The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-26
Baseball.
ONE WEEHEARL|E
Immense Sims Spent by the
Clubs for Spring Training
Trips.
POWERS SAYS NO BLAcKLl
Declares That Clash is Only.ya
Tempest in a Tea
pot.

7
NEW YORK, January 25.--Witf the
|leuguc openings set for almost n week
earlier than had been anticipated. baso-
ball followers will have an opportui-
ity this year to estimate the value OF
an early date. as compared with start
late in April. Probably II will be
found that while reasonable weather
will prevail in the interior cities, clubs
pluying along the Atlantic seaboard
will again experience difficulty In at.
week or two, until the sun warns the
bleachers.
Some OF the wiseacres who have
taken the trouble to look up the re-
cords claim that in n majority OF years
better baseball weather has prevailed
In mid-April than toward the end or
the month. They do not attempt to cx-
plain why this Is SO. contenting Them
selves with the assertion that the
weather records bear out the claim. II
this Is So. and presumably the mag
mates are aware OF the vagartcs OF the
climate, 1t would be folly to fail to
take advantage OF the opportunity. AT
least, the early opening will mean a
closing OF the season in time to give
ter chance than 1t has had during the
past two years. Tho spring training
trips OF the two New York league teams
cost $25.000.
Followers Of the American Associa-
ton say that the project of placing a
team in Chicago Is an exceedingly
live issue, despite the recent action OF
down its application to change the
circuit. They admit. however, that the
action will hardly be taken this year.
Next season they hope to be In shape
to follow their desires in the matter,
and when ready will move regardless
OF what the opposition may try to
dictate.
Not Invade Chfcn go.
If 1t is finally decided not to Invade
Chicago this year 1t will be becauss 1t
takes time to prepare for war, and 1t
pared. The conflict among the Amer
lean Association club owners seems to
be merely over details and not over
the broad proposition. There Is no
serious opposition now to the Invasion.
but there Is a failure on the part OF
the club-owners to get together OH
all Of the details. such as the control
of the franchise, the selection OF tic
ball grounds. etc. II those matters could
be settled to-day there would be q
club in Chicago this year.
Pat Powers, president OF the National
Association. says: There is no baseball
blacklist and we invite Harry Pulliam
|, or any other person to prove that the
National Association is trying to make
use OF such a weapon
Tempest In Teapot
The clash between the National COM
| mission and the National Association
| Isl called tempest in teapot" by
Mr.. Powers. He says that the minors
have never contemplated barring our
| players who have been reinstated by
the commission. This being the case.
says Powers, there Is no occasion for
1.-The minor league officials to formally
consider Pulliam's protest OF an injus-
| tice which has not been perpetrated.
While admitting that the ball-playNrs
and the press have been allowed to
labor under a wrong impression for
two months Mr.. Powers contends that
the National Commission has not acted
fairly toward the National Associa-
ton, and he Is very bitter in his do
nunciation Of the supreme court OF
baseball for the manner In which be
claims the rights OF the minor leagues
have been neglected.
There Is no occasion for Secretary
Farrell to reply to Pulliam's trade
said MIR. Powers. "and I don't expect
| him to lower his dignity by answering
an ,lnfounded charge. / do not cons