The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-26
RAISED TO CLASS C.
Baseball Association Takes a Grade
Higher.

Kansas City, Jan. 26.-The Western
association took one more upward
step today on the ladder which it is
so rapidly climbing, by advancing
from a class D to a class c league.
This carries with it a salary limit Of
$1,000 a month instead of $500 such
as maintained in the Missouri Valley
league, which name the association
bore last summer. The association is
now in the same rank with the Central
and Connecticut leagues, and just one
place below the Three I league, which
is in class D..
h January meeting took place to-
day at the Baltimore hotel, representa-
tives from all of the different clubs in
the circuit being present.
The proposed and probable voting
Of a franchise to WIGHT in the place
OF Plttsburg did not take place today
as expected. The Windy City people
are not quite ready to buv vet be-
cause the money is not ali on hand.
A letter was received. however, today
by President Shiveley assuring him
that Wichita would buy out the Pirate
franchise shortly, and that rapid prog
ress was being made in selling the
stock. Frank Isbell, of the Chicago
White SOx, whose home is at Wichita.
VIII be a shareholder No representa-
tive from Wichita was present at the
meeting today, the letter stating that
none of the Interested parties were
able to get away.
A schedule committee was appointed
ana instructed to draw I'D a series of
14O games for each club instead of 13S
as last year That viii cause the pIaV-
ing season to be heightened to October
l, instead OF September Is, as it has
Deen heretofore. The season will oDen
on April 80. in the towns farthest south
in the circuit, because the weather will
pc apt to be more favorable at those
places early in the year. For the first
month four games will be played at a
town. This will help to get rid of some
of the increased schedule. About June
l the regular three days series will
again be maintained. D-ouble-headers
viii be played on every holiday through
out the season.
Guthrie and Oklahoma were formally
given admission to the association in
the places of lola and Fort Scott.
Another important step was taken in
the raising of the guarantee for a Wis
iting team for the series from S75 TO
500. To make this matter clear If mus+
be explained that heretofore a visiting
team received so per cent of the each
days gate receipts, but if thai fell be-
low SIS, the home team had to make
up the difference. Hereafter the e11ar-
antee will be 500 for each three DAVIS
series. In this way a visiting team is
better protected in case the crowds are
small or inclement weather. Even the
$50 a day guarantee was pretty hard on
some Of the small towns where often
that amount was not taken in at the
gate. But next summer none Of the
towns in the present circuit win have
dlfhculty in making the guarantee re-
gardless OF weather.
In speaking of the condition of the
association, President ShiveIey said:
Everything is in tip-top shape. 1t
could not be better. Reports from ali
the towns indicate enthusiasm and will
ingness to get into the game next SUM
mer for all that it is worth. 1 autici-
! nzra most inTancn v5x~oT-- III ---- -
circuit this summer Every one of the
managers tells me that he is skirmish-
ing for good men and in most instances
they gave me the roposed personnels
of their teams. We win -sthout ones
ton have the premier season OF our ex-
istence."