Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 April 1943 — Page 18

} SToRTS.

By E

ddie Ash

: OPTIMISM Kigighted the spring meeting held here yesterday by the American association board of directors. +s + Club presidents and business managers reported that baseball interest apparently is greater than at a

corresponding time last year. x

George M. Trautman, league president, said the owners were

~ Sncouraged by the fine attendance at exhibition games and all ex- ; Brassed the & opinion that the circuit would carry through the full

‘until April 29 to complete their squads. . . - April 29 openers will be Indianapolis at Toledo (night), Louisville at Columbus, Milwaukee at - Minneapolis, Kansas City at St. Paul.

The second set of openers, on May 5, will be Columbus at

~ Toledo at Indianapolis (night),

. Louisville (night), St. Paul at Kansas City (night),

Minneapolis at Milwaukee. . .

. Indianapolis and

Milwaukee reported the heaviest advance seat gale for home inaugurals and both clubs pre-

- dicted .sellouts.

George 1 Trautman

. Every member club. was represented at the Claypool hotel meet

ing, President Trautman announced.

« + » This was the lineup: Roy

_ Hamey, Kansas City; Bill Veeck, Milwaukee; Al Banister, Columbus; Bruce Dudley, Louisville; Ray Gilliland, Toedo; Mike Kelley, Minneapolis; Lou McKenna, St. Paul; Owen J. Bush, Indianapolis. The club owners paid tribute to Umpire George Johnson, who “Is retiring after 29 years of service as an American association

arbiter. . the popular and efficient Johnson. . ‘however, in this wartime year...

. The league was directed to award a $1000 war bond to

. .» George Will not remain idle, . He'll aid the war effort by

operating a chicken farm outside of Chicago.

_ A. A. Player Limit Deadline Set Back

PREXY TRAUTMAN particularly cited “the increased publie interest in baséball as being a reason for his belief that the associa=

» tion would have one of its best years. .

. For the last several years

the A. A. attendance has been above 1 200,000 and a few years ago

- it reached 1,460,000.

League directors voted to relax player limits during the 1943 geason, setting May 29 as the ‘cut-down date” at which all clubs

mu t reduce to the 20-player limit. . .

12.

. The former deadline was

Although association teams contributed 250 men to the armed “forces, they still have more than 160 on their rosters, the league

* chief pointed out.

¥ =» =»

® = s

THE ANNUAL midseason all-star game was voted out at the . Jeague’s December meeting in Chicago to ease the transportation

. problem. . .

. Instead, all member clubs will arrange games with

- gervice teats at home and at various army and navy reservations, 4+ .. The Indianapolis club has already booked home-and-home dates with the Great Lakes Naval Training station nine. . . . The Indians " and Sailors split a two-game series last year.

‘New Player Bonus System Is

Approved

THE A. A, directors approved a new bonus system for the players which will make it possible for them fo share in the greater gate

Load © receipts which appear likely this year. . .

. Instead of the flat $12,000

~ players’ pool of recent years, the bonus this season will amount to ‘one cent for every Paid admission of more than 40 cents during the

nt race.

Half of the players’ pool will be

divided by the members of the

. winning and runner-up teams in the pennant race on a 60-40 basis. . . The other half will be divided by the winners and runners-up in the Governors’ Cup post-season playoff series which will determine the American association representative against theaInternations] league’s contender in the little world series.

On Your Marks, Get. Set, Go!

PREXY TRAUTMAN’S parting were:

words to the league directors

“Our plans are set, the teams ready, and the public waiting.”

And at the very moment there was a baby blizzard kicking up

‘In Indianapolis’ big outdoors.

Nevertheless, the club owners expressed satisfaction with ‘their northern. spring training sites and the progress made in conditioning the’ players despite the inclement weather of the last several days. But they pray that winter’s return call to the A. "A. area will be . Many of the veteran players are behind in their muscle-

Blue Swords Does His Best Running Through Stretch

By CHARLES MOREY United Press Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, April 14.—On a hazy, humid afternoon at Washington k last August, an ungainly bay colt, flaunting the bright gold and black silks of Allen T. Simmons, swirled from the bunched pack at the eighth pole in a six-furlong dash and drove at the favorite, flying in front. The Simmons colt didn’t win, missing by a short neck. But when the victor was led back to the barn he knew he had been in a horse race.

