W L Pct. GB
Tacoma ..... 24 8 .750 —
Salem ...... 20 12 .625 4
Wenatchee .. 18 15 .545 6½
Yakima ..... 16 18 .471 9
Tri-City ... 16 19 .457 9½
Spokane .... 15 20 .429 10½
Vancouver .. 14 19 .424 10½
Victoria ... 11 23 .324 14
By DON BECKER
Tacoma 13 Tri-City 1
KENNEWICK, May 25—Max Patkin, the base-ball clown, was the only pleasant memory left from last night's blood letting at Sanders Field. The “letting” was accomplished by the Tri-City Braves who came up with a total of seven errors, just two short of the league record. The blood came from the broken hearts of the Brave fans as they wandered dismally out of the park.
Charlie Petersen, Braves manager, announced today that effective Friday morning the team would hold a daily three hour batting and fielding practice session. The Braves bats started down the skids at Wenatchee last week and haven't stopped yet, with one or two exceptions.
“We've got to sharpen our eyes and wits, both in the field and at the plate,” said Peterson. “For some reason we seem to bo in a slump on both counts and I'm hoping that these morning sessions will find the cure.” Petersen posted the 10:30 a. m. call on the club's bulletin board this morning.
SIX UNEARNED RUNS
Big Mike Budnick made a good effort on the mound for the Tri-City team last night. And although he gave up nine hits and as many runs, only three of the latter were earned. The rest were gratis. Petersen relieved Budnick in the top of the seventh when the Braves' starter developed severe blisters on his thumb and forefinger.
Tonight in the series finale, Petersen has nominated Jim Olson (1-1) to try and break the spell that the league leaders have woven over the Braves in the first two games of their visit. Friday night the Salem Senators move into Sanders Field for a four-game series, including a double-header Saturday night.
There wore 1819 paying fans in the stands last night to watch the game. Tacoma kicked off the lid in the top of the first with four runs, all they needed. For Mel Knezovich it was his fourth victory of the season against no losses.
STETTER STILL HITTING
The Tiger's league leader in the hitting department is still in love with the Braves. He proved that by pounding out a four-baser, a double, and a single to drive in four runs. First man Wimpy Quinn continued his drive for the league title in “runs batted in” by adding three on a double and a single.
Only Dick Faber, the Tri-City left fielder was able to consistently touch Knezovich last night. Faber passed a double and a single in four efforts and scored the single tally in the sixth on a safe blow by Clint Cameron.
Vic Buccola became the second casualty of the series when he was sidelined with flu. Tuesday night Tacoma second baseman Ronnie Gifford twisted his ankle when he went back on the grass for a high fly ball.
- - - - -
KENNEWICK, May 24 (AP)—The Tacoma Tigers mixed 12 hits with seven Tri-City errors Wednesday night to maul the Braves 13 to 1 before 1819 Western International league fans.
The league leading Tigers scored four times in the first inning and added two more in the fourth on Glen Stetter's double. Pitcher Mel Knezovich doubled home another pair in the fifth.
Mike Budnick, the veteran Seattle castoff, was probably the bravest Brave on the field Wednesday night. With base hits whizzing by and his teammates hobbling the ball constantly, he stayed on the mound for seven innings, fanning three. It was his second straight loss since coming to the WIL. Big Mike was finally lifted after he developed a blister on his pitching hand.
Manager Charley Peterson relieved him in the eighth and was greeted by Stetter who socked a two-run homer.
Tacoma .... 400 221 040—13-12-0
Tri-City .... 000 001 000—1- 5-7
Knezovich and Sheets; Budnick, Peterson (7) and Pesut.
** Note: AP story and linescore have Peterson in the 8th.
SALEM, May 24 — Salem's Senators, helped by the tight four-hit hurling of Bill Osborn and wildness on the part of Wenatchee's Don Ferrarese, defeated the Chiefs 4-1 Wednesday night to even the current league series at one game apiece.
Ferrarese walked eight men in the first two innings, setting up all the Oregonians' runs. He and his successor, Dave Dahle gave up only three hits but the damage has been done.
Wenatchee .. 000 001 000—1 4 8
Salem ......... 130 000 00x—4 3 0
Ferrarese, Dahle (2) and Neal; Osborn and Beard.
