Volume 17 , Issue 29

Saw-off Games Will Start (4 September 1906, Tuesday)

According to the Houston Daily Post, Tuesday Morning, 4 September 1906, page 3, we found some interesting baseball trivia about the Southwest Baseball league that this NW Okie's grandpa (Bill McGill) played in during 1906 with the Austin Senators as a pitcher, before being sold to the St. Louis Browns in 1907 for $500. But St. Louis Browns baseball is another story for later issues.

Found on Newspapers.com

This NW Okie is not quite sure what they meant by "Saw-off games," but it sounded like the South Texas league baseball championship was beginning to start.

Dr. Robbie's View On Players

San Antonio, Texas, September 3 (1906) -- Dr. Robbie, president of the South Texas Baseball league, left on September 3rd (1906) for Houston to attend the championship games to be played in that city between Houston and Austin.

Before leaving he said there was some talk of Houston playing Crawford and Nelson and possibly others in the championship games. This, he said, would be in violation of the rules of the association, which says that no man can be signed after August 17. Both Crawford and Nelson were released by Houston and sold, and as both of these men played with other teams, they cannot now be put in the games played under the rules of the South Texas league.

Houston would have to play the same team which had been matched against the other teams for the last three weeks, or since August 17.

Dr. Robbie said that by rights Edmondson had no right to play, as he had been sold to another club and was supposed to quit yesterday, the last day of the regular season. Edmondson, however, would very likely play. While Gaskell had not been playing of late there was no way in which he could be barred.

Dr. Robbie would call the regular semi-annual meeting of the South texan League possibly on September 20, (1906).

Were shenanigans being pulled by the Houston baseball team as they were bringing in outside players to beat the Austin Senators?

The article mentioned Saw-off games would start on that date back in 1906 at the West end with the Senators contesting. Some new recruits were signed - Curly Maloney and Moag of Dallas and Watson of Memphis would play with Houston - Robbie reported they were ineligible.

Austin At Houston

As the article story goes, the gladsome yelp of the home fan would be heard at West End and some great baseball struggles were scheduled to be played at the local ball yard. Houston won the first series without much opposition, and the Austin bunch copped the second after the Houston team had been shot to pieces. The article reported in 1906, "Today there would be a different story to tell."

The constitution of the South Texas League, article xii, says: "After August 17 no club can secure players from any other club of this league without the consent of all the other members of this League."

This was all the constitution said about strengthening the teams in the saw-off. There isn't a word that says one of the teams can't go to other leagues and get players, only they shall not get any from this league. Manager Rielly knew his team was weak at short and in the Pitcher's department, and he determined to strengthen the weak gaps and made a trip to North Texas for that purpose. He had engaged "Curly" Maloney of Dallas to play center field and Edmondson would pitch. Heinie Moag, the best shortstop in North Texas, had also been signed by manager Rielly for the post-season games. Moa was said to be a crack-a-jack afield and a good sticker. Watson, who belongs to Memphis, would do a pitching stunt for Houston. Watson was the most effective slab artist on Moore's staff and he was a good batter. Bowery would be shifted back to his old position in left field and Rielly thought with this new material Houston would beat the Senators. Gaskell hadn't been heard from for some time and would probably not come.

Austin may protest against these new recruits playing with Houston, but Rielly said they would play for Houston or there would be no games, and the law is clearly on his side, although President Robbie said they are ineligible. He hasn't read the league constitution.

Edmondson would pitch the game that day for Houston, and Massing will work behind the hickory. Newman, Truesdale and Clayton would be on the sacks and Moag would play short. Bowery, Maloney and Briskey would guard the outer trenches. Harlow would manage form he bench. The free list was absolutely suspended for these games, only members of the press being admitted free. Ladies would be admitted free at the gate, but would be charged for seats in the grand stand the same as formerly. Maloney and Moag left Dallas for Houston the night before.

The game started at 4:30. The double umpire system would be used and Wright and Quigg would officiate. Tickets could be purchased downtown at tBlock's cigar store, 516 Main street.
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