Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 24

I 4 Section Sunday, Jan. 15 DETROIT FREE PRESS Football's Headaches Only Beginning at Mer eetni ger Wins More Honors FIND GAME INTERESTING AND EXCITING Two Cities to Bid for Franchises Division of Teams, Draft Also Problems Chess Dull? Not for 30,000 Detroiters Hart Voted Year's Top Athlete Robinson Finishes a Distant Runnerup NEW YORK Leon Hart, Notre Dame's huge and brilliant All-America end, was named Male Athlete-of-the-Year for 1949 by an overwhelming margin in the Associated Press year-end polL Of 98 sportswriters and sports-casters who cast ballots in the 19th annual competition, 37 chose the E. Vandenburg, president of the Michigan Chess Association. Vandenburg wanted to clear up several false impressions about the game which started in India during the fifth century. fif it ff tf "it "A GOOD GAME of chess, not tournament play of course, can be played in an average of about 25 minutes," he said.

"In fact, even tournament play is governed by a time limit. for Chess BY BOB LATSHAW "You don't have to be a mental giant to play chess. Neither do you have to have hours to play a game." That's the opinion of Virgil Never Too TTT'r-pHiHiitiiHiWi II HIIW 1 (if rf -S. 5 Associated Press Wirephoto NOTRE DA3IE'S LEON HART Scribes pick him as Male-Athlete-of-the-Year' STILL BOSS Wayne James, oldest member of the Detroit Chess and Checker Club, gets some stiff competition from Mary Bouchle, 13, champion. Two unidentified playmates watch the action.

'Old Man' Armed Rolls to Victory at Tropical MIAMI (P) There's still life in the old gelding, Calumet Farm's once-mighty Armed. Now nine years old, the world's richest gelding won a tremendous ovation and the 40th race of his career Saturday at As of TODAY Memo to N.Y. Writer: Here's Ansiver on Kell By LYALL SMITH "Players must make 40 moves in a two-hour limit, or an average of one move every three minutes." He pointed out that the game is growing in popularity, particularly among the younger set. Currently there are more than 80,000 players who compete across the chess board in Detroit. Although nearly everyone plays checkers at some time or other, Vandenburg declared that "Chess players out-number the serious checker players nearly 5 to 1." This figure is based on the competition in organized clubs.

THESE CLUBS are usually found around any city. There for a small fee the person who wishes to become adept at chess can secure expert Instruction -and competition. The cost of the sport is negligible when compared to most other forms of recreation. Most clubs have dues ranging from 50 cents a year to one dollar a month. The clubs furnish the equipment to compete.

Detroit has 30 such organizations with memberships ranging from 20 to 75 members. The American Chess and Checker Foundation has 1,200 enrolled here in Detroit. Outstate there are several clubs, Battle Creek, Lansing, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Flint, Bay City, Midland and Saginaw have active organizations, averaging about 20 members to the club. Competition has usually been on a club basis, but current plans call for the formation of leagues for inter-club matches. The first such league in Michigan was organized in the Saginaw Valley.

THIS CIRCUIT consists of clubs in Midland, Bay City, Flint and Saginaw. Detroit was the second to form a league, having 10 teams in competition. Another league will start in the near future with Battle Creek, Jackson, Lansing and Kalamazoo forming the nucleus. Perhaps the most exclusive of the clubs is in Manistee. The officers, membership and players consist of one man-John Harvey.

He flies to various meets in his own plane and is no mean player. Harvey finished sixth in the State Chess tournament last year. "Anyone can play the game," Vandenburg declared. "Even the physically handicapped." HE CITED the instance of Clayton Walker, who has been blind since birth. Despite his handicap, Walker has become proficient in the sport to such an extent that he is one of the city's top ranking players.

