The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-20

 of the Southern league are larger than the cities of the South Atlantic. The ! fact will remain, however, that man starring this year in the Sally will be able to star the following season in the Southern.
 But the poor old Cotton States, after struggling along for a number of sea- sons suffering each year a financial loss, is destined to fall unless some spirit with plenty of money comes along and shoulders the whole burden. At re- cont meeting of the fans of Jackson, which city won the championship last season. the poorest spirit was demon strated, and while it Is stated that but $500 is needed to gather together team, but one-third of that amount was raised. Unless the remaining 5000 Is raised, says the Jackson scribe, "this city will tumble from the perch With Jackson out, what will become of the league?
 Still darker pictures are drawn from Columbus A special yesterday from that city states that Walter Weaver, president of the club, and a most excellent sports man, is endeavoring to put into effect ruling that each city shall have but five professionals on it's team. Unless this ruling becomes effective says the spe- cial Columbus must fall out, because the game has been operated in this city
 
 and those who in the past have borne the burden without complaint, are un- able longer to do so."
 The plight of the Cotton States is due to the fact that the cities of the circuit are really too small to support a base ball team at the salaries which profes- sional players of today draw Money and a great amount of money is required to operate a team of 12 or more players, and 1t is really a fact that the Cotton States circuit has bitten off more than 1t can chew. The cities of the South At lantic are large enough to support base ball and this accounts for the virility of the sport in that circuit
 In the south the lack of money has never handicapped. No team in the south, 1t matters not whether 1t is located in New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis and Atlanta or Montgomery, Mobile, Nash vile and Little Rock. will make money for its owners if 1t is capable of winning a fair percentage of it's games. And right here, it might be stated that 1t is really difficult matter to lose money. Birmingham, for instance. although 1t had a team last season which did not leave the bottom even for breathing spell, did not lose money. It was even break practically, and this fact is splendid commentary to the loyal fans of the Magic City.
 The writer does not believe that any other Southern city would support d "tailender'' as well as Birmingham, and with a team that breaks even. an aver age team, in other words, town would turn more money into the coffers of an association.
 Why can't Birmingham have a city league of semi professionals or fast anna teurs?
 Birmingham can have such if Birming- ham desires
 An organization is needed and some leader should advance right now There should be a president and a board of directors. When these are obtained the selection of the teams will be a simple matter
 These teams should have a regular schedule and it is true that enough in- terest could be aroused to draw the peo- pie to the games.
 The great majority of these games as a matter of fact, should be played when the Birmingham professionals are on the road. The papers would get behind such movement, and the fans in Birmingham are lovers of sport to such a degree that they would not tire of continuous base ball.
 Birmingham. indeed, in this respect is trifle behind other southern cities. Memphis has such an organization, as has New Orleans. Atlanta is preparing to foist one semi-professional team to represent that city, this team to meet all other teams of similar strength in Georgia and adjoining states
 St. Louis is the ideal city for semi professional leagues. While of course Birmingham could not accomplish what St. Louis accomplishes, Birmingham can