The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 31

PILOT PORT AM Happy Days Here Again Sports' Old Pilot Returning SPRING DRILLS SCHEDULED TO START MARCH 10 (Ehe Shrtofporl (Timts is ivurcinirniio PPi pp SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1946 Seventeen Players Have Been Signed; White Sox, to Send Talent ARKBR ppMH pspsppn Til lire 0 MM a. h. I 1 By JOE R. CARTER Francis J. "Salty' Parker, who 1 I 111 nun I mm 2 i fir V'-- 'I'-J 0 1, ,3 -3 1 1 Revival of organized baseball In Shreveport was given Its greatest Impetus Saturday with the signing of Francis "Salty" Parker to pilot the local club In the Texas league pennant race this summer.

Parker was manager of the Sports when the Texas league shutdown for the duration of the war. Upper left shows Parker In batting practice Just before the opening of the Dixie series playoff In 1942. Upper right Is Parker, Mrs. Parker and their daughter, who now has reached the ripe old age of about six years. Lower right Parker Is discussing ground rules with Manager Bob Johnson of the Tulsa Oilers before the first game of the Shaughnessy playoff in 1941.

(Times Photos) SEVEN MANAGERS SIGNED BY TEXAS LEAGUE CLUBS WITH BEAUMONT SEEKING LEADER pi i i Plans Complete for Resumption of Play With Work on Parks, Playing Fields Being Rushed; Officials to Meet Saturday By HAROLD V. RATLIFF Dallas. Jan. 12 (JPs. Seven of eight managers have been named, admis State's Tiro Bowl Games The spectacle of two post-season football bowl games In Louisiana Is not only a probability but a possibility since the Louisiana Sports association, composed of business men of Baton Rouge, has bowed its neck.

in behalf of one of these classics for the state capital, at the home of Louisiana State Tigers. The Louisiana Sports association la seeking to tie up the eastern conference champion over a period of four years, and." the question arising in our mind Is whether this Is good policy, both from the sponsors angle and for the conference. The Rose bowl committee Is pledged to accept the Pacific Coast conference champion for Its New Tear'a day program at Pasadena, Calif, and It generally understood that there have been times when the sponsors of that even would have been happier had such an agreement not existed. The Rose bowl officials would have been In a position to dicker with St. Mary's colorful young Gaels last December had the promoters not been bound to accept the Pacific Coast conference crown-bearera and that club's guest team.

Since Its money that talks In post-season classics, a tle-np by the Southeastern conference would not be good business policy. The Alabama Crimson Tide received approximately $124,000 for plaving In the Rose bowl game this year and that's quite a difference from the $75,000 that will be top pay for the Baton Rouge game should plans materialize. With an established attendance In advance of 70,000, and the probability that it will soon be able to care for 80,000 or more, the Sngar bpwl of New Orleans will be In a position to offer In advance of $75,000, and with that association always desirous of getting an outstanding attraction, the Southeastern conference champion would need not fear being passed up. There is little doubt that a bowl game In Baton Rouge would be well supported since the Sugar bowl has been playing to overflow crowds, and without making any great effort to attract fans from beyond its own gates. Thousands who could not be accommodated at the Sugar bowl would turn to a contest at the state capital, and there probably would be times when the Baton Rouge event would be more attractive, on paper at least, than the New Orleans offering.

For the Southeastern conference to pledge its champion to the game or lor the Louisiana Sports association to obligate itself to the crown-bearer is a question that Is debatable. With so many bowl games looking for outstanding clubs. It appears the conference would be getting the worst of the bargain. If Alabama agrees to the proposal from Baton Rouge, that would mean about $50,000 less than the Tide received at Pasadena New Tear'a day. we will be ready to admit that football has at last been given back to the students.