"Learning from the books read to him by other persons, Walker started th play. He uses two boards one a small peg type and the other large regulation board. "He follows the play by touch on the small board by having the opposition call out their moves. Walker is good enough to teach and lecture on the game," Vandenburg said. Anyone can play the game that's what the man said.

advanlaae? it Old or Young ll 111 nj.iuuii.UL ilii'ffufi'Wl style. for baseball batting crowns and down-to-the-wire fight between Williams .3427 by getting last day of the season while Yankees. one unconfirmed story, Kell was bat in the final game of the already had hit two for three here is the story. The Tigers noma im fnr their final turn iU1 doubled, singled, walked and the day, was the next batter, caiicu xxuiu me uuguut iui acu when Lake banged one down AIJHM lllkipi .11 III city girls of Mary Big League COLUMNIST ARTHUR DALEY of the New York Times turned out another of his usually excellent sports pieces the Tropical Park After Bolo Mack scored a nose victory in the $7,500 Henry Straus Memorial Handicap, Old Armed took the track for the $2,500 Partington Purse. He looked like the champion of 1947 as he led! ttil LI1C Wttjf lUi ail cexojr triumph.

ALWAYS OX of the most popular horsea: to-race in Florida, the Golden Gelding was cheered to the echo by the crowd of 12.364. Jockey Ovie Scurlock brought Armed back to the winner's circle to take his bows. The victory added to the old-timer's lifetime winnings, mak ing the total $812,110. Trainer Ben Jones passed up other day in his usually brilliant It was a story about battles it centered, of course, on the George Kell and Ted Williams. Kell won ont .3429 to two hits and a walk on the Williams was blanked by the Daley says: "According to ready to forego his last time 'season against the Indians.

He at Straus. Memorial, men 0utieWer Dom DiMaggio and Armed drew top weight of Joe Dobson and Maur.ce BY BOB LATSHAW Professional football's four-year war is supposed to end Thursday when representatives of the National League and the All-America Conference meet to complete their merger. But, from all reports, Thursday will start a week-long battle at least in the peaceful settlement of how to operate the new National-American League, born in the merger. FACING THE pro football moguls are three major problems: 1 They must determine the number of teams which will make up the new NAFL. 2 They must determine.

to which divisions the teams will be assigned. 3 They must determine the allotment of some players from defunct teams In the AAC and then draft college stars. Those seem to be no great prob lems until they are explored. For example, take problem No. 1.

Currently there are 13 active fran chises in the league. AT LEAST two cities will peti tion for franchises when the meet ing starts in Philadelphia Thursday morning. Those bids will be from Houston, and Buffalo. Several owners have signified approval of additional teams. But to admit new teams would mean a change in the by-laws of the NFL, under which the NAFL will be administered.

As It Is, there will have to be several amendments to the bylaws before the actual business of the meeting can be conducted, Previously it was necessary to have unanimous approval before a team could be admitted. This question will probably bring forth some of the most heated argu ments of the meeting. AFTER THE owners have de cided on the number of teams, they will be assigned to two divisions the American and National. This will start another flurry. None of the teams wants to be assigned to a "weak" division.

The Cleveland Browns have already indicated they would not play unless they would be matched with the "better" teams. Natural rivalries, which complicate schedule making, and long business association of some own ers will further snarl the doings. For Instance, the Bears and Cardinals in Chicago will scream if the should kill their schedule, ut it the bet money-makers. Thf vill corr.e ti.f- biggest bat tie of th- meeting: How the men who piay he game be appor- tionea among the teans in the league, FI3ST, THLKE will argument on the manner of the college seniors, players on inactive reserve lnf- thei. pirrlTfrom the Voters' of io, Lis Angeles Chicago 'rh? wii; tattling to ieor nart, benus di aft choice this vesr.

They v.t'i also be seek- lag to cet redress for Doai- Walk- er. who was traded by the New York Eu'ldoea for Johnny Pauch. every CLUB has a favorite for which it will fight. George. I A.

Chicago Bears, has said publicly that he would tight to keep his reserve ist. This include-'? sucli payers as Jrrv Krali. of Ohio State, and BUI Yoghtkin, of Notee Dame. Just to eomn'icate matters, It i take lll)ihs of the league vote approve nay player transfer. current plans all for tha nit-el-1 irz to titPte jSV5.