VANCOUVER, B. C., May 24— Spokane Indians Wednesday night salvaged the last of a four-game series by dumping Vancouver Capilanos 5-0 behind the five-hit twirling of John Conant. Home runs by Norm Graybar and Joe Rossi sparked the batting.
The Caps took the first game of Wednesday's double header, 12-7, and the series three games to one. The Caps' victory was ensured with an eight-run spree in the eighth inning.
Spokane left-fielder Frank Matoh made one putout in the first game, the only ball hit to left field by Vancouver during the entire series.
First Game
Spokane ...... 000 131 002— 7 8 1
Vancouver ... 002 280 00x— 12 14 6
Roberts, Yerkes (5) and Rossi, Courage (6), Nicholas and Brenner, Heisner (8).
Second Game
Spokane ...... 100 001 012—8 12 0
Vancouver ... 000 000 000—0 5 8
Conant and Rossi; Snyder and Heisner.
VICTORIA, B. C., May 24—What's happened to Yakima?
The team that walked away with the 1949 Western International League pennant was a sad fourth tonight only half a game away from the second division. Even worse, as they stumbled into Vancouver for a four-game set with the Caps, was their five-game losing streak.
Victoria Athletics swept their series with Yakima Bears Wednesday night by winning their third game in a row for the first time this season. The tailenders came from behind in the late innings to overcome a 4-1 lead and win it in the ninth 5-4.
A crowd of over 3.000 ran the attendance for the two holiday games to 8,100.
Victoria won the first 10-7.
The Canadians themselves the sad possessors of a five-game losing streak before Yakima came to town.
First Game
Yakima ...... 020 004 100— 7 11 4
Victoria ..... 512 000 02x—10 10 2
Rial, Lamer (7) and Tornay; Propst, Wilkie (7) and Ronning.
Second Game
Yakima ...... 101 101 000—4 11 1
Victoria ..... 000 100 031—5 8 1
Bradford, Powell (8) and Tasero; Ron Smith and Ronning.
Mooty Goes As A's Cut Staff
[Victoria Colonist, May 25]
Victoria Athletics pared their pitching staff yesterday by handing Jake Mooty his outright release. Acquired at considerable expense, the veteran righthander failed to come through although he pitched his best game Saturday night. His inability, or lack of desire, to work more often is believed to have hastened his release.
Mooty appeared in five games, completing two and pitching a total of 30 innings. He gave up 37 hits, walked 24, struck out nine, hit two batters and had an earned-run average of 6.96. He had an 0-4 record.
Business manager Reg Patterson also announced that Pete Coscarart, second baseman recently released by Sacramento, had placed two high a price on his services and that efforts to sign him had been discontinued. However, other player changes may still be made. Righthander Warren Noyes arrived yesterday.
Wedemeyer Released By Bees
SALT LAKE CITY, May 25—(UP)—The Salt Lake City Bees of the Pioneer league have returned Herman Wedemeyer to Yakima of the Western International loop.
The former St. Mary's college all-American halfback had been playing centerfield for the Bees and batting in the cleanup spot.
He displayed a powerful throwing arm and speed, but opposing pitchers have been getting effective results with a curve ball against him.
Tierney Leads Willy Pitchers
TACOMA, MAy 24—John Tierney of Salem retained his Western International league pitching leadership by hurling his seventh victory Sunday, when he turned in a 2-1 conquest of Yakima, figures released Wednesday by the league office revealed.
Runner-up to Tierney and his 7-0 season's record was Tacoma's Bob Kerrigan, who racked up No. 6 without a defeat last Thursday, gaining a 5-2 verdict over the Yakima club.
The week's play saw Gil Loust of Tacoma handed his first defeat, the young right hander receipting for the setback when he appeared in a relief role Sunday against Vancouver and yielding the deciding runs in the Capilanos' 9-5, 10-inning triumph over the league-leading Tigers.
Tom Breisinger of Wenatchee was far ahead of all rivals in the strikeout race, adding 15 more whiffs to his record in two appearances to arrive at a total of 63.
Another Wenatchee hurler, Don Ferrarese, continued to lead in the issuance of walks, having doled out 57 free trips although owning a winning record of 5-2 to date.