Giants Are Coming Horace Stonehan's willingness to spend $175,000 for the contract of Catcher Walker Cooper and his anxiety to tosa in another $100,000 for Max Lanier, pitcher. First Baseman-Outfielder Johnny Hopp and Otuflelder Ervln Dusek indicates the New Tork Yankees will have to look to their laurels In bidding for home-town patronage. The Yankees will have an ace to toss at the Giants In the battle for favoritism with the return of Joe DiMagglo to the New York American league lineup, but with Walker Cooper on duty, and the possibility that several other stars will be added, the National league outfit will be hard to beat as a box office attraction. With a team that has been in the first division only once in seven years, the Giants played to a million fans at the Polo Grounds last year, proof that the late John McGraw's old outfit still has a tremendous following. Manager Mel Ott is popular with the New York fans and if the little pilot can get the talent to make his club a serious pennant contender It will take more than the genius of Larry MacPhall to put the Giants out of the spotlight.

The handwrlthig Is on the wall. The Giants are not only going out after the pennant, but Stonebam Is evidently planning to outshine MacPbaU. Free-for-All Fight The sports world is watching with Interest the fight being made by the All-America Professional football for recognition. The new organization, in Its effort to overcome the obstacles encountered in the form of the veteran National Football league, is spending money like an Intoxicated gent, with the result that great and former-great pigskin performers are gathering In big hunks of cash. The biggest financial battle is In New York, where Ian Topping has taken over the Yankee stadium for the home of his All-America team, and threatens the popularity of the Giants, who are forced to do their playing -at the Polo Grounds.

The past week Topping signed Frank le Sinkwich, and the former Georgia fire-ball of the gridiron sion prices set and each city is making extensive improvements to Its park aa the Texas leasrue nreoared to resume baseball play after a lapse Of called tne scneauie meeting nere ior time all arrangements will be completed BALLARD-MORENO VMNER VITLL WITH CURTIS, LIGHT-HEAVY piloted the Shreveport Sports to the Texas league championship In 1942. will manage the local club this summer. This announcement was made yes terday by Bonneau Peters, president cf the Shrevenort Sports, on receipt of a letter from the Montreal club of "9 International league, where Parker served as second baseman last season. The deal for Parker consummated. weeks of negotiations between Shrevenort.

Montreal and the Brooklyn cluls of the National league that owns the Montreal franchise. "We never really considered anyone else for tbe position, Peters said. course, we bad few other applicants In mind In the event we were unable to ob- tain Parker, but our main effort was centerd on getting back tha-field leader who proved such success the two years he was ln-charge here. It was only through the friendship of Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn club, that Shreveport was able to obtain Parker, said Peters. Parker was an outstanding performer for the Montreal club In 194S and finished the season with a batting mark of .302 per cent.

He was named to a position on tbe International League All-Stars and had fitted into the plans of Montreal for the 1946 campaign. In addition to giving the Sports pennant in 1942, Parker put the local' club into the Shaughnessy playoff In 1941. He first became the property of Shreveport in 1939 and was farmed to Lubbock, Texas, as player-manager. He won a pennant there. He was transferred to Marshall of the East Texas league in 1940 as player-man ager and won a championship there.

He was then recalled by Shreveport as player manager for the season of 1941. When the Texas league shutdown for the duration of the war. Parker was sold to St. Paul of the American association as player-manager. After the 1943 season he went Into the armed service but was given his discharge In, 1944 and was sold by St Paul to Montreal.

Peters said that Parker will arrive In Shreveport about the middle of February to check over material being signed for the Sports and to help with plana to open the training season March- 10. Parker will be accompanied by Mrs. Parker, his seven-year--" old daughter, Jean-Marie; arid, another daughter Just two-years old, who will be a newcomer td Shreveport. Hub Northen. who served as aid to Parker, and who has been connected with the local club for about five years in various capacity, has been In Shreveport for more than a week.

As scout for the team he has been assisting President Peters in rounding up young talent in- this j. Aon. At present the Sports have seventeen players under contract, with more experienced talent to be obtained later from the Chicago White Sox and to be purchased. Players signed are: Pitchers Joe Calloway from Malvern, Paul Walko from the Army; James Erwin, left bander, Texarkana, Texas, Ed Greene, Jr Shreveport, Billy Harris, left-bander, Texarktana, Texas: Louis Osborn, left hander, Shreveport; Paul Cook, Bastrop, Trablvs Porter, Longvlew; Texas. Catchers Salvator Demma, Chattanooga In Southern association in 1945: Elston McGee, Shreveport Victory league.

