The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-28
UNION LEA.UE MAY
PLACE TEAM HERE
Promoter All. Lawson Is Con-
siicrin, This City for Ills
New Circuit.
ATKINS is LOCAL PROMOTER

~ 2 f & i
1lichmond ls to have baseball team
In the projected Union League Of pro-
fessionnl baseball clubs, if the plans
of the projectors of that organization
and Of wclI.known local baseball pro-
moters do not iniscarry. Sfr. Al. Law
son, OF Itending Pa. who is organizing
the new OUTLAW league, s favoraby
Impressed with Richmond as base
ball city of large calibrs, and II is re-
sarded rs highly probable that lie will
add Richmond to the list Of cities COM
posing the new league circuit and put
club here.
Tommy" Atkins. n well-known local
sporting writer and promoter Of base
bali, has Just received letter from,
Mr.. Lawson. Indicating that he thinks
highly OF Richmond and will shortly
visit this city and go over the ground
himself with Il view to determining the
matter OF locating II club here Mr..
Atkins. II Is understood. is backed by
wcll-known local baseball followers
with capital. and states that mn adn'l-
rablc site for IL park is under option.
and that the denl therefor VIII be closed
Just ns soon as Mr.. Lawson visits the
city and closes the matter finally.
The site OF the proposed Union
League Park is just east OF the Horse
Show Building, and accessible by the
cars of the Main Street and Main and
Broad Streets lines. The ground is
admirably adapted for the purpose, and
II is estimated that 1t can be equipped
IS baseball park at n cost OF $4,000
% $4,000. This amount, ii Is under
stood. Is already subscribed, and ar
rangements have been made to close
the deal and then to fence the park
Just AS soon as the league circuit 10
definitely made up.
Expect 10 Enlist stars.
The promoters of the new "o,itlaw''
organization are confident that many
major league players will be at
tracted TO tile new organization, and
thht the cream Of the minor leagues
OF various classes will be enlisted
among its players. OF course. with n
club of such calibre In this city IL
would mean war between the Virginia
state League. in which the Richmond
club Is strong. not to say indispen-
sable factor. and the new Union League
organization. Mr.. Lawson appears 10
be confident that his Organization
would be the better drawing card. Tho
city would hardly support both leagues.
and the situation would mean war be-
tween the rival teams with the strong
est surviving.
The cities already enlisted In the
prospective organization are Brooklyn,
w uSnlDktOtl.
Reading, Newark and probably Will
minston, Del. Richmond would make
the eighth club In several of the
cities named prospective managers are
reported to be already at work draft
Ing players and looking about for
quarters The idea OF the organization
Is revolt against organized baseball,
all OF which is dominated by the Ma
tional Baseball Commission. In many
quarters there is skepticism as to the
success of the Lawson project. but MIR.
Lawson is going ahead with the work
OF making up his circuit
Mr.. LnwsOn's Letter.
The letter OF Mr.. Lawson ia Mr..
Atkins, the local promoter OF the pro-
Jeci is as follows:
Dear Sir.-Rcplying to yours OF the
.lst instant. will say that, as presi-
dent. have been instructed to look
into the various applications for fran
chises in the Union League and make
endatlons as to the most worthy
at meeting To be held In short
Time to complete the circuit.
Now then. personally. believe that
with the proper people back of club
In Richmond it ought to be a good city
for our circuit and there is no ques-
lion in my mind as to which would
get the patronage in Richmond.
i would advise You TO get thirty
or sixty days lease. or a lease for q
term OF years, upon park, with the
understanding that ii will be null and
void In the event Richmond is not
granted n franchise in this league.
Il will say right here that Rich
'nond' looks good to me. IL you have
the right sort OF people with you.
Yours truly,
"a. ". LAWSON.