July 12, 1919 - Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) - Elberfeld waiver trouble
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1919 - THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE, LITTLE ROCK
Frank Is Trying to Make Trouble for Little Rock
But His Refusal to Waive on Elberfeld as a Player Will Have No Serious Effect, Says Secretary Bobby Allen in Memphis.
Action of Charles Frank, president of the Atlanta club, in refusing to grant waivers on Manager Elberfeld of the Little Rock club as a player will have no serious effect on the Traveler team, Secretary Bobby Allen Jr. said over the long-distance telephone last night. Bobby is in charge of the team on the Memphis trip. His father, President Allen, is in the North somewhere, in a frantic search for players to bolster up the team for the final dash for the pennant.
At the beginning of the season, Elberfeld signed a player's contract, so that he could go out on the coaching lines and act as emergency fielder. When Ray Kennedy joined the teamm, it already had seven veteran players, and so, according to the league rules, it was necessary to release one veteran. Elberfeld released himself as a player to make room for the little overseas hero. An Associated Press dispatch yesterday carried the information that Frank had refused to waive on Elberfeld as a player.
Elberfeld Released as a Player.
"As a matter of fact, we released Elberfeld as a player before getting waivers on him," said Secretary Allen over the telephone. "As matters now stand, we could not force Elberfeld to play ball for us, even if we wanted to, although he is manager of the team. It naturally follows that we could not dispose of his services to Atlanta, even if we wanted to, which we most emphatically do not." "It is true that we broke a league rule in releasing Elberfeld before getting waivers on him, but the granting of waivers in such a matter is considered a courtesy among the various clubs, and we never dreamed that anyone would refuse to waive. No one but Frank would have done so. It is possible that the elub will be subjected to a fine if Frank presses the matter. Of course, we wouldn't he surprised if he did that, too. However, that is the worst, thing that could happen to the club. Elberfeld will continue to manage the club from the bench and Kennedy will continue with the team.
"It is simply another effort of Frank to demonstrate his smartness and make trouble, which seems to be his chief delight. If he thinks that he has done something smart, he is welcome to that satisfaction."
Slapnicka on His Way.
An Associated Press dispatch last night said that Birmingham had turned the veteran pitcher, Cy Slapnicka, over to Little Rock, which claimed him on waivers. Elberfeld thinks that the old boy still can pitch winning ball for him. At least, Cy should be of some value as a relief pitcher. Secretatry Allen said that Slapnicka was granted three days to prepare for his moving and that he will join the club in Little Rock early next week. Bobby said that Robinson was nearly prostrated by the heat in yesterday's game at Memphis, which accounts for the eminent southpaw's disappointing showing.
Frank Is Trying to Make Trouble for Little Rock
But His Refusal to Waive on Elberfeld as a Player Will Have No Serious Effect, Says Secretary Bobby Allen in Memphis.
Action of Charles Frank, president of the Atlanta club, in refusing to grant waivers on Manager Elberfeld of the Little Rock club as a player will have no serious effect on the Traveler team, Secretary Bobby Allen Jr. said over the long-distance telephone last night. Bobby is in charge of the team on the Memphis trip. His father, President Allen, is in the North somewhere, in a frantic search for players to bolster up the team for the final dash for the pennant.
At the beginning of the season, Elberfeld signed a player's contract, so that he could go out on the coaching lines and act as emergency fielder. When Ray Kennedy joined the teamm, it already had seven veteran players, and so, according to the league rules, it was necessary to release one veteran. Elberfeld released himself as a player to make room for the little overseas hero. An Associated Press dispatch yesterday carried the information that Frank had refused to waive on Elberfeld as a player.
Elberfeld Released as a Player.
"As a matter of fact, we released Elberfeld as a player before getting waivers on him," said Secretary Allen over the telephone. "As matters now stand, we could not force Elberfeld to play ball for us, even if we wanted to, although he is manager of the team. It naturally follows that we could not dispose of his services to Atlanta, even if we wanted to, which we most emphatically do not." "It is true that we broke a league rule in releasing Elberfeld before getting waivers on him, but the granting of waivers in such a matter is considered a courtesy among the various clubs, and we never dreamed that anyone would refuse to waive. No one but Frank would have done so. It is possible that the elub will be subjected to a fine if Frank presses the matter. Of course, we wouldn't he surprised if he did that, too. However, that is the worst, thing that could happen to the club. Elberfeld will continue to manage the club from the bench and Kennedy will continue with the team.
"It is simply another effort of Frank to demonstrate his smartness and make trouble, which seems to be his chief delight. If he thinks that he has done something smart, he is welcome to that satisfaction."
Slapnicka on His Way.
An Associated Press dispatch last night said that Birmingham had turned the veteran pitcher, Cy Slapnicka, over to Little Rock, which claimed him on waivers. Elberfeld thinks that the old boy still can pitch winning ball for him. At least, Cy should be of some value as a relief pitcher. Secretatry Allen said that Slapnicka was granted three days to prepare for his moving and that he will join the club in Little Rock early next week. Bobby said that Robinson was nearly prostrated by the heat in yesterday's game at Memphis, which accounts for the eminent southpaw's disappointing showing.