History of the A's

  
 

Athletics Go Out With A Bang

 
 

Percy Oille’s return to the Athletics was the source of some considerable elation for St. Catharines lacrosse fans of 1924. This standout from the Garden City appeared to be the missing ingredient that would soon propel the locals into serious contenders and their win over the Hamilton Tigers with Oille in the line-up seemed to confirm that. 

But Oille and the Athletics would soon have a growing dilemma on their hands. Earlier grumbling about Oille being in violation of the league’s residence rule seemed to be resolved with the A’s assertions that O.A.L.A. President Wright had given the team permission to play Oille in their next two games. But just before the second game, O.A.L.A. Secretary Harcourt notified the A’s that the league would not allow Oille to play. The Athletics were livid, and voted in the dressing room not to play without Oille. 

At a late night meeting at Toronto’s Prince George Hotel on the next day, the Athletic’s laid out their position before the executive, a position that would not be substantiated by the president. On Friday July 4th, the Standard would report, “President Wright in his reply stated he had no intention of allowing anyone to make a ‘goat’ out of him, and absolutely repudiated the statement that he gave permission for Oille to play, qualifying it by saying that he had no authority.” 

Did President Wright change his stance on an important decision? Or did the Athletics try to force the issue by playing Oille without certification? It all comes down to whom to believe.  

One thing for certain, the A’s win over the Tigers was overturned, the missed game against the Maitlands was given to the team from Toronto, and the Athletics were fined $50. All over the application of a residency ruling on a player in his fourth year with the team. 

The Athletics response was quick and forceful; they chose to quit the O.A.L.A. then and there. They took their ball and went home, and they wouldn’t return for four years.

 

PERCY OILLE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ST. KITTS 

ATHLETICS ARE GIVEN TWO LOSSES—TIGERS AND MAITLANDS WIN 

The St. Catharines Standard 

Thursday July 3, 1924  

The Athletics Lacrosse Club want to make a full explanation to the public regarding the unfortunate affair that occurred on the Lacrosse Grounds on the holiday. 

Secretary Harcourt of the O.A.L.A. wired the president of the Athletics, advising that the officials for Tuesday’s game against the Maitlands had instructions not to allow the game to be played if Oille were on the line-up. 

This was a very arbitrary stand to be taken by any secretary without the full meeting of the executive, in view of the fact the President Wright had authorized Mr. Elliott to use Oille in both Saturday’s and Tuesday’s games, and until the executive had an opportunity of meeting again, where the case would be re-opened. 

Percy Oille, the player in question, a native of St. Catharines, has been for years a member of the Athletics and very anxious to play, and, when President Wright’s sanction had been received for the both games, he was requested to report for practices and to appear on the line-up. It was, of course, understood that either Hamilton or Maitlands had the privilege of protesting, but there was absolutely nothing to justify any such stand as was taken Tuesday by the O.A.L.A. 

Manager Johnson of the Maitlands stated that the case was entirely in the hands of the referee and he had to do as requested by that official, but Referee Powers was very emphatic in his statement that he was ordered by Secretary Harcourt not to allow the game to be played, either as a scheduled or exhibition game, with Oille on the line-up. 

There is absolutely no doubt about president Wright authorizing the use of Oille in the two games referred to and a man in his position should be backed up by his executive in every way. If President Wright had no authority to give permission for Oille to play, then it should have been so stated, and Oille would not have been on the line-up for Saturday. 

A poll of the Athletics was taken in the dressing room and they all refused to line-up against the Maitlands without Oille, and this decision was handed to referee Powers who declared no game would be played, irrespective of the fact that one of the Maitlands had thrown the ball in the net, but that, of course, was contrary to his instructions. 

The senior players at a meeting agreed to stand by Oille, and credit must be given to the latter player in his statement that he did not want to be the source of any trouble.

RETURN