The race—a prep for the $60,000 Washington park futurity — might have been a preview of this year’s Zentucky derby. For the favorite Count Fleet, the current 6-to-5 e. While the Simmons colt

d possibly upset—the high-flying ‘Count in in the. “run of the roses” May 1. . Last week, in his first race of the on, Blue Swords trailed a dismal th in the six-furlong Experimen-

y ster is not rated a sprinter, , only begins to run at the sixlong mark and was pocketed so’ that he never got a chance to

Wood memorial at Jamaica tarday. There he will meet the t, Bossuet and Slide Rule. With

when tke race was washed out by the halting of Florida racing. Trainer Walter Kelley, however, kept the, colt in training through the cold months and brought a fit horse north this spring. One strong point that can be made for Blue Swords-—and for no other candidate besides Count Fleet —is this: He does his best running through the stretch. If some of the speed horses soften up the Count in the early stages of‘ the derby, Blue Swords may be able to take him in the drive. His sire lost the derby when a hot favorite in 1929 because he was

improperly shod for mud. But if:

it comes up this year you can bet

that Blue Swords—a star in the]: gumbo—will be right at home, He|: has been given a long, careful prep]:

and should be in condition. He is certain to like the 1% -mile distance. He'll have the best jockey in the

race—“Iceman” Georgie Woolf. So}:

if anything is going to extend Count

Fleet it should be Blue Swords. Hel:

j is now 5 to 1 in the future book. 1 he

Beginning | VV abash, Teachers

'To Clash Today

TERRE HAUTE, Ind, April 14 (U. P.). ~The Littlé Giants of Wa~

bash college were scheduled tof}

cee 2

set ine seen oe th Tench |

ro | led meetings between the Teachers “te ne Bara The second half of

home-and-home series is carded | r. May at Crawfordsville. 3

inger Tourney Off NEV Na-

‘1 the American association’s board of

Ponzi Takes

- - i Another Try To Play Today

olis Indians indoors again yesterday as winter returned for a belated fling in Hoosierland. The

for outdoor action this afternoon, But it can be postponed again and again. In other words, the

fore the 'Tribesters pull out of

of April 23. : Manager Bush was. absent from

dianapolis attending & meeting of

directors. He . reported back -in ‘Bloomington this morning to direct a 10 o'clock morning workout 19’ his players in the Indiana U. fieldhouse. Tauscher Directs Drill

Pitcher-Coach Walter Tauscher directed the Tribe's indoor drill yesterday and the usual routine was followed. Batting practice was held in the two cages, the infielders went through a long drill, bunting and pepper games were included and the workout was topped off by all players ' taking a couple of laps around the running track. In the event the game with I. U. was played today, Pilof Bush planned on using three pitchers for three-inning hitches, Lefty Bob Logan, Rookie Harold Stewart and huge John Hutchings. The last named was feeling under the weather yesterday and was a doubtful starter today. As a matter of fact, several Indians are complaining of aches, bruises, sore arms and legs. The raw weather encountered in Lafayette last week-end when they played the Chicago White Sox two games in a frigid wind accounts for the growing hospital list.

Two Veterans Ailing

The Tribe management is deeply concerned over the condition of Shortstop Eric McNair and Third Baseman Mickey Haslin, counted on as regulars. McNair continues to favor a weak wrist which was injured during the winter and Haslin is nursing a weak knee. These veterans are far from being ready to cut loose in fielding and running. Rookie Pitcher Wilbur Stark from Manchester, Ind., was dropped from the squad yesterday. The management decided the youngster didn’t have what it takes to pitch league ball. Like the rest of the ball. clubs training in Indiana, the Indians have been left on base by the weatherman. They miss the daily long outdoor batting drills under & warm sun that used to feature thelr training. routine in Florida. Indoor batting facilities here probably are the best in the north and the players are able to get up & good sweat in the fieated fieldhouse, but still they prefer cutdoor batting and plenty of it. But the Indians probably will be in better condition than some of their American association rivals come opening day. They always have the I. U. fieldhouse to turn to when the weather keeps them off the Jordan field greensward.

