W L Pct. GB
Tacoma ..... 22 8 .733 —
Salem ...... 19 11 .633 3
Wenatchee .. 17 14 .548 5½
Yakima ..... 16 15 .516 6½
Tri-City ... 16 17 .485 7½
Spokane .... 14 18 .438 9
Vancouver .. 12 18 .400 10
Victoria .... 8 23 .258 14
VANCOUVER, B.C., May 22—Sandy Robertson made his first appearance of the season a hum-dinger for Vancouver Monday night as he pitched the Capilanos to an 8-5 Western International League victory over the Spokane Indians.
Robertson came on in the second inning and fanned 10 before he finished. He was in trouble once in the eighth inning when first baseman Norm Graybar homered with two mates aboard.
Hunk Anderson wild-pitched Indians to an early 2-0 lead but Manager Bill Brenner's homer with one on revived the Caps in the fourth. They added two more in that inning on three singles and a walk and pounded out four more in the fifth.
Vern Kohout, shelled from the mound in the fourth, was the losing hurler. Jim Holder relieved him.
Graybar turned in a spectacular game around his sack. He made 16 outs and one assist, many of them tough plays.
Spokane ....... 020 000 030—5 11 2
Vancouver ..... 000 440 00x—8 12 0
Kohout, Holder (4) and Rossi, Anderson, Robertson (2) and Brenner.
Suspended After Rhubarb in WIL
TACOMA, Wash., May 23—Hundreds of angry Wenatchee baseball fans threatened an umpire after a series of playing field “rhubarbs,” bringing suspension Monday of Wenatchee manager Tommy Thompson.
Robert Abel, president of the Western International league, said here he had suspended Thompson until further notice, and would have a conference with him inside 48 hours. The WIL president plans to talk with Thompson after his arrival at Salem, where he is en route for new series. Thompson, freshman manager in the league, came to Wenatchee from the Pioneer league where he piloted Salt Lake City last year.
Police Escort Umpire
Police gave the umpire, J. “Doc” Regele, an escort through the mob of shouting, jeering fans who had poured from the stands and clustered around a gate leading to the umpire's dressing room. Later Regele and fellow umpire Ray French were accompanied by uniformed patrolmen and plainclothesmen to their hotel.
Regele reported to Abel that he was hit once by a thrown “object” that struck his back.
The fans vented their wrath after the second game of a day-night double-header in which Wenatchee lost twice to Tri-City, 5-4 and 8-7.
Abel said he had suspended Thompson for his own conduct and that of his players in prolonged arguments with Regele over several decisions on close plays at the bases. Regele was field umpire for the game.
Abel said he has “every confidence” in the judgment of Regele who has served four seasons with the league since 1941.
Wholesale Revamping of A’s Promised by Aroused Krug
Manager Given Free Hand to Remedy Flaws in Club—Morjoseph First to Go
VICTORIA, [Colonist, May, 23]—“We’ll make every possible change until we start winning and very few on this ball club can call their jobs safe any more.”
That was an aroused Marty Krug talking last night and the veteran manager of the Victoria Athletics meant every word of it. Incensed at the last of teamwork shown by several of the A’s and realizing the club can’t go on losing much longer if it ever hopes to be a factor in the W.I.L. pennant battle, Krug will make some radical changes if conditions warrant. He has the backing of club officials.
FREE HAND
Krug was closeted with club-president J.V. Johnson and business-manager Reg Patterson yesterday and both backed their manager to the limit as they gave him a free hand to make whatever moves he might deem necessary to right his floundering club,
First of the changes came yesterday when Outfielder Joe Morjoseph was given his outright release after two one-run losers at Spokane Sunday. Morjoseph, although potentially a sturdy hitter, was covering no ground in right field and was a defensive liability. His outfield position will be covered by K Chorlton, who has been playing out of position at third base.
Moving into Chorlton’s position vacated at the hot-corner post will be Joe Kronberg, released by Spokane. Although Kronberg did not hit too well in his few chances with the Indians, he looked impressive in training camp and the two changes should tighten the A’s defensively at the two positions.
Also added to the club yesterday—on a “look” basis—was Warren Noyes, who toiled for Boise in the Pioneer League last season. Noyes, a fast-balling right-hander, had a 7-15 record with a seventh-place club but ranked third in the league in strikeouts. He is a limited service player.
COSCARART WIRES
Other changes are also pending. Joe Coscarart, former second-baseman of the Pittsburgh Pirates, recently released by Sacramento, wired the Victoria club yesterday about the possibility of catching on with the A’s. The club is definitely interested and may be able to announce his acceptance to terms today. Coscarart appeared in 148 P.C.L. games last season and batted .272. A solid ball player, he could fit into any infield position.
