The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-24
NEW CIRCUIT FOR
VIRGINIA LEAGUE
Now Almost Certain That Roam
oke and Danville Will be
Dropped.
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4 HANNAH PRESIDENT
SCRAMBLE FOR CLUBS
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Norfolk Man to Head League
Best Towns in State
Want Fran
chises.

BY r. D. BONNEVILLE.

A fHSFe mas DseH any dOApt hereto
fore with reference TO an impending
change in the circuit of the Virginia
League. that doubt Ia now dispelled.
II the Roanoke and Danville clubs have
continued to nurse hope that they
might remain In the organization, that
hope Is now about gone. The meeting
of several league magnates in Norfolk
Friday about settles the question, and
when the meeting liz held on October
10 for the arrangement OF the circuit
and other matters the magnates will
show their hands and a new circuit
Will be formed.
The meeting ia Norfolk Friday was
attended by Messrs. Bradley, OF Rich
irforid: Finne, of Petersburg; Consolvo
and Cheshire, Of Norfolk: Van Patton
and Booker. of Portsmouth, and c. E..
A. Becker. of Newport News
1t was no secret meeting and re-
porters of the papers were allowed to
he present. According 10 the mag
mates, IL was simply an informal gath
ering to discuss the business OF the
League and 20 get clear understanding
Of the principal issues now facing the
owners OF the clubs.
II il stated that nothing was pledged
and nothing Was promised. After dis
ctsslng the many matters concerning
parties In attendance left for their
homes to hide their time until the
meeting Is held here on October 10.
Two New Clubs.
Tx present plans carry. IL is very
likely that there win be two new clubs
in the Virginia League circuit when
the first ball Is pitched on April 81.
From present indications these two
towns viii be Portsmouth and either
Newport News or Hampton.
The Portsmouth people who attend :
ed the meeting stated that the Truck
srs are very anxious to get back In the
league and will offer every inducemeut
possible for chance Messrs Patton
and Booker stated that there Is more
enthusiasm than ever In their city and
that the fans are anxious to get a
club.
The Portsmouth magnates stated
that they are contemplating the con-
strnctien OF new and modern base
ban plant. and this Will be part OF
their contribution toward the re-es-
Enlistment of rhe club In their city.
Portsmouth will send two delegates
to the coming meeting OF the mag
mates They will bring subscription
list signed by the best citizens of
Portsmouth and promising to put az
at least 5000 as starter. This Will
doubtless be weighty argument. and
will probably be the means of get
ting Portsmouth franchise,
Newport News vs.. Hampton.
Ii IL likely that there viii be a
strong fight between Newport News
and Hampton for franchise In the
new circuit Mr.. @. b. A. Booker,
or Newport News, was present at the
meeting In Norfolk and stated tina,
the people OF his city are willing 10
subscribe Handsomely TO the club and
will make guarantees for gate re.
cetpts-
No one was present from Hampton
but they sent word that they were
out for franchise and would send
representatives tv the league meet
Ing with a subscription. 1t is expected
that Messrs- Frank Darling and
George schmelz. two Peninsula capt.
talists. will take an active part in
securing a franchise for Hampton.
How TO DO II.
There is question in the minds
OF some persons as to how 1t win be
possible to drop the Danvilie and
Roanoke clubs out OF the circuit II
they stand firm with the I4ynchbure
club 1t is hardly likely that Lynch
burg will stand with them when they
zee how the other magnates stand In
the matter Lynchburg is likely to
20 over to the other side in order
Is make itself safe and insure a
peace In the circuit
However. whether I.ynchburg gets
In line or not. the other clubs viii
not mind. as they will organize theii
league anyway, The present Virginia
League will dissolve when the per
League will dissolve when the five
year contract expires In November
and when 1t Is reorganixed just those
towns that are wanted will be taken
In
AT the recent meeting Of the mag,
mates, President Wells expressed ths
opinion that after the contract ex.
pires the magnates win be nothing
more than individuals and can band
themselves together just as the,
please,
bury, Petersburg. Portsmouth and
Hampton or Newport News, repre-.
scented at the meeting, what Is to pre-.
vent their forming a circuit and sign,
tnR MP their new contract for fivs
years. This seems to he the plan
ana Il IL Il carried through Roanoke
and DAnv3lie win he left out and will
have 10 eek elsewhere for place II
play.
HnnnAn for President.
Re the above deal Is carried through
Billy Hannah will be the next presi
dent of the league. This was pointed
y out In the virginian several days ago
n and now seems to be almost certain
Hannah - good baseball man and
y Will doubtless make fine head foa
the league. He may be depended
upon to rule the circuit Impartial,
( and hin election will mean the end o.
the umptte trouble. ~ no viii quickl,
put atop u the kidd or behavior
that marked the work OF the umpirel
s thin 6eAsun.
Norfolk and Portsmouth VIII advo,
CO Harmon and Richmond will prob
Y Ab1y vote for him. The other club
\ viii probably follow theaA three.
CosanAtttpo leect1ns
The circni& committees compubot
n< Roanoke. Norfolk ana Rlchinund
X hppointed NJ President Wells ~ III
recent useatfnx OF tho rna6nAtse. wi
&o{A r stihg IN GAtnrday, 0c lnhaa
\ fynii13 S1, l|SS0G1 1870 a NJ