The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-19
LEAGUE BALL IN KANSAS.
Western Association Disrupted-Kan-
sas League in Its place.

Salina Journal: There is an excellent
chance for Salina to get into a real
baseball league next year if an agita-
ton among some of the central Kansas
fans materializes.
The advancement of Topeka and
Wichita to the Western league has al
most disrupted the Kansas end of the
Western association and it is likely
that Hutchinson will soon be dropped
for town that will give the organiza-
ton more condensed circuit. AS 1T
now stands Hutchinson is wav off in
the outskirts all alone and it's too long
jump for the eastern clubs to make.
Railroad trans ortation would eat up
the financial profits.
There was some talk about placing
SaHna in the Western association cir
cult to achieve the money loss and Ion g
jump from the eastern end. But when
the rumor got out that there wasn't
much chance for Sunday baseball here
and the best crowds came in the
twilight. the town was dropped from
the consideration, and that about
means the finish of Hutchinson.
Now, Hutchinson is observing the
handwriting and is hot after new
league of Kansas towns-and that's
where Salina comes in with a position
right up at the tor of the column.
1t is the scheme to organize a league
of the larger Kansas towns, of a class
as high, or nearly so, as this new
Western association! This Will give
central Kansas a class of baseball such
as it has never seen before and it can
be made to pay by limiting the sal
aries to 81 900 or 81. 200 per month, MAX
ing 1t a class probably much faster
than the present o. A. K. league.
In picking circuit the difficulty is
one of elimination. There are towns
galore who want in. The object likely
would be to secure the largest towns,
with a weather eye on railroad mile
age. Here is circuit CLEANED offhand
fom the map, and in which every town
has been heard from on the subject
of baseball for next year. All want it
and want it bade
SaIina, Abilene, Junction City, Man
haitian. Hutchinson, Newton, Emporia
and Ottawa.
The first four named are punched so
closely that the jumps could be made
on foot and not a game be missed.
Hutchinson and Newton are IN ad-
joining counties, .Emporia not far away
and Ottawa east about so miles fur
ther. The combined population of'the
towns Isl over 10000 They are all
within a radius OF L 5O-miles and easily
accessible on the railroads four being
on the main line of the Union Pacific
and the others on the Santa Fe. The
schedule could be-o so arranged that
from ottawa to Manhattan would be
the longest jump, and that is less than
It was demonstrated beyond ques-
ton last summer that baseball will pay
in Salina The fans had a sample copy
and are now after the real article.
There is no question about Hutchin-
son paying big money to the pro-
moters Newton shows no signs of
backing out after a year in the pro-
fessiona1 class. Abilene and Enter
prise could get together and have lot
of fun. junction City would draw
from Fort Riley. Perhaps it could be
arranged to play one game of each
series at the fort grounds for a good
guarantee. Manhattan has supported
some good semi-professional teams
and ought to draw well. Emporia has
been knocking for admission all fall