Evening journal., 1910-12-06
MANAGER HECKERT
TALKS PROSPECTS
Says Tri-State League is Not
So Near Down and Out
As Represented

Lutte fact. according to George W.
Heckert. manager of the Trenton
club. Manager Heckert declares that
reports now current Of the infirm com
dition of the league and of the will
ingness Of a number Of Clubs TO dis
pose OF their franchises is grossly eX-
laggerated and many of the stories en-
tirely unfounded.
The Trenton manager recently re-
turned from a trip around the circuit,
when he acquired a knowledge Of
every club in the league II was from
this he spoke when interviewed Mr..
Heckert states that there will be at
least one new member in the league
neXt season. Wilmington replacing
] Williamsport, while Johnstown cannot
/ be counted out entirely. Although "A
losing proposition in former years
Heckert believes that Tri-State ball
can be made a paying game with Vhe
reduction of the club salary limit.
THE Tri-State League is in just ms
good shape to-day as n ever was said
Mr. Heckert. and you will find that
when the bell rings next season we
will have eight good cities with as.
Yes. 10 Is true we have been a losing
league, but you must remember that
we have done wonders in coming
down from $4,000 per month to $4,000
and then to $4,000. Last year at $2,500
all clubs lost money, and | feel con-
iident that our pay roll Will be cut
to not more than S2,l00 at the next
meeting Of our league. We will con-
tinue to give the public Just as good
ball The only trouble ] see is that
the cities in a small league like ours
are not satisfied with good ball, but
want their teams first If they play
good ball and are In the second di-
vision the attendance falls off, and the
clubs are compelled to take a loss.
THE Tri-State has done wonders in
advertising to different cities. Take
Williamsport the smallest town. al
ways had a good club, always In the
first division. and I am sure IL has ad-
vertised WilliamspOrt more than any
thing else Wlliamsport could have
done for the same amount Of money.
And now you say Williamsport is quit
ing. l. for myself. am sorry, for had
many battle with them They had a
good lot of sports back OF the team,
and were game but for the good Of
our league | am pleased to see the
team moved TO a large city like VIII
mington. and az the same time see
that some Of the same hackers will be
with them.
"Johnstown? Well, Johastown has
been up against Il. and while their
teams always look good they have all
kinds of hard luck. Johnstown has not
quit, and l hope they will change their
minds and be with the Tgi-State next
season.
"I have been over the circuit and
; find that York, Lancaster. Reading
IlTrenton. Altoona and Harrisburg vii
be In good shape, but our league mus
get down 10 business, and that mean
q shorter payroll. The patrons of on
games would be surprised to kno'
that only two clubs in our leagu
drew over $4,000 people last seasol
with about fifty games played O
home grounds. But our league look
better to me with Wilmington, whic
has a drawing population of over $50
600. | hope TO see Johnstown, Altoon'
Harrisburg and York In our wester
circuit. and Lancaster. Reading WI
mington and Trenton our easter
clubs. ] feel confident with a reduC
ton in the salary limit, We will be i
good standing.
About the players and the reduce
salary? Well. ! think it Is