Most feet-! thV it will bo weeK o' tore the irks are worked out of the new structure. THF LION'S --re sending legation to th- r.orference. Presides Eivvin J. Anderson Vic President Bill will ai-d by Coaches McMillin, YVibon. Temeranc? end ueorge Farm and buy more i-ied that he would tandardbrcd The Castleton purchase olimaxed almost six of negotiations.

The Knight fcsjid of 78 mares will join CC others already at the farm wiih'n the next week. Height, breeder the Greyhound, ev.ns nil th daughters E'izaleth, dam ef the greHest ef ail trotter. They Yankvi Maid, Greyhound's half-sister who won the 1S44 Ham trie-ten i an. Other marcs in the sale, by such sires es Ci iy Abbey, Vole-mite, Dean Hanover and Scotland, are: Nathalie Volo, Elizabeth Hudson, Rose Dean, Martha Doyle, Taffy Vcl9 Nedda Volo and Phoebe Hanover, aa nan i i I I 1 pounas, ana entered tne geinngjMcDprrnott agreed to ter.s Sat-! the cheaper allowance race, urdaV- Earlier Birdie TeDbetts and i while Williams was getting blanked by the Yankees. So he knew he was in by a picayune margin.

"It is hoped here," Arthur continues, "that he meant to take his last time at bat. The rumor said that a pinch-hitter was ready to take over for him. Past Winners NEW YORK Winners of the Athlete-of-The-Year title in the annual Associated Press poll: 1931 Pepper Martin, Baseball. 1933 Gene Sarazen, Golf. 1933 Carl Bubbell.

Baseball. 1934 Dizzr Dean. Baseball. 193." Joe Louis. Boxing.

1936 Jesse Owens. Track. 1937 Don Badge. Tennis. 1938 Don Budee.

Tennis. 1939 Nile Kinniek. Football. 1940 Tommy Harmon. Football.

1941 Joe DiMacgio. Baseball. 1943 Frank Sinkwlch. Football. 1943 Guilder Haegc Track.

1944 Byron Nelson. Golf. I 1945 Byron Nelson. Golf. I 1946 Glenn Davis, Football.

1947 Johnny Lulack. Football, 1948 Lou Bourtreau. Baseball. 1949 Leon Hart. Football.

'great co-captain of the undefeated Irish as the year's outstanding figure in the entire field of sport, amateur or professional. FAR BEHIND Hart, Jackie Robinson, famed Negro second-baseman of the Brooklyn Dodgers, placed second. He had a narrow margin over Sammy Snead, the year's outstanding golfer. Ted Williams, of the Boston Red Sox, was fourth and Joe Page, star relief pitcher of the New York Yankees, fifth. On a point basis three for a first place vote, two for second and one for third Hart piled up a landslide margin of 104 to 55 over Robinson.

The runner-up, who previously was voted the National League's most valuable player, received only eight first place votes. In all, 40 athletes representing almost every sport except kelly pool, got their names somewhere in the balloting. Twenty-seven of them were, in at least one voter's opinion, worthy of the highest accolade. George Kell, the Detroit Tigers, received one vote. COLTS DOiVT CARE Lions Want Hart? They Can Have Him BALTIMORE (JP) Tlie Bal-timore Colts said that they won't seek Notre Dame's Leon Hart because they "don't think he's interested in playing pro football." The Colts had made tbe 250-pound All America enJ their first draft choice in the All-America Conference.

The Detroit Lions held the same tab on Hart in the National League before the two circuits consolidated. Abraham Watner, Colt president, said that he had notified Detroit it will not contest the Lions for Hart at the organization meeting of the National-American League next week in Philadelphia. WE MADE HART a salary ffer and instead of giving us a reply he told us to see his agent," Watner reported. "It doesn't look as if he wants to play pro ball. We aren't going to deal with any player through an agent." Prior to the merger, Hart had announced he would consider $25,000 a year "as a starter" in pro ball.