Patterson had nothing further to state of the reported possibility of acquiring Russ Walseth, shortstop for the A’s in 1948 and 1949. Walseth is anxious to return to Victoria and could be back for his third season. Other players are also available and will be acquired if the management feels that they will help.
Meanwhile, the A’s will open a home stand against the champion Yakima Bears tonight with only one change in the line-up. Kronberg will start at third base and bat in the second slot behind Edo Vanni. Jim Moore will be dropped to seventh in the order, behind Al Ronning and ahead of Shortstop Bill Dunn.
Jim Hedgecock, used solely in relief roles since the first week, will probably get the starting call tonight. His mound opponent likely will be Lloyd Dickey, hard-throwing Yakima southpaw ace. Jim Propst, who arrived yesterday afternoon and went immediately to Royal Athletic Park for a workout, will be thrown into the battle Wednesday night if he is ready to start. Either Jake Mooty or Ron Smith will work the afternoon holiday game.
Spokane Signs New Hurler
SPOKANE, May 22—Vern Kohout, a left-handed pitcher, was added to the Spokane Indians roster today and outfielder George Stassi was given his unconditional release.
Solons Reassign Dick Steinhauer
PHOENIX, May 23. (U.P)—The Phoenix Senators announced yesterday the re-assignment of Dick Steinhauer from Yakima of the Western International league to the capital city nine. Steinhauer, Yankee property, will add the left handed power needed in the Phoenix lineup.
The big left-hander, who was converted to the outfield by Phoenix last year, finished high in the Arizona-Texas league batting averages, with a season record of .346 and led the loop in two departments—runs batted in and doubles. He drove in 161 RBIs and hit 45 doubles.
Steinhauer was expected to report to the Phoenix team in El Paso later in the week.
At the same time, the Phoenix front office announced that veteran Pitcher Frank Cirimeli hid been sent to San Bernardino of the Sunset League on 24-hour option.
TACOMA, May 23— Although he dropped eight points during the week, Tacoma's Glenn Stetter continued to pace Western International League hitters, figures released by the league office here disclosed.The Tacoma outfielder connected safely nine times in 23 trips at the plate to finish the week with a .417 mark. Nini Tornay, Yakima catcher, was next line among the regulars who have appeared in 20 games or more with a .393 average, and Gene Thompson of Victoria was third with .365.
Neil Bryant, hard-hitting Tri-City shortstop, took over the lead in the runs-batted-in department driving nine across during the week to bring his total to 32. Teammate Jim Warner was second with 29. Big Joe Rossi, Spokane catcher, pounded out two home runs during the week to bring his season's output to five to take the lead in the long distance division.
Averages through games of May 21:
G AB H RBI HR AVE
Stetter, Tac ...... 30 103 43 26 3.417
Tornay, Yak ....... 26 84 33 18 0 .393
Thompson, Vic. .... 31 118 43 22 4 .365
Greco, Tac ........ 30108 39 23 2 .361
Sheets, Tac ....... 23 82 29 9 0 .354
Chorlton, Vic ..... 31 131 46 24 2 .351
Hjelmaa, Wen ...... 30 112 39 21 0 .348
Bryant, T.C ....... 33 137 45 32 1 .328
Wasley, Sal ....... 30 102 33 21 3 .324
Wilson, T.C ....... 33 118 38 19 0 .322
Mead, Van ......... 28 111 35 18 3 .315
Warner, T.C ....... 33 119 37 29 4 .311
R. Gifford, Tac ... 30 106 33 16 0 .311
Zurcher, Sal ...... 26 84 26 13 0 .310
Catron, Tac ....... 30 101 31 18 0 .307
Robinson, Van. .... 29 135 41 10 0 .304
Clarkson, Van ..... 27 109 33 13 1 .303
Fracchia, Wen ..... 21 73 22 5 0 .301
Monjoseph, Vic .... 13 47 14 10 1 .298
Cheso, Yak ........ 31 111 33 21 1 .297
Unfried, Wen. ..... 28 98 28 10 2 .295
ON THE INSIDE
By DON BECKER, Herald Sports Editor
{May 23/50}
It looks like the Wenatchee baseball club is going to part with a nice chunk of dough for permitting base umpire 'Doc Regele' to get roughed up after they lost to the Braves Sunday night. The canons of baseball are explicit on this point. It is the duty and responsibility of the home club, at all times, to protect the person of the umpire against harm. This the club failed to do, so they may have kissed $500 goodbye.
When the umpires leave the field at Recreation Park, Wenatchee, it is not the same as at Sanders field. Here the umpires go off the field, through the visiting team's dugout and thence to their dressing rooms. At no time is the general public in physical contact with them. But at Wenatchee the officials must walk through the grandstand runway, that's why the people were able to get near enough to pummel Regele.
