in top condition. The clubhouse also will open Saturday. Charles '.Chuck) Garringer returns as pro. Early birds of racing caught the worm of interest ahead of the golfing enthusiasts this spring. Usually the golf course is the first sign of active interest at the Speedway, but this year the car drivers beat the ciub drivers to the first tee of attention, several nominations for the 500-mile event already having been tried out on the brick oval. Canadiens Gain Hockey Finals By United Press CHICAGO, April 2.—Les Canadiens of Montreal will oppose Chicago Blackhawks in the final round of the Stanley cup playoffs for the hockey championship of the world. The Canadiens, defending champions, joined the Blackhawks in the final bracket Wednesday night by defeating Boston Bruins, 3 to 2, in an overtime tilt, the fifth and deciding game of their first place series. Canadiens and Blackhawks will play a best three-out-of-five game series, beginning here on Friday. Net Stars to Visit Colleges By United Press NEW YORK, April 2.—Big Bill Tilden, for many years the world’s greatest tennis player, and Karel Kozeluh, Czechoslovakian star, will play a series of exhibition matches on western and midwestern college campuses, Jack Curley, promoter, announced. The first match will be played at the University of Southern California on April 4. Subsequent matches will be played at Stanford university, April 7; University of Nebraska, April 13; University of April 15, and University of Minnesota, April 16.

pects of Jackie hurling to the Great Babe would pack Engel stadium with the largest crowd in the city’s baseball history’. Jackie is tail and muscular, and got her first baseball lessons from Dazzy Vance, star Brooklyn hurler, who then was perrorming with the Memphis Chicks. She uses an odd, side-armed delivery and puts both speed and curve on the ball. Her greatest asset. however, is control. Final steps were taken Wednesday to make Jackie a full-fledged professional ball player. Joe Engel mailed a copy of her contract to President John D. Martin of tix Southern Association, hoping to put at rest any suspicion that Jackie's advent to the Lookout's roster perhaps was not 100 per cent bona fide. CARDS SIGN WlisT CRAWFORDSVILE. Ind., April 2. —Clayton Weist, former Wabash football and baseball star, who recently signed for a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals, is working out daily with the Scarlet team prior to his leaving for Danville, Red Bird farm.

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.APRIL, 2, 1931

Crack Pin Teams Fail i Only One Buffalo Team Able to Crash Top Ten. By United Press BUFFALO. N. Y., April 2.—Barring unexpected upsets, Buffalo to- | day had lost its last chance to set ■ new world bowling records. Its | crack teams rolled in the American ! Bowling Congress tournament ! Wednesday night with the best j score worth only sixth place among I the leaders. The best score, 2,926, was made by Behringer Diamonds five. Buffalo’s other highly touted teams did not even approach that figure. The Clark-Wilson Recreation five of Chicago rolled a 2,862, but this figure was not worthy of a place in the big ten where the bottom score is 2,872. YALE, HARVARD CLASH By United Press NEW YORK, April 2.—Yale and Harvard, famed athletic rivals, will meet tonight for the national intercollegiate indoor polo championship.