Inflelders Harrell Van Pelt, from Camp Livingston; Ira Glass, tnflelder. from Texas semi-pro ball; Hughes Springs, Texas; Gleen Wise, lnflelder, Arkansas: Chris Sedaris. Shreveport. Outfielders Jos. Defretio, from Army; Bobby Duncan, with Hot Springs of the Cotton States league before going into the army; Doyle Fritz, from semi-pro ranks of Los Angeles, California.

Northen says the ability of the youngsters has been checked. He signed Glass, lnflelder, former with Texas A. and last week, when at least two major league scouts were on his trail. The Sports may open their exhibition season March 23 with Memphis of the Southern association. Memphis Is to train in Henderson, Texas.

Orange, Cotton Bowls Next Aim of Alabama Birmingham. Jan. 12. Frank Thomas' Alabama team will be al-' most intact for the 1946 season, the junior year for most of tbe They already have played in the' Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Where will they go next? Maybe the Orange Bowl.

The players would like to visit Miami: in case they are in line for another invitation next fall. Harry Gilmer, the Tide's No. 1 star, said the boys would like to make the rounds, in fact, visiting Miami Jan. 1, 1947, and the Cotton Bowl in Dallas the next year. Frank Thomas is at heart a Sugar Bowler.

He would have gone back there this year but for the boys. He left It to them, and naturally they voted for a trip. Now in addition to the Sugar, Rose, Orange, and Cotton Bowls, there Is the Oil Bowl at Houston, and Maybe a new Bowl game at Batoji Rouge. The latter is being talkeH up now, but the promoters want the Southeastern conference, of which Alabama is a member, to agree to send its champion team at Baton Rouge each year. That may gum.

up the plans of these cocky young- sters. The University of Miami's 1945 football record was the best since the sport was started there in 1927. Rams Move to Los Angeles New York, Jan. 12 (JP). The championship Cleveland Rams of the National Professional Football league today requested and were granted permission to move their franchise to Los Angeles, effective Immediately.

The request was made at the annual National Football league meeting by Dan Reeves, president of the Rams who whipped. the Washington Redskins, 15-14, In the championship playoff at Cleveland last month. -The reason I'm moving to Los Angeles." Reeves explained. Is that I believe It will become the greatest professional football town In the country. 5 Harrison Places Added Inducement for Victory on Monday's Event Otis 'Barefoot Ballard, the powerful hill-billy of Tennessee, and Carlos Moreno, South American wrestling champion, have been Informed that the winner of their grappling match in the auditorium Monday night will be matched with Jack Curtis, llght-heavywelght title hold er.

In a championship bout Monday January 21. Curtis has appeared here in two non-title bouts past month but Promoter Gladden Harrison said that he has arranged with the good-look lng Mississipplan to give either Ballard or Moreno chance at the crown. Because Ballard has been successful here, the fans have been requesting that he be pitted against Curtis. As Moreno claims the light-heavyweight wrestling honors of South America, Harrison felt it would be proper to give the foreigner a chance at Curtis if he Is capable of defeating the hill billy. Ballard-Moreno bout will be the last half of a double man event, and will be for the best two falls out of three, ninety-minute time limit.

The first half of a double windup will find Roland Meeker, a Shreveport representative. Just out of the navy, taking on Jack 'Red' Carter, of Australia, formerly of the merchant marine. Meeker displayed lots of grappling skill in defeating Al Olson here the past Monday night, although he took the match on two hour notice. He was making rapid progress as a professional wrestler when the war interrupted his plans. He Is one of the finest developed men in America.

Gus 'Don' Edd, who has been campaigning In Texas, will be Introduced to local mat fans in a one-fall bout with the popular Sailor Parker. Promoter Harrison said that to accomodate the fans tickets will be on sale Monday at Evans Sporting Goods store and Firestone service station. There will be special section for colored patrons. New Grid Loop May Have Fine Stadium, No Ball Chicago, Jan. 12.