Bobcat Bows to 31 Hunters ALPENA (JF) More snow for better tracking in the swamps appeared in prospect for Sunday's second day of the 10th annual Alpena wildcat hunt. Only one bobcat was bagged Saturday, but hunters were hopeful that, with better tracking conditions, the second day would be better. Some 31 sportsmen took part in the first day's hunt. The lucky hunter who bagged a 23-pound bobcat was Fred Veigel, of Ann Arbor. ROBERT MITCIiUM la POWDER-PUFF KID" en HOLLYWOOD THEATER OF STARS plat HENRY KING and his REGAL RHYTHMS ORCHESTRA CKLW TODAY 2:30 to 3:30 P.M.

f8UB PLIMOUIH OEAIEB GOING UP State Nets $57,061 from Mats, Ring The State of Michigan received $57,061.85 in revenue from boxing and wrestling in 1949, Commissioner Floyd Stevens showed in his annual report released Saturday. Thirty-three boxing shows netted the state $19,841.49 in tax revenue. A total of 476 wrestling shows produced The State also received $9,971 for licenses issued to wrestlers, boxers and officials. The revenue in each division was an increase over 1948. The total revenue that year was $50,359.37.

City's Lefties Fall Behind in Pin Match Special to theWFree Frni NEW YORK Brooklyn's Buddy Lee team took a 266-pm lead over Detroit's champion Cecil Wards in their National lefthanders five-man bowling match. The Lees won both three-game blocks Saturday. They our -rolled Cecil Ward, 2839-2646, in the first set and 2901-2828, in the second. The match continues with six games here Sunday and then moves to Detroit's Northwestern Recreation for the concluding 12 games Feb. 4-5.

tiid AAA WAIT Just to clear up those rumors, m.j tu n. A tVid, of the season in the last of the ninth inning. Johnny Lipon batted for Neil Berry and bounced ont. The now.jeparted Dick Wakefield made his final appearance a Tiger uniform a noteworthy one by lashing out a pinch e. tt.ii vs Toff man su Sie 011 ouu Eddie Lake was up.

To Hit or Not to Hit KELL, WHO ALREADY had made an out on bis best hit ball of LTv "I ZL vLn as a result, Armeo goi 117 against five topflight middle-distance runners. HE WAS an overwhelming favorite at' 3-10, paying $2.60, $2.40 and $2.10 across the hoard. His time for the mile p.i'd a sixteenth was 1:43 the same Mack's. It was one and ont -fifth second's off the track record. Runner-up to Armed was the outsider Appease Ix'ot, with First Nighter third.

In the Straus Memorial, honoring the president of Tropical Park who died in a plane crash last summer, Bolo Hack was a surprize winner at 4-1. Ted Atkinson k-pt the four-year-old gelding going just long enough to nip Dart By. Bolo Mack had set all the pace. Neddiecan, a seven year old horse owned by the Saginaw Stable, won the nightcap nd then dropped dead near the clubhouse turn. A $6.40 favorite, he won by five lengths for his third straight success.

Paddles Past Purdue ANN ARBOR The University of Michigan swimming team opened its Big Ten season with a decisive 60-33 victory over Purdue. The Wolverines won eight of the 10 events. Free-styler Gus Stager paced Michigan by winning the 220 and 440-yard events. to mm wner: manager rtea noue to come to the bench. "We already had been told by the press box that Williams had gone ldtless," Rolfe declared.

"We knew George had the title right then unless he went up there and made an out. told him it was np to him. He could hit if he wanted. Ch-1 uld take him out and put In a pinch hitter so he could win the league batting crown." S1 ontracts ouring In 3 More Bosox Sign; Easter No. 5 for Tribe Free Press Wire Services Major league baseball players are signing 1950 contracts at a fast clip.

The Rnsfnn Rprl SnX announced pitcller Mike pai signed. First Baseman Luke Easter wa the fifth Cleveland Indian player; to accept terTis. TWO NEW YORK Giar.t pitchers 'i f-arlv sijrr.ers. They xro La rry Jar-S'-'t; e.n Sheldon VMvhir.s;tn Senators have the but Piicher Rste rhorwsgh stUl is nAt With Owner Cfark Grifiith's offer. Th Senators are sending the- another contract.