Billiard Lead

KANSAS CITY, April 14 (U.P), —Andrew Ponzi, Philadelphia, held a 209-point lead over world pockef billiard champion, Willie Mosconi, Jackson, Mich., after winning, 137 to 2, in the first block of their 1250 point title match. Ponzi had a high run of 92, running 70 balls to wind up yesterday's afternoon block and 22 in the first inning of the evening block. Mosconi, who won the world title at Detroit last fall, had a high run of only 16 and was off cue. The match, played for a $1000. purse will’ continue through Saturday. The line score: 22-33-15-0-8-13-~ “28118 (One scratch) 3 16-11-13-6-0-0—44 (Two scratches)

"Soldier-Boxer

BLOOMINGTON, ind. “April - 14.4 —The weather chased the Indianap-|

game with the Indiana university|# nine was postponed until today and|# the outlook was none too bright 5

Bloomington, for the last time this| Ss spring, which will be on the night gs

camp yesterday but he wasn’t ab-|@ sent’ from baseball. He was in In-|§

fr Y. Sees $200,000,000 Racing Season:

Jamaica Has More Entries Than a Year Ago

Indians and Indiana U. intend to S38 get together in diamond combat be-|H

Count Fleet, Kentucky Derby favorite, eroudly surveys od Jamaica and the crowd which wil he waiting to get a fre. on the colt's 3-year-old form in the $25,000 Wood Memorial Saturday.

By HARRY GRAYSON NEA Sports Editor

NEW YORK, April 14.—Starter George Cassidy pressed a button and shouted “Come on!” and they were off at old Jamaica and in the metropolitan area for 180 racing days—a solid six months. Ten days will be tacked onto this, as they were last year—seven making up another victory week and three for united hunts: Hello, Sucker! The operators of the mints called race tracks are certainly pouring it on, but New York is a big place and can take it. Besides, the state needs the money. Track people profess to believe that the gate will be off about 25 per cent, but that the handle will be as big as last year, and maybe bigger. : t J ” 2 THE PROMOTERS of every other sport will tell them that despite cries of absenteeism, attendance will zoom as well as the betting. There is plenty of money around, and the good citizens are out tio spend it. Mike Jacobs, the fight promoter, for example, predicts that given good weather, Memorial day will be the richest day in the history of baseball. Precisely $175,158,374 was shoved through the wickets at the five New York merry-go-rounds last year. The state collected $10,021,485.93, and New York contributed $856,269.64 to the sport’s national $3,200,000 war fund. With the Saratoga meeting scheduled for Belmont Park, bigger fields and all that cab-

bage laying around loose, the racing interests have every reason to suspect that: they are looking smack dab into the face of a $200,000,000 year. Whew! . The schedule: Jamaica--April 8-May 8—27 days. Belmont—May 10-June 524 days. Aqueduct—June 7-June 26—18 days. Empire—June 28-July 24—24 days. Saratoga at Belmont—July 26-Aug. 28—30 days, and then back again: Aqueduct—Aug. 30-Sept. 18—18 days. Belmont—Sept. 20-Oct. 9—18 days. Jamaica—Oct. 11-Oct. 20—nine days. Empire—Oct. 21-Nov. 3—12 days, and the football season will be hitting the home stretch. With the Saratoga sales switched to New York, many people will see and purchase yearlings for the first time, and the breeders won't take the financial pasting they took at the spa last August. With the Saratoga ‘association operating at Belmont, every New York track is either . directly on or within walking distance of a five-cent fare or regular train or bus schedule. Parking lots will be closed, and automobiles conveying cash customers will not be admitted to tracks.

» » 2

JAMAICA uses no tractors to pull harrows and stall gates. Instead it employs teams of Clydesdales. The track bought four from Banker William Woodward of Belair Stud. They are about as big as small elephants, weigh around 3500 pounds each,

All Jamaica stables are full. The barns accommodate 45 horses. Aqueduect and Belmont are rapidly filling up. There will be 1200 thoroughbreds at Belmont by the time the meeting opens. There will be little shipping this year,’ For one things, stall space is at such a premium that once owners ship away, they'll never get

‘ their stable room back.

Jamaica is running the same program of stakes, and has not reduced the values of any. Nor have the overnight purses been reduced. The minimum is $1500. ® = =»

THE MORE important numbers left are

the $25,000 Wood Memorial for 3-year-olds,

Saturday; the $10,000 Excelsior Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward, April 24; the $5000 Rosedale Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, April 28; the $5000 Jamaica Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward, May 1; the $5000 Youthful Stakes for 2-year-olds, May 5, and the $15,000 Grey Lag Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward, May 8. There were more entries for everything except the Wood than last year, and the Wood had 39. The only older name horses not in the handicaps are those old feudists, Whirlaway and Alsab. They'll begalong for Belmont. Jamaica, which is jammed by more than 30,000 opened to 12,000 addicts in a severe snowstorm a year ago. \ I'll see you at that same $2 window.