Elmer Layden, National Football league head "cracked" about the rival ail-Ameri can league "first getting a Maybe the A-A has a ball and maybe it hasn't, but Elmer can look out of bis Michigan avenue window and see that the Chicago club in the rival league has a home the spa cious Soldier Field. John L. Keeshln, Chicago A-A magnate, has a ten-year lease on It. .7. i' auy Airey, veteran obscdbu kuwv, Conn Anxious to Solve Income Tax for Louis Match Challenger May.

Get Less Than $100,000 From Pay of $500,000 By BUS HAM Washington, Jan. 12 (P). Billy Conn literally is trying to punch his way out of a puzzling income tax situation in connection wltti his forthcoming fight with Joe Louis. He has asked the Internal revenue department to serve as a sort of sec ond. Conn will receive an estimated $500,000 for meeting1 Louis In a world heavyweight championship bout next June.

But Conn, It was learned. Is wor rled over whether be will have a sizeable chunk of that fortune left after the government takes its per centage under the Income tax law. Under certain conditions, his take home iav for faclne Louis may be less than 9400,000. The unpredictable Pittsburgh kid recently came straight to high in ternal revenue department officials here, explained his case and asked their advice. He is expected to return soon for their interpretations.

Conn wanted to know, in partlcu lar: Whether he could deduct payments to managers, trainers and others in the retinue of a championship con tender. Whether he could average his earn ings for the Louis fight back over the time he spent in the armed forces under a carry-back provision In the tax law, thereby effecting a consid erable saving. Tax experts Informally told a ie porter that: Under the straight sliding Income tax scale, the government would take approximately 85 per cent of the fight purses, or $407,464 of Conn's es timated $500,000. But Conn probably will be allowed to deduct all expenses of preparing for the fight, including payments to managers, trainers and others, en abling him to retain for himself a more substantial sum. Conn made it clear to revenue officials that if Louis beats him badly Louis knocked him out In the 13th round of a great fight in 1941 his big-purse days probably will be over.

And that he still will be virtually broke despite having earned $500,000 in one bout unless he gets a "break" in tax payments. Junction City Will Have Dual State Meet Jan. 31 'Junction City, Jan. 12 (Special). Junction High school's annual, three day, dual state basketball tournament will start here Jan.

31, it was an nounced today by Principal A. C. Adklns. The meet will close Feb. 2 with the naming of a champion and consolidate winner.

Junction City, located on the Louisiana-Arkansas line will welcome three vears. President J. Alvln Gardner has next Saturday and Sunday at which for opening the season In April. Beaumont, recently purcnasea by has not yet named its manager. Airey has-been 111 and unable to begin work toward building a club or naming a manager at Beaumont.

Managers of the other clubs will be: Shreveport, Frances Parker; Dal las, Al Vincent; Port Worth, Ray Hayworth; Houston, Johnny Keane; Oklahoma City, Leroy Schalk; San Antonio, Jimmy Tulsa, Gus Mancuso. The minimum scale admission prices has been set as follows: Bleach ers, 60 cents for adults, 30 cents for students; grandstand, 90 cents for adults, 30 cents for students; reserved seats, $1.15 for adults, 55 cents for students; box seats, $1.30 for adults, 70 cents for students. This represents a raise over prices in 1942 but only because 'the federal tax Is double what it was then. Secretary Milton Price says. In Oklahoma and Louisiana there also are state taxes.

Spring training for all the clubs will begin in March with several working away from home. Fort Worth will train at Daytona Beach, because that'a where Brooklyn and its farm clubs, Montreal and St. Paul, will train. Fort Worth Is owned by Brooklyn. The Cat players will be selected there and will come to Fort Worth about April 1.

Oklahoma City will train at Tyler starting March lO and Tulsa at New Braunfels opening March 11. Shreveport will train at home. Beaumont plans have not been announced but Dallas, San Antonio and Houston will noia spring training at home. President BUI Isley of San Antonio says he has signed 15 players. Oklahoma City owns contracts of nine players, Shreveport has signed a half dozen young free agents, and a couple of seasoned athletes, Tulsa has 35 players on the line, Dallas has 15 and Houston five.

