The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
ASSOCIATION TO MEET.

The American Association magnates Will
gather In Chicago a week from to-day Tor
the annual meeting to be held on Monday
Dec. %. The owners will get together in
formally on Sunday and it is believed thai
everything will be cut and dried before call
ing the regular session the following day.
The election Of a successor TO T. ]. Hickey
is an important matter TO come before the
meeting and IT is claimed just the right
man has been found for the place. One or
two of the club owners have pets they want
TO put in the executive Office, and II they
can be persuaded to withdraw their candi-
dates * is believed the election Of certain
Eastern newspaper writer would be unani-
nous. 1t is to be hoped that the club own
ers will not permit any personal prejudice
to influence them in selecting man for the
Office. The place is an important one and
should be filled by capable man.
The differences with the Western League
will be discussed and the probable merger
OF the American Association with the East
ern League also will be considered. The AS
ISOLATION may adopt plan similar TO the
one agreed upon at the recent Eastern
League meeting While there seems little
prospect that the Eastern League and the
new baseball circuit with the next year,
there Is abundant hope for good results in
the decision of the Eastern League circuit
committee to require proof OF stability be-
fore a city will be entitled to retain its
franchise. Satisfactory evidence of financial
resources sufficient TO sustain team
throughout the season, and properly to
provide for the accommodation of the pub
lie will be required. A similar rule may be
adopted by the American Association. The
minor leagues have too often suffered
through unstable circuits. and it is slight
wonder that the stronger clubs are growing
weary OF sustaining their weaker sisters
before the season is half through, while in
terest lapses in general. 1t is said that IL
the circuit committee of the Eastern adj
heres rigidly to the plans as outlined by
Manager Stallings. of the Buffalo club, there
are liable to be some changes in the make
up of the league before the bell rings next
spring, or else some hustling on the part OF
several weak clubs to develop financial
backing.
George Tebeau, owner of the Louisville
club. in the American Association. says the
proposed merger was discussed at the meet
ing OF the National Association of Minor
Leagues in st. Louis, last October, and sew
eral of the club owners thought 1t would
be wise and proper move 10 make. Tebeau
says he would not agree to any such merg-
er, unless all the parties interested could
be satisfied. 1t Is believed this could be
done. AT the meeting in ST. Louis the COM
mitteees of the Eastern League and Ameri-
can Association, representing the Glass A
leagues, were successful in having the con-
stitution amended TO provide for the new cir
cult. 1t might not have been generally
known at the meeting that the committees
planned such a league. but such was the
| case, nevertheless. The constitution was
amended so that the Class A organizations
could change their circuits without causing
a war. The amendment was just, in that II
also provided means for the leagues to an
mex such cities they might desire from
leagues in a class below. II the proposed
circuit should be organized the remaining
American Association cities can assume
control of what Western League cities they
desire, and the same can be done by the
Eastern League, and so on down the line
until every league would have its full cir
cult Of desirable cities.