Ex-Zivie Pilot Dead at 54

PITTSBURGH, April 14 (U. P). —Luke Carney, 54, veteran fight manager who ‘plicted Fritzle Zivic

championship, died in St. John’s hospital last night after a brief illness. Carney, who managed fighters for 30 years, became {ll last Sunday and appeared on the road to recovery, but his condition became worse. yesterday and he was rushed to tke - hospital,” where he suc= cumbed. A heart. ailment was blamed for his death. The rotund = Carney was. best known as manager of Fritzie Zivie, who captured she weliernelght. title from Henry : Armstrong, a: 1040, only. to lose it nine de later to Red Ceehrane, but he also managed Fritzie’s brother, Eddie, and Frank Moran, of Pittsburgh, ‘one-time heavyweight contender. Carney was a veteran of world war I, serving overseas with the 16th Field artillery, fourth division.

Report Scimeling Russ Prisoner

: LONDON, April 14 (U. P)—A radio Paris broadeast was quoted | by the Daily Sketoh today as saying that Max Schmeling, former world’s heavyweight boxing champion; was wounded seriously and captured: by: the Russians on the eastern: front. Schmeling "served as a paratrooper with the German army during the battle of Crete.

*|One More Team

Needed in Loop

War won't curtail amateur baseball here during the approaching season. Organization of a second loop, the Municipal, was completed except for one team at a meeting of the Amateur: Baseball association at. city hall last night, Clubs lined up for the Municipal are . Ft. Harrison, DeWolf News,

A sixth club is needed to replace Falls’ City Beers, last year’s

at Allison’s, ‘Camp tterbury and Empire Life are ities. Teams in the Manufacturers’ sop are Armour, 40 and 8 and R, C. A, Other probable starters will be seplected from Fall Creek, Red Wing, Beech Grove, Southport and Key-|

McQuillen Inducted |

ST. LOUIS, 14 (UU. P)~ AT for

of Pittsburgh fo the welterweight.

Pure Oil, Eagles. and Gold Medal. |¢

ruriners-up for the title. Red Wing}

failed thus far to provide adequate in the United States.

Some of the larger camps and supplied, but at most of the others there is a crying need for sports paraphernalia. This need becomes more acute with the induction of 18-year-olds and up. Many of these youngsters never have been away from home for more than a night or two, Hence the cases of homesickness are numerous and at times pathetic. We will not pause here to atgue the case of competitive athletics— 4,| baseball, football, basketball, boxing, -elc—as an aid in preparing men for combat. That issue is widely disputed. | But we never have heard anyone question the psychological value. of sports as a recreational aid to camp morale. In this connection, athletics provide entertainment for the boys in their spare time—give them a wholesome interest—relieve their boredom—banish home sickness, ete.

No U. 8. Equipment

The navy generally provides its men with athletic equipment. The army does, too, for units that are {going overseas. But the army generally does not provide such equipment for camps in the United States. Equipment for army posts in this country must be obtained from outside sources. What are these sources? The two “official” sources are the major league baseball equipment fund and the recently organized boxing equipment fund. Each of these organizations aims to provide $100,000 worth of equipment a year. These funds are noble enterprises and doubtless will do much good. But as far as providing for the equipment needs of army camps throughout the country, they will be only gestures — mere drops in the bucket. Moreover, their very existence gives the sports-minded public the false impression that “the boys are taken care of,” which is

Cuddy Sees Crying Need for Sports Equipment in Camps

By JACK CUDDY United Press Staff Correspondent

NEW YORK, April 14 —American sports organizations and fans have

athletic equipment for army camps

: This needless failure will continue throughout the war unless intelligent steps are taken soon to remedy the situation.

air bases near big cities have been — right now by communicating with the special service officer, army air base, McCook, Neb. The McCook base needs baseball and softball equipment. It is 10 miles from a town with only 6500 population, and the lads crave recreation.

North-South Open Starts

PINEHURST, N. C., April 14 (U. P.). — Medalist Ronnie Williams army corporal from Camp. Butner, N. C, meets Tommy Bumbarger of Davidson college, N. C., in the feature contest today as match play begins in the 43d annual NorthSouth amateur golf tournament.