However, in the case of Houston most of the players coming to spring camp In mid-March (Continue On Follawln Pact) NORTHWESTERN HAS NORSE SKI WOMAN GOLF STAR Chicago, 111., Jan. 12. Northwestern university has Max Morris, nationally rated star In both football and basketball, but it also has two stars famous outside its own sports program. Going to school there is Phyllis Otto, top star In women's golf, and Rolf Enersen, Norwegian junior champion Miss Otto is a senior majoring In English and Is trying to keep golf out of her mind for. the time being.

But when spring comes she'll be out on the university's course getting ready for the Women's Western Open and the Women's Amateur tournaments. She beat Babe Didrikson, one up, to become the nation's No. 1 last year. And regardless of what events she may win she Is not even thinking of following in the steps of other great girl golfers, such as Patty Berg, Betty Hicks and Betty Jamison in turning pro. Enersen already has added great interest In the Norge Ski club's winter program.

The Norwegian youth, going to school with financial assistance from the government of his country finds time to enjoy his sport and compete in the Midwest tournaments. The skiing star Is doing a comeback, because the Germans had him confined to concentration camps for three years. Those who have seen him perform say he will be the successor to Torger Tokle, who was killed while serving with army ski troops In Italy. Tokle holds the record for the Norge hill, a jump of 196 feet. The Norge club Is celebrating its fortieth year in skiing, and the foreigner is adding a lot of color.

GET BOUT MAT CHAMPION Optimist Fight Program Slated for Wednesday Amateur boxers vie lng for places In the first Optimist Civic club fight show of f48 enter the final days' of training at Fair Grounds coliseum Monday. The program will be in Municipal auditorium Wednes day evening. Matchlngs for the ten-bout card have not been announced by Pro moter Frenchy Arceneaux. Three round matches will be arranged for the fledgling fighters. In addition to some scrappers who appeared in the first Optimist ama teur shows in 1 December of 1945 George Miller and Walter Clinton both returned from services In the army, are expected to be on the card.

TEXAS BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVE' ATHLETIC CHANGES Austin. Texas, Jan. 12 (JP). The University of Texas board of regents today formally approved major changes In the athletic department growing out of Dana X. Bible's de cision to retire as head football coach after next The board appointed Bible ath letic director for one year beginning Jan.

1, 1947 at a salary of $9,000. Bible's present contract as head football coach and athletic director expires at the end of the current calendar year. Blair Cherry, asistant football coach, was appointed head coach for a year beginning Jan. 1, 1947, at a salary of $8,000. Howard Gil strap, line coach, was appointed first assistant football coach at a salary of $6,000 Tor a year begin ning Jan.

1, 1947. Cherry and Gllstrap were reap pointed to their present positions for the current year at salaries of $6,000 and $5,400 respectively. Cleveland Gets Catcher From Baltimore Orioles Cleveland. Ohio, Jan. 12.

Cleveland has snared from the Baltimore Orioles a young catcher who likes to work as well as Frankle Hayes, the record setter in worklne con secutive games. He is John Sherman Lawlor, who worked in 139 games last year and 126 in 1944. He's mighty good both as a receiver and a hitter. His bat mark last vear was .364. There is a chance that Hayes can ease up a little In the season ahead.

FRNKA PLANS NEW COACHING STAFF AT TULANE UNIVERSITY New Orleans, Jan. 12 P). Henry Frnka, new head football coach of Tulane university, arrived here today and said "It's like coming home." Frnka, who succeeds Claude SI mons, now director of athletics at Tu lane, was accompanied by Simons and Horace Renegar, head of the college public relations department. -They had attended the NCAA sessions in St. Louis.

"On my two visits to the Sugar Bowl game I made lots of friends and I know I will feel at home at' Tulane," said the former Tulsa uni versity head coach. Frnka said he was not ready yet to announce his staff, but It was in dlcated that he would have a new group of assistants and a new trainer, The coach said he made his deci sion to come to ruiane owing a telephone conversation with Dr. Ru- fus C. Harris, president of Tulane. "'Its a I told Dr.

