The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-26
they're ALL OFF.
Western League Negotiations
Over Topeka at End.
President Sexton Says CPL See
You in New York."
CHANGES ARE COMING.
Mr.. Shively Hints mt a Turning
Over.
Says Same Towns Will Be in
League at Start.

President Sexton of the Western
league has notified President Shiveley
of the Missouri Valley league that the
negotiations to place Topeka in the
Western league are all off. Shiveley
received this telegram from Sexton on
Sunday: Don't worry Nothing do
ing. See you in New York"
There is a whole chapter of past.
present and future minor league base
ball history in that message. But the
choicest morsel lies in the last part:
''See you in New York.
There need be no further loss of
sleep over the expected encroachment
of the Western on Missouri Valley
league territory. Sections open-faced
and unequivocal acquiescence to Shive-
ley's demand that he keep of, proves
that the attempted "rOping in of To-
peka was only a big bluff, or say
ing it in a little softer way, just a
''feeler" to ascertain the chances of
getting the town.
This winter is the crucial one for
the Western league. There is little
laid away in the larder of Sexton s
organization. The exchequer is weak
kneed-the enthusiasm niI-the man
ayers undecided whether to take
hands in next years game again. Some
sort of invigorating pump must be
applied, and the medicine is being
sought in new, fine producing ground
like Topeka, and similar present class
L cities
President Shiveley was asked yester-
day TO make a statement on the West
ern-Valley difficulties, and he replied:
Not worrying. Not worrying a bit"
And he stretched back into his chair
lit another cigar and pulled away con-
tentedly. Between the clouds of in
cense came floating repeatedly: Got
a good league, haven't we. It's a bird.
Next year we will have one of the best
circuits in the minor league baseball
world
How about the plan to merge the
Western and Valley leagues?'' he was
asked.
IF that is done.' replied shiveley.
the overtures will have to come from
that way 1 question very seriously
whether the Western will be in exist
ence next year We don't have to ask
for help from any direction. All they
want TO do now is let US alone. Sex
ton and have been in correspondence
in regard TO this matter, and he has
done the square thing
What are the plans for next year?''
was askedy of President Shiveley.
Unsettled was his laconic reply.
Then upon being urged he made this
further statement; The Missouri
Valley league will be organized this
fall for 1905 with just the same towns
which now compose it. 1 have paid
protection for all of the present mem
bers of the circuit The changes will be
made next spring. Oklahoma City and
Wichita are ready to come in. 1 can
not say, however, whether they will or
not That is up to the managers 1
cannot talk about the contemplated
changes. There is no need going into
that matter now, because there IS
something else to be considered, and
that is the meeting of the National
Association of Professional Baseball
leagues which takes place in New York
in December. At that time the whole
minor league baseball map of the mid
die western states will likely be defac-
ed. The Missouri Valley league will be
in existance next year. however. but
under another name, the Western As
sociation. We have a good territory
right now and it is protected
Il do not know what will happen to
the Western League" continued Presi-
dent Shiveley. 1T is not my business
to know and I shall have nothing to
say as long as that organization keeps
OF our league. I know that the New
York meeting will strengthen the VAL
ley circuit. I feel confident that we will
be stronger and better and faster next
year. But we cannot do anything at
our fall meeting further than officially
close thesseason. settle up accounts and
oragnize for next year just as we now
exist The circuit meeting takes place
in the spring anyway. 1t would be fool
ish to lay plans now for nex- year. We
must wait until the New York meeting