Ar.atier is Lou Brisdie, of the Athletics. He sent back the contract and asked for rr.ore money. Pittsburgh signed Catcher! Clyde McCi Forest Main lious-h a.ni Pitc Mitt Coach Near Death LANCASTER, Pa. Le Houck, colorful Penn State boxir. coach, was reported in critical a i-: dition at his home f-oni ai und.s-; closed ailment.

At State Co. lege, hi- boxing squid opened the sea? HoubI: at ringside for ihe first time in 27 years. The team a tribute for Houck as it woni irto action against the of Minnesota. Houck was given the last rite-of the Roman Catholic church iast r. uie cuuicu 10.3 week.

He is not permitted visitors, broodmares, 24 yearlings, 14 two-year-olds, one three-year-old and one four-year-old. Attorney Don MacFarlane, acting for Castleton Farm, said that the Van Lenneps are building one of the finest standardbred studs in the world. Already Castleton has such outstanding stallions as Victory Song, Worthy Boy, Bombs Away and Ensign Hanover. Now Castleton has obtained the female blood which it took Knight almost 50 years to produce. KNIGHT, A director of the Michigan Racing Association, emphasized that he was not dropping out of the harness field.

He accepted a three-year term as a director of Castleton 1 i I i "I was still telling this to him Shortstop Ike Boone who stepped on second forcuig Wake- field aud threw to first to end the game with a double play. Kell never had a chance to make up his mind, let alone answer cie." "I'll ray this though," Rolfe said. "If Lake had walked or hit safely, we would have had two men on base with only a it. We were four runs behind. Kell would have been the sext hitter.

If vp could have won the game, we would CASTLETOJS FARM BUYS KNIGHT HORSES Sells Harness Stock for ha fioMied in third place of fourth. Kell was our bii hitter. Pat MullLa wouid have followed him and Pat already had three straight hits. "Like I say, Kell never had a chance to tell me what he would do. But I think I can guess the answer.

Can't you?" lleilmami Had Same Problem To have someone on your 6ide in ease of acci- dent; to have road service cars all over America standing by, day and night, to aid you if stalled. To have a thousand AAA offices and their personnel at your service. To know the right road, to have the hotels recognize you. These are just a few of the dozens of things that are known as the A4A advantage the advantage that AAA members have over the lone man on the road. Nearly three million drivers in America have the AAA advantage.

Don't you want it? Detroit Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange Attorneys-in-fact: Ralph Thomas Cbas. B. Van Dusen Roy M. Hood toward D. Brown, General Manager at Automobile Club of Michigan What is believed to be the biggest deal ever made involving harness horses was completed in Detroit Saturday.

Henry H. Knight, prominent Kentucky breeder of thoroughbreds and standardbreds, disposed of all his harness stock for an estimated $500,000. THE BUYER was Castleton Farm, of Lexington, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Van Lennep.

She is the former Frances Dodge, Detroit heiress and horsewoman who has become a power in the harness and horse show world. Knight sold every one of the 79 standardbred mares on his Almahurst Farm in Lexington, representing some of the finest female strains available, in the lot were 39 TAKING A BATTER out of the game, or offering to take him ou: in suen spot, is nothicg novel to baseball. It happened to Harry Heilrsana one cf the years when he wound up as batting king. lie was locked in a duel with Ai Simmons in 1927 on the last doy. Simmons hit two-for-five in his game and 'Andsome 'Any knew just what he had to do to win the title, In his first four trips to the plate, he had two doubles and single.

He was in. "Quit cow," his "Not me," laid 'Arry. ills fifth time he hit a homos run then cents hack a the second frame to tempt fate with a bomer, douMe and iug! in four times at hat. the storv on KU, Columnist Daley, that nnlike Hoil-jdiiin he iin't have a chance to say yes or no. Fait around Detroit there's more thaa hunch that his answer would have been; "Hi hit." Phone VTOodward 3-2911 139 BAGLEY AVENUE, DETROIT AND IN THIRTY MICHIGAN CITIES ft.