Kerrigan's record of but 10 passes in 58 2/3 innings remained the league's best in that department.
The record (including games of Monday, May 22, for all pitchers with decisions):
W L SO Pct.
Tierney, Sal. ...... 7 0 29 1.000
Kerrigan, Tac. ..... 6 0 19 1.000
Knezovich, Tac. .... 3 0 15 1.000
Powell, Yak. ....... 2 0 8 1.000
Ragni. Wen. ........ 5 1 44 .833
Loust, Tac. ........ 5 1 13 .833
Savarese, Yak. ..... 3 1 21 .750
Bradford, Yak. ..... 3 1 21 .750
Marshall, Vic. ..... 3 1 28 .750
Waibel, Sal. ....... 3 1 26 .750
Snyder, Van. ....... 5 2 21 .714
Ferrarese, Wen. .... 5 2 45 .714
Stone, T-C ......... 4 2 22 .667
Theater Hauls Braves Into Court
Drive-In Show Seeks Light Glare Reduction
KENNEWICK, May 25—Fifty four lights at Sanders Field have been shielded against possible glare on patrons of the Hi-Land Drive In theater, Harry Owens said today. Owens, president of the Tri-City Athletic Association, owners of the park, added that four more of the 60 lights on the west side of the park are now in the process of being shielded.
Owens made the statement in answer to an Injunction secured by the theater owners to force the Tri-City Baseball club to cut down the glare from the lights at its night games.
Owens also said that lighting experts from General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., and from the west coast had worked on the problem. The association president said the shields was their answer to the glare problem.
Conversations between the theater owners and the ball park owners commenced immediately after the opening of the baseball season, April 18. The theater concern said the lights have brought protests from its patrons but that the ball club management has refused to make any alterations.
Damages asked included $25,000 for alleged depreciation of property value $4,000 for lost profits In 20 nights, and $200 each night the glare continues.
The action calling for the cut down of the glare was filed by attorney Cameron Sherwood of Walla Walla on behalf of the Hi Land Drive-In Corp., in the federal court at Yakima.
ON THE INSIDE
By DON BECKER, Herald Sports Editor
[from column of May 25/50]
“Look,” blurts this somewhat irate Brave fan, “the ball went right between that shortstop's legs, yet the batter gets credit for a hit, How come? Whassa matter boy, you been standing in the sun too long lately?”
The thing is, the fan answered his own question when he asked it, and we mean the first question Buster. The other we'll take up at a little later date. Say around the hot stove league next winter. But getting back to the original point, when is a hit, and when isn't it, probably the host way to define one is first of all define an error. This definition comes in rule 10.10 on scoring with sub-paragraphs (a) through (h). But the one we're concerned with is the first paragraph.
This reads, “An error shall be scored for each misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) which prolongs the time at bat of a batter, or which prolongs the life of a runner, or which permits a runner to advance one or more bases when perfect piay would have resulted in the batter or the runner being retired.” Now, note carefully those words in parenthesis and you'll see why the batter was credited with a hit. . .the ball was not touched by the shortstop. So, ergo, instead of just a big AB he has a single. In other words, the fielder must handle the ball.
Let's suppose there's an easy, bouncing ground ball hit in the infield and the player to whom it's hit doesn't make a motion toward it. Does the batter get a hit? You bet he does. . .what happens to the infielder later shouldn't happen to a T-bone steak.
HIT AND AN ERROR
“But,” argued our friend, “if the player doesn't make an easy play, or lets one scoot between his legs, why shouldn't he be charged with an error?” The answer to that lies in the leeway that would be given the scorer. As the rules read today there are many cases where the judgment of the scorer is the sole rule on whether the batter gets a hit or the fielder an error.
As an example take the case of Vic Buccola Tuesday night. We'll go through the play as it happened, give you our official ruling on it, and then tell you why we called it as we did. This is a good example of what we mean by scoring relying on judgement.
A PERFECT BUNT.