Williams, a heavy pre-tournament favorite, won the medal in yesterday’s qualifying round with 37 and 36 for a one-over-par 73. Ralph T, Strafaci of New York, brother of former North-South Champion Prank Strafaci, finished second with 36-39—175. Strafaci and Williams, who won the Detroit metropolitan championship and was amateur runner-up in tlie recent North-South open here, are ‘picked to meet in he final

Farmer Jones,

Thom Draw

A capacity throng of 3200 mat fans which jammed the armory last night saw Coach Billy Thom, Indiana university wrestling mentor, and Farmer Jones, Arkansas hillbilly, tussle to a 90-minute draw in the featured bout of the weekly grappling bill staged by the Hercules Athletic club. Jones, a canny workman inside the ropes, took the first fall after 35 minutes of lively actiom with his pet “flying jenny” hold. Thom evened matters in another long fall by annexing the second session in 32 minutes with a step-over toe hold. With only three minutes of wrestling time remaining the two rivals grappled to a stalemate. It was an even clash throughout, with both matmen showing plenty of respect for the other's ability. All Pasha, Hindu junior heavyweight who came in the ring at

'1195 pounds, stepped out of his

weight class to down Al Massey of Atlanta, Ga., who tipped the beam at 218 pounds. Pasha took the only fall in 17 minutes with a “cobra hold.” Opening bout honors went to Joe Feroni, Boston, Mass., a‘ néwcomer to the armory ring, who flopped Babe Kasaboski, Montreal, Can. in 15 minutes with a reverse step-over toe hold.

Still Good Enough STILLWATER, Okla. — Coach Hank Iba of the Oklahoma Aggies says the Wyoming Cowboys who won the national basketball cham pionship were a better team earlier

mall

TRAMPLE TOUGHNESS OUT!" SAY THE 5 J |

wn = Mh

Ll i ag ui Sh a TA 0 a ou

in the season.

Breezes to

Easy Vietory!

NEW YORK, April 14 (U, P.)~ Displaying the same power carried him to last year’s two-year-old championship, Mrs. John Herts’ Count’ Fleet breezed to an easy three and one-half length victory yesterday in the St. James purse at Jamaica, his first start .of the

With Johnny Longden in the saddle, the Count ran down Bossuet nearing the furlong pole and came away swiftly once in front. Bosseut took second money by five lengths over Towser, who was a neck in front of Four Freedoms. Carrying topweight of 122 pounds, the Count raced a mile and 70 yards in 1:42 4-5, two seconds over Johnstown’s- track mark. Made a prohibitive choice by the crowd of 16,193, he paid $2.30, $2.20 and $2.10. ‘Bossuet returned $2.70 and $2.40. Towser was $3.00 to show. A field of eight ran in the race, which was a prep for Saturday's $20,000 Wood Memorial. ‘Bossuet, carrying 113, stepped right out in front and turned into the back~ stretch two lengths ahead. The Count, meanwhile, was bouncin along in fourth place as Longden waited for the right time to turn him loose. Swinging past the far tufn, he found it. The Count slipped past the second and third horses with ease and set sail for the leader. Bossuet battled like & gamé colt and did not give up. But the Hertz Flier shot by him midway of the stretch and was steadily widening out at the wire. The victory was. worth $1950 and boosted the winner's earnings for two years to $78,195, It madé him a more outstanding favorite than ever for the Wood and for the Derby on May 1.

—

May Devote Three Holidays to Charity

NEW YORK, April 14. (U.P) — The three biggest days of the year in racing—Memorial day, July 4 and Labor day—may be devoted entirely to charity as part of horse raging’s drive for a minimum goal of $2,000,000 in war relief for 1943, the Turf Committee of America annourced today. The committee, representing tracks in 22 states, reached: that figure after a canvass of the various tracks. Last’ year’s minimum goal of $2,000,000 was surpassed by $1,200 -

contributing over $800,000. A special “victory week” after the: close of the season here brought in 000 and the committee has approved another such period for this season

at a New York track. i 4 : Montreal Wins. :

Hockey Tilt :

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (U,P.). —Les Canadiens of Montreal won the first of a 4-out-of-7-game hockey series here last night, defeating a Victoria, B. C., navy squad, 7-5, in Westwood Ice Gar~ dens. Toe Blake, left wing for the Canadians, was responsible for four out of his team’s seven points, The Bentley brothers — Max, Doug and Reg — former Chicago Blackhawk stars, a hiage all the. points for the Dalked ual The second game will be played in the Ice Gardens tonight, *'

Rugby Offers Football Tips

LONDONDERRY, Ireland, Ap: 14 (U. P).—~—American footba, might benefit by a few tips from British rugby players, Ed y former Harvard football coach, a naval lieutenant stationed here, said today. The Americans have been teach- ; ing baseball to the British and in

tricacies of rugby. “Of course,” Casey said, “football does demand more strategy and a quicker pickup. But rugby is faster and the lightning passes are quicker than anything I've over ii Jovtballe

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