Lew McCarty bats out of order when a double switch isnt properly pulled off

ByTom

4/12/1917 – In the top of the fourth, Lew McCarty pinch hit for the pitcher in the number nine spot in the order and tripled to drive in two runs as part of a six-run inning. In the bottom of the inning, he stayed in the game as the catcher replacing Bill Rariden who was hitting in the eighth spot. This was not a real “double switch,” so the new pitcher should have batted in the number eight slot. In the sixth, McCarty hit out-of- order in the number eight position and singled. Boston pointed this out to the home plate umpire, and Slim Sallee, the new pitcher who should have been batting was called out.

Charles Ebbets

Robins’ owner Charles Ebbets has players on both teams sport numbers on their sleeves

ByTom

1917 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Robins, 11 – 2, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For tomorrow’s exhibition game in Memphis, Tennessee, players on both teams will sport numbers on their sleeves, the idea of Robins’ owner Charles Ebbets. His reasoning is that fans in non-major league cities would be unfamiliar with the players.

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

ByTom

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

Manager John McGraw is signed by the New York Giants to a five-year contract for $40,000 a year plus bonuses. The contract makes him the highest-paid figure in major league baseball.

ByTom

Manager John McGraw is signed by the New York Giants to a five-year contract for $40,000 a year plus bonuses. The contract makes him the highest-paid figure in major league baseball.

1917 – The Boston Red Sox lose to the Brooklyn Robins, 7 – 2, in the “Hot Springs World Series.” Both teams are training in Arkansas and will barnstorm north together.

ByTom

1917 – The Boston Red Sox lose to the Brooklyn Robins, 7 – 2, in the “Hot Springs World Series.” Both teams are training in Arkansas and will barnstorm north together.

Dave Fultz, president of the Players Fraternity, calls off a strike set to begin within the week

Dave Fultz, president of the Players Fraternity, calls off a strike set to begin within the week

ByThis Day in Baseball

1917 – Dave Fultz, president of the Players Fraternity, calls off a strike set to begin within the week. One of demands of the union is to abolish the ten-day clause, in which a team ceases to pay an injured player after he has been out of action for ten days. Organized Baseball officially severs relations with the union, leaving the players without representation.