The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-28
What Has the Future in Store
for Topeka.
Western League Talk Again
Being Agitated.
LITTLE HOPE AHEAD.
Colorado Springs and ST. Joe
90. May Be Admitted.
But There is Little Chance for
Western Association Towns.

Now that the baseball seasons in
the Western league and Western as
ISOLATION are over, the interest of the
fans in both circuits is turned to-
wards the prospects for the coming
season The Western league towns
are clamoring for the admission of
two more towns in their circuit, while
certain of the Western association
towns are restless and ANXIOUS to get
into a higher circuit where they can
play to better crowds and support q
better baseball team.
Last spring the proposition to add
Topeka and ST. Joseph to the Western
league was threshed over and over be-
fore the National asso citation and Ma
tional commission without helping the
Western league to enlarge their cir
cult to an eight club league. AT that
time this proposition was looked upon
as the most favorable and was the one
for which President Tip O'Neill
fought and lost. Earlier in the sea-
son the plan was suggested of taking
and four towns of the Western league
and making an eight club circuit by
merging the two organizations The
circuit as was planned at that time
would have consisted of Topeka,
Wichita, Oklahoma City, Joplin, |
Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City and Des
Moines However, this plan did not |
get very far owing to the inevitable /
struegle between Presidents O'Neill I
and Shively for the control OF the new
organization. Opposition to dropping
Denver was also looked for from
George Tebeau, owner of the Denver
franchise, and an important factor in
western baseball. Hence this plan
was early abandoned for the plan of
adding Topeka and St Joseph.
Since the Western league interests
headed by President Norris l.. O'Neill
lost the Topeka-St. Joseph fight after
q hard battle, it is not thought likely
that they will again attempt to add
Topeka. A meeting of the western
league rnagnates was held in Chicago
during the early part of the week. At
this meeting there was considerable
talk of adding two more towns to the
circuit. President O'Neiu stated at
the meeting that he had spent a great
deal of the past season in formulating
plans for the extension of the Western
league in 1908. President O'Neill was
given authority to make whatever
made for the expanding into an eight
club league. President O'Neill stated
that he would be ready to make his
announcement at the end of the
week. !
The sentiment of the western
league magnates was decidedly
against trying to secure Topeka for
another season as it seemed to them
to be losing fight. Consequently
other plans were discussed. One town
which will in all probability be added
is St Joseph. The Western league has
maid protection for this town and al
town next season. Colorado Springs
was represented at the Western league
meeting and an announcement was
made that the fans in that city had !
already subscribed enough money to
secure a strong team for 1908 and it is
not unlikely that Colorado Springs
will be added. There will be but little
difficulty in securing Colorado Springs,
IT. - ~
other fight. With three towns in
Colorado the long jump would not be
SO noticeable.
Unless the Western league puts up
a fight for Topeka, it is not unlikely
that there will be many big changes
in the Western association for next
season. According to the present dope 4
there are five towns which are sure of ,
season. Topeka, Joplin, Wichita, Okla !
homa City and Hutchinson have all :
paid well this season and will be good !
towns next season. Webb City might /
pressed by those who know. With !
Springfield and Leavenworth there is r
no doubt whatever. Something must I
be done. The Springfield team has :
not been able to pay salaries this sea- !
son. Dud Risley is talking of assum-
ing the ownership of the franchise for
next season and putting a good team
IN the field. If such thing can be |
zone Springfield De restored TO
her former standing as a baseball 7
town. Otherwise another town should
be secured. With Leavenworth had it | ]
not been for the games at the Soldiers I
home and the games which were !
transferred to other towns this season t
the team would have gone into bank l
ruptcy long ago. As 1t is the pros !
poets have not been encouraging {
enough to warrant any continuance of
the franchise in the prison town.
At best it seems that the league i
should have two or three more towns I
for next season Independence and
Coffeyville should make a couple of S
good towns They are both growing /