Coast Decides on 20 Players

January 16, 1924

COAST DECIDES

ON 20 PLAYERS

IN MIDSEASON

Constitution Cleared to Avoid Repetition of Row Caused by McCarthy-Two Spitball Pitchers Added.

Special to The Times.

OAKLAND, Wednesday, Jan. 16. -The Pacific Coast League continued its meeting yesterday at the Hotel Oakland, with several changes accepted in its constitution, the insurance question closed and the agreement on the part of the owners to give its moral support to the organization of the Southern California League.

William Lane of Salt Lake, Oscar Reichow of Los Angeles, and Fred Rivers of Portland were called upon to suggest changes in the constitution. Their final decisions were as follows:

That a majority of the league voters can elect a man to office instead of the old rule of requiring five members to name an officer. 

That the president of the league has no power to vote on any issue. 

That in the event of an appointment of a new director to a club, the league can refuse to recognize him, but has to recognize the club.

That the annual meeting of the league will be held in November instead of October.

President Harry Williams, Alfred Putnam of-San Francisco, Oscor Reichow of Los Angeles and Herbert McFarline of Oakland were appointed to revise the by-laws of the league and to put them in simpler language.

The representatives of the clubs agreed to the insurance question, The league will carry its own insurance with an aggregate sum of $88,400 for the first four weeks, the first four Sundays, the first four Saturdays, and the last two weeks of the season. Each club will be assessed an equal amount of the total premium.

The league also pledged its moral support to the organization of the Southern California League, a Class C circuit, Santa Ana, Glendale, San Diego, and Longbeach will compose the league. It was also announced by William Lane of Salt Lake that he was leaving immediately after the meeting for Fresno, where he will formulate plans for a San Joaquin Valley League, to consist of four clubs. The winners of the Southern California and Valley League pennants will meet in a post-season series for the championship. The player limit was set at twenty from June 3 to September 1 with twenty-five allowed at other times.

A resolution fostered by President Williams calling for payment of part of the expenses of league umpires was passed. Each umpire will be allowed $3 a day for the fourteen weeks of the season.

An invitation to Mike Sexton, president of the Minor League Association, to visit the Pacific Coast League as guest of the organization, was extended in a resolution.

To the league's list of certified spitball pitchers was added the names of Elmer Reiger and Boston Bill James. Under this arrangement only listed spitball pitchers may dampen the ball before a delivery is made.

Passing of the so-called "booze cage" in parks under the control of the league was indicated by a vote... (Seattle Daily Times)

Rohwer Stays With Seattle; 1924 Coast League Schedule Set

 

ROHWER STAYS WITH SEATTLE; CASH REFUSED

Indians Willing to Trade Outfielder for Players-Season

Will Open and Close One Week Later Than 1923.

Special to The Times.

OAKLAND, Tuesday, Jan. 15 .- Charley Lockard, president of the Seattle Baseball Club, made efforts to interest his fellow directors, at the Pacific Coast League meeting yesterday, in a deal for Ray Rohwer, hard-hitting outfielder.

Lockard was unable to make a deal and decided to retain the former California player. The St. Louis Cardidinals offered cash and Bill Pertica, former Los Angeles pitcher, but their offer was turned down.

"We want players and not cash," said Lockard.

The Seattle chief is still angling to dispose of "Doc" Johnston, veteran first baseman, as It has been decided to open the season with Jimmy Welsh at first.'

Lockard is anxious to obtain another pitcher and an outfielder. The Indians still have a catcher coming from the Cubs. "Kettle" Wirts was offered Seattle, but his services were refused. Very" little - was accomplished at yesterday's meeting, other than the adoption of the 1924 schedule. The meeting will be continued today, at which time the player limit will be considered.

The season will open and close week later this year than in the past. the opening week being April 8. This was adopted against the advice of Williams, who claimed that it would interfere with the football season.

The schedule was submitted by Herbert McFarline, secretary of the Oakland Club. The opening, closing and holiday dates were announced as follows:

OPENING WEEK

Vernon at Sacramento

Oakland at Salt Lake

Portland at San Francisco

Seattle at Los Angeles

Decoration Day.

Sacramento at San Francisco.

Salt Lake at Los Angeles.

Oakland at Seattle.

Vernon at Portland.

Independence Day.

Salt Lake at Oakland.

Sacramento at Vernon.

Lon Angeles at Seattle.

San Francisco at Portland.

Labor Day.

Salt Lake at San Francisco.

Sacramento at Los Angeles.

Vernon at Seattle.

Oakland at Portland.

Closing Week.

Oakland at San Francisco.

Vernon at Los Angeles

Seattle at Portland,

Salt Lake at: Sacramento.

Seattle Game 1, April 8, 1924

In the 1924 Pacific Coast League season, the Seattle Indians and the Los Angeles Angels faced off in a thrilling game at Washington Park. The Indians had just wrapped up their spring training in Los Angeles and were ready to take on the Angels on their home ground. Washington Park, nestled next to Chutes Park on Main Street between Washington and 21st, was a bustling sports venue. It was the home ground for the Angels before they made their move to LA’s Wrigley Field in 1925.

The Seattle Daily Times covered the game in detail in its April 9, 1924 issue. Fans in Seattle had the opportunity to follow the game ‘live’ through an automatic ‘player’ displayed outside the Times’ offices in Seattle’s Times Square, facing 5th Avenue at Stewart.

The game was a duel between two seasoned pitchers, Vean Gregg for Seattle and Otis Crandall for Los Angeles. Both pitchers showcased their skills in a beautifully pitched ball game. The Angels emerged victorious with a score of 5 to 1, a victory witnessed by a crowd of 10,364 spectators.

Crandall’s victory came when Gregg’s defense faltered once. Frank Emmer, who was substituting for the injured Ted Baldwin at third base for the Indians, misjudged a hit from Flea McAuley. This allowed two runs to score and set the stage for a double steal that brought in a third run.

Despite this setback, the Seattle team managed to get eleven hits off the Angel veteran, while the Angels got nine off Gregg and Bill Plummer, who relieved the southpaw. Each team had one walk, so honors were virtually even.

The pitchers’ battle was a sight to behold. They appeared to be in midseason form, working the corners of the plate with balls not too good to hit, and mixing their curves, fast ones, and change of pace in pretty shape. They were best in the pinches, easing along when there were no men on bases, and slowing their work when men got on.

Seattle set the stage for a score early when Brady singled sharply to left. However, the Indians didn’t quit after the Angels’ scoring spree. Brady and Crane opened the sixth with singles, but the necessary hit in the pinch was missing. Despite the loss, the game was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams. It was a memorable start to the 1924 Pacific Coast League season.