The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-24
TONE BIG LEAGUE
Western and Western AssOcia-
ton May Be Merged.
President ShiveIey Would Be
Head of New Organization.


A telegram to the state Journal from
Des Moines. Ia. this morning was. re-
ceived to the effect that there was a
plan on foot for the reorganization OF
the Western League and the Western
Association. The president of the as
ISOLATION under the new plan has al
ready been selected and the plan ac-
cording TO the dispatch IS to drop on.
the two Colorado cities of the Western
League, Denver and Pueblo
The telegram was shown to President
D. g. Cooley OF the Topeka baseball
team this morning. Mr. Cooley admit
ted that plans were being discussed for
such reorganization and that the
prospects for such a move in the west
ern baseball world We're farora BILE
1t has been known for some time
that the Western league would like
very much to change their circuit by
dropping the Colorado cities. The
jump to Colorado is a long one Den
yer IS the best town in Colorado but
the team there is owned by George
Iebeau, the multimagnate. The people
OF the Rockies are disguised with the
working of a Tebeau team and con-
sequently the team there has received
but poor support this year. Every
team in the Western league during the
past season lost money on their trips
to Colorado. It has long been recog-
this league would be advantageous and
for the past two years longing ewes
1 nave been turned towards some of the
best towns in the Shiveley circuit.
The only drawback to the plans which
are now on foot will be the dissolution
OF the two leagues The only way in
which town can be taken from -..e
Western league IS by breaking the
league Each team in the league has
deposited in the league treasury a large
T.a- how Il
the circuit for five years. However, if
a majority OF the teams vote to dis
solve the league it can be done. Or in
case of tie vote the president may
decide. In the Western league Sioux
| City, Omaha and Lincoln are very
anxious for a change. It has been sup
posed that Des Moines would be op-
posed to the movement but Mike Can
tilen, one Of the owners Of the Des
Moines. has recently signified his Will
ingness TO take part and help along the
proposed change. So it seems that as
far as the Western league is concerned
that the plans can be carried out IN the
circuit. Tebeau, the owner of the Den
yer team, would undoubtedly be op-
posed TO any change which would
jeopardize his interests in the Denver
team. But his influence against the plan
would likely line up all the other mag
mates in the league against him.
The rub viii come in the Western
dSSOCEdLlOH- 4kle PlotiiS NeNAA III al
eight club circuit which viii mean
that four of the eight clubs viii be
| selected from the Western association.
Topeka and Wichita, which are the
two best towns in the league. are
slated for franchises in the league and
the other two will probably be Joplin
and Oklahoma City. II these four are
taken In their votes at the league
meeting would undoubtedly be favor
able TO the dissolution of the league.
DR. d. NJ sShively is slated for the pres
idency of the new circuit. and in case of
tie vote he could be prevailed upon to
decide favorably to the new plans
The plans will come up for further con
sideratfon at the fall meeting of the
league in Kansas City, which win be cali
ed within a few weeks.
The Western league is a class A organ
izatjon This would elevate the game
in Topeka two classes higher. The eight
teams. which will be Des Moines, Omaha,
Sioux City, Lincoln Ja5lin, Oklahoma
City Wichita and Topeka. would make a
well balanced team. The distance be
tween the towns would not be too far, 50
that trip from one town to another
would mean a loss. The. towns are fairly
well balanced for the most part in pop
ulatfOn.