It would seem though that the umpires would do much better to call the games in Wenatchee from the press box. That is, if you care to accept the statements issued by Bob Robertson, sportscaster at the Chiefs park.
Here are a few things that Robertson had to say, as quoted by United Press. “In the final innings, Regele made numerous calls which gave Tri-City a decided edge.” And this. “Earlier in the game, Regele called a runner safe on a play at third base as Wenatchee sacker Don Fracchia 'obviously' tagged the runner almost 10 feet from the sack on a throw from the outfield.”
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED
The runner that Robertson is talking about here is Neil Bryant. Here is what Bryant had to say about that play.
“I was on second when the ball was hit into left field. Cameron, on third, made a break for the plate after the catch and believing that the throw would be to be home, I started for third. But Fracchia cut off the throw. When I saw him do that I started to slide about 15 feet from the bag. As Fracchia turned to try and tag me he lunged, and went completely over my head. He never came close to touching me. I then got up and walked to third.”
WHO DID THE AGREEING?
Of course Mr. Robertson sitting up in the press box was in a much better position to tell whether Bryant was togged or not. At least that's what he would like to have you believe. Oh yes, this youthful sportscaster (he's in his early twenties) termed the game a “fiasco” and said everyone in the press row at Recreation Park voiced their agreement. As a sidelight on who was doing all the agreeing you will be interested to know that their public address announcer uses his mike to make comments over it concerning the play of the game. And, we are told by members of the Tri-City Braves, Mr. Robertson took occasion, at least once, to lean out of the the press box and shout epithets at Gene Roenspie.
That's the “agreement” that is mentioned. Very unbiased, and decidedly objective reporting. There may have been others present in the press box, there usually are. But as long as they aren't mentioned by name or profession we dislike thinking that they were in “agreement” with Mr. Robertson.
As a committee of one we'd like to know where those reports that Regele was out to “get” Tommy Thompson, manager of the Chiefs, originated. An umpire who even dropped a slight hint along those lines would be run out of baseball for life. The wire story said that Regele had made such a statement. That sort of thing is incredulous.
It looks like the Wenatchee baseball club is going to part with a nice chunk of dough for permitting base umpire 'Doc Regele' to get roughed up after they lost to the Braves Sunday night. The canons of baseball are explicit on this point. It is the duty and responsibility of the home club, at all times, to protect the person of the umpire against harm. This the club failed to do, so they may have kissed $500 goodbye.
When the umpires leave the field at Recreation Park, Wenatchee, it is not the same as at Sanders field. Here the umpires go off the field, through the visiting team's dugout and thence to their dressing rooms. At no time is the general public in physical contact with them. But at Wenatchee the officials must walk through the grandstand runway, that's why the people were able to get near enough to pummel Regele.
It would seem though that the umpires would do much better to call the games in Wenatchee from the press box. That is, if you care to accept the statements issued by Bob Robertson, sportscaster at the Chiefs park.
Here are a few things that Robertson had to say, as quoted by United Press. “In the final innings, Regele made numerous calls which gave Tri-City a decided edge.” And this. “Earlier in the game, Regele called a runner safe on a play at third base as Wenatchee sacker Don Fracchia 'obviously' tagged the runner almost 10 feet from the sack on a throw from the outfield.”
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED
The runner that Robertson is talking about here is Neil Bryant. Here is what Bryant had to say about that play.
“I was on second when the ball was hit into left field. Cameron, on third, made a break for the plate after the catch and believing that the throw would be to be home, I started for third. But Fracchia cut off the throw. When I saw him do that I started to slide about 15 feet from the bag. As Fracchia turned to try and tag me he lunged, and went completely over my head. He never came close to touching me. I then got up and walked to third.”
WHO DID THE AGREEING?
Of course Mr. Robertson sitting up in the press box was in a much better position to tell whether Bryant was togged or not. At least that's what he would like to have you believe. Oh yes, this youthful sportscaster (he's in his early twenties) termed the game a “fiasco” and said everyone in the press row at Recreation Park voiced their agreement. As a sidelight on who was doing all the agreeing you will be interested to know that their public address announcer uses his mike to make comments over it concerning the play of the game. And, we are told by members of the Tri-City Braves, Mr. Robertson took occasion, at least once, to lean out of the the press box and shout epithets at Gene Roenspie.
That's the “agreement” that is mentioned. Very unbiased, and decidedly objective reporting. There may have been others present in the press box, there usually are. But as long as they aren't mentioned by name or profession we dislike thinking that they were in “agreement” with Mr. Robertson.
As a committee of one we'd like to know where those reports that Regele was out to “get” Tommy Thompson, manager of the Chiefs, originated. An umpire who even dropped a slight hint along those lines would be run out of baseball for life. The wire story said that Regele had made such a statement. That sort of thing is incredulous.
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