The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-12
EIGHT-CLUB COAST LEAGUE.
Consolidation Of North and South. Wit
Four Clubs I'm Each Section.

SGCtlOns
The favorite plan for the past two sea-
sons Of many level-headed baseball men
Of the Pacific coast of consolidating the
California and the Pacific Northwest
leagues is again forcing its way to the
front. The necessity of such combina-
ton has been in sight for long time.
Something is needed for a revival of inter-
est, and the pitting of the two sections
against each other, with new faces and
more frequent changes of programme for
the spectators. seems the easiest solution
OF the problem.
This year Califo rnia, with a season of
Gig ht months, had entirely two much
baseball, especially when each town had
but three changes in the attraction offered
to its people, and as a result the windup
between San Jose and Los Angeles to de-
termine the championship is not arousing
great deal of enthusiasm. The Pacific
Northwest League in the effort to increase
the interest made the common mistake of
running its head into the high-salary evil
and in consequence had to retire from the
field before its season was ended. 1t got
together the strongest minor league teams
in the country, but the popular support was
insufficient. But the current notion, set
On foot by the croakers, that this put a
quietus on baseball in this section, is bosh.
The public demands the sport and must
have it. The absence of it during the last
month of the season has already sharp
ened the popular appetite, and there 8
certain. with the approach of spring, to be
cry for baseball that cannot be denied.
The temporary relapse after the boom bids
fair now to be followed by a strong.
healthy growth in population and wealth,
and the Pacific Northwest will be better
able next season to support baseball
league than ever before. The lesson, too.
of economy has been learned and will be
of Invaluable assistance to the baseball
leaders.
The Pacific Northwest can and will sup
port baseball, if 1t be properly managed.
whether or not in conjunction with its
California neighbors, but such an alliance
seems to open the brightest future. An
eight club league, with four clubs from the
North and four from the South, will mean
great things in baseball for the Pacific
coast. The arrangement of a circuit, with
view to holding down travelling expenses
and making a convenient schedule,
is the most serious question pre-
scented. The Californians, who held
back last winter from consolidation
for reasons which were never satisfac-
torily explained, are now making the first
steps toward bringing it about this win
ter. Letters have already passed from the
Southern magnates TO those in the North
in regard to the outlook. The Cali
tornians, evidently believing that the
shortening of the Pacific Northwest's
season means that it cannot put four
clubs into the field again, have been figur-
ing on six-club league. 18th Portland
and Seattle added TO their own towns.
But the Pacific Northwest will not be
satisfied with this. OF the stability of
Portland and Seattle there can be NJ doubt.
aud the chances for securing two other good
towns seem excellent. Notwithstanding Ia
coma'S disagreeabie experience last season,
responsible parties, who are in a position
20 know, have already made the uncondi-
tlonal statement that ample backing for a
team can be secured from new sources.
Victoria, the best town of British Column
bla, and sporting center, has FIR some
weeks past been exhibiting a strong de-
sire 10 give professional baseball a trial.
Spokane, which has come 10 the front
nobly for the past three seasons in its sup
port OF team under heavy obstacles i'm
posed by its geographical position, may
also be counted as a possible member.
Salem. too, in spite of its backset last
spring in trying to break into the league,
does not seem entirely cured of its pro-
rensity in that direction. out of this
material il is strange if four clubs cannot
be had.
In the South there will he no trouble in
picking out four clubs. san Francisco is.
OF course, the great center of baseball in
California. Los Angeles has shown itself
10 be splendid baseball town. while Oak
land is practically sure of keeping team
IN the field. The San Jose franchise. not
withstanding the splendid showing of the
team there, is apt 10 be transferred 10
Sacramento, which is considered much
better town. 4 league made NJ of San
Francisco. Los Angeles, oakland and
Sacramento or San Jose on the south and
Portland and Seattle and two other clubs
from Tacoma. Spok sne, Victoria and
Salem. is the end 10 which the hackers Of
the sport will devote their attention this
winter, with good chances OF success.
California Championship Ball Game.
Los Angeles. Dec. 1.-THE Champion-
ship game today resulted: Los Angeles S.
hits IL, errors / San Jose S. hits : errors