Buccola was at bat and laid down a bunt along the third base line. Tacoma's hot sacker, Mike Catron raced in, picked up the ball and fired to Wimpy Quinn at first. The throw was wide, pulling Quinn off the bag and the play was scored as an error on Catron and a hit for Buccola. The error of course is obvious. Why did Vic get a hit? It was our judgment that even though had Catron made a perfect play of the ball that Buccola still would have beat the throw to the bag. A sale rule to follow is the one cited in the book, rule 10.04 (g) which reads in part, “Always give the batter the benefit of the doubt.” However, we'd like to point out that in the case we've just cited there was no doubt, in our mind that Buccola would have boon safe.
MENTAL ONES DON'T COUNT
There's one thing you can't do. . .you can't charge a player for a mental error. Here's something that the fans saw Tuesday night that fits this category. Nick Pesut hit a line drive out over second base with the bags loaded. Dick Wenner, Tacoma centerfielder started in toward second, but too late realixcd he had misjudged the ball. So Wenner had to turn and race back. He missed the ball, three runs scored and Pesut got a double.
In 99 times out of 100 Wenner would never haye made this mistake. He's a good outfielder. So what you do? Give him an error and Pesut no hit. Obviously if they permitted scoring to get down to that kind of reasoning there's no telling where the thing would end.
By DON BECKER, Herald Sports Editor
[from column of May 25/50]
“Look,” blurts this somewhat irate Brave fan, “the ball went right between that shortstop's legs, yet the batter gets credit for a hit, How come? Whassa matter boy, you been standing in the sun too long lately?”
The thing is, the fan answered his own question when he asked it, and we mean the first question Buster. The other we'll take up at a little later date. Say around the hot stove league next winter. But getting back to the original point, when is a hit, and when isn't it, probably the host way to define one is first of all define an error. This definition comes in rule 10.10 on scoring with sub-paragraphs (a) through (h). But the one we're concerned with is the first paragraph.
This reads, “An error shall be scored for each misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) which prolongs the time at bat of a batter, or which prolongs the life of a runner, or which permits a runner to advance one or more bases when perfect piay would have resulted in the batter or the runner being retired.” Now, note carefully those words in parenthesis and you'll see why the batter was credited with a hit. . .the ball was not touched by the shortstop. So, ergo, instead of just a big AB he has a single. In other words, the fielder must handle the ball.
Let's suppose there's an easy, bouncing ground ball hit in the infield and the player to whom it's hit doesn't make a motion toward it. Does the batter get a hit? You bet he does. . .what happens to the infielder later shouldn't happen to a T-bone steak.
HIT AND AN ERROR
“But,” argued our friend, “if the player doesn't make an easy play, or lets one scoot between his legs, why shouldn't he be charged with an error?” The answer to that lies in the leeway that would be given the scorer. As the rules read today there are many cases where the judgment of the scorer is the sole rule on whether the batter gets a hit or the fielder an error.
As an example take the case of Vic Buccola Tuesday night. We'll go through the play as it happened, give you our official ruling on it, and then tell you why we called it as we did. This is a good example of what we mean by scoring relying on judgement.
A PERFECT BUNT.
Buccola was at bat and laid down a bunt along the third base line. Tacoma's hot sacker, Mike Catron raced in, picked up the ball and fired to Wimpy Quinn at first. The throw was wide, pulling Quinn off the bag and the play was scored as an error on Catron and a hit for Buccola. The error of course is obvious. Why did Vic get a hit? It was our judgment that even though had Catron made a perfect play of the ball that Buccola still would have beat the throw to the bag. A sale rule to follow is the one cited in the book, rule 10.04 (g) which reads in part, “Always give the batter the benefit of the doubt.” However, we'd like to point out that in the case we've just cited there was no doubt, in our mind that Buccola would have boon safe.
MENTAL ONES DON'T COUNT
There's one thing you can't do. . .you can't charge a player for a mental error. Here's something that the fans saw Tuesday night that fits this category. Nick Pesut hit a line drive out over second base with the bags loaded. Dick Wenner, Tacoma centerfielder started in toward second, but too late realixcd he had misjudged the ball. So Wenner had to turn and race back. He missed the ball, three runs scored and Pesut got a double.
In 99 times out of 100 Wenner would never haye made this mistake. He's a good outfielder. So what you do? Give him an error and Pesut no hit. Obviously if they permitted scoring to get down to that kind of reasoning there's no telling where the thing would end.
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