Harris when he explained what Tulane had to offer," Frnka said. The coach added that he hadn't even signed a contract yet. Frnka said he did not think any member of his Tulsa coaching staff would come to New Orleans. "Buddy Brothers has been named to succeed me at Tulsa and Walter Milligan, my other assistant there, also wants to be a head coach," Frnka said. Montgomery, Williams to Meet for Title March 22 New York, Jan.

12 (JP). Bob Montgomery and Ike Williams, rival claim ants for the lightweight boxing cham pionship, will settle their dispute in a 15-round title match in xaadison Square Garden March 22. Promoter Mike Jacobs finally paved the way for the match yesterday when he got Montgomery, the Phila delphla negro who Is rated the 135 pound king in New York, Pennsyl vania and New Jersey, to agree to terms. The title has been in dispute ever since Sammy Angott "retired" late in 1942. Keesler Field Team Wins From Louisiana Tech Five Biloxl, Jan.

12 (JP). Staving oir a last-minute rally, Keesler Field basketball team defeated Louisiana Tech last night 60-44, at the beach USO, In Biloxl. Never trailing, the Filers built up a 30-6 lead at one time and were leading at the half. 35-15. During the second half.

Truit Latham, star Tech forward, hit for eight baskets as his team pulled up to within 11 points of the Keesler five, 54-40, before the Fliers again widened their lead. will be a major drawing card. Sinkwich is also tinder contract to the Detroit Lions of the National league. About one dozen players have jumped to the All-America. Topping formerly operated the Brooklyn National league team.

19 offset Topping In New York the Giants are to be given strong home schedule. New York, Brooklyn, Miami and Buffalo from the eastern wing of the All-America, with San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Cleveland making up the western division. The Chicago club of the All-Am eTican conference has taken a 10-year lease on Soldier Field, that has a seating capacity of more than 100,000. The new outfit Is certainly optimistic. Wrlgley Field, where the Chicago Bears play their home games, seats 38,396.

and It has never been filled for one of the Bruins' contests. The Chicago Cardinals play In Comlskey park and it has been a losing business there. Ounce of Prevention Rather than wait for outside Influences to bring pressure to bear, the Thoroughbread Racing Associations of the United States, has taken definite steps to protect the turf sports from Influences that would soon have It back in public disfavor. The most commendable move made by the TRA was the forming of a "Turf Bureau of Investigation to be headed by a former FBI operator, who will have power to rule with an iron hand. Recent developments prove conclusively that race track officials are determined to protect the sport, regardless of who Is hit.

The big fish as well as the small fry are being brought Into the pan. Recent suspension of Trainer Tom Smith Is proof that they do not come too prominent when an investigation Is underway. Permanent revocation or Jockie Jackie Westrope's riding license by the California horse racing board established that organization's determination to take good care of its problems. The Turf Bureau of Investigation will have a capable staff of operators, whose duties will be to uncover anything that might prove disastrous to the turf or give the sport a black eye. Freak Ducks If you are a duck hunter, the following item by Jack Welch, writer of Campfier Corner for King Features syndicate, will Interest you: "Ever see a white mallard? Neither did but we have the word of experts.

Including Jack Musgrove. museum director of the Iowa department of history and archives, that white mallards, teal and shovellers are not uncommon. Maybe there's a specimen in your nearest museum, but I've never happened to run across one, though I've seen white crows, blackbirds and squirrels. "Many of these ducks show total albinism, says Musgrove, having pure white or light cream plumage and generally light or pinkish eyes. Others are only partially albino, having a mixture of -normal and white feathers and normally colored eyes.

All of these birds are freaks, but often are encountered in large concentrations of ducks. "Perhaps the most puzzling of all variations In wildfowl colora-- (Ceatinaed On Following Fate) teams and fans from schools in both states. Dual state tourney titles In girls and boys' basketball are held by Old Union Arkansas high school. No Louisiana school has won a title in the past three years. Buck Sims and Pat Robert will officiate.

First game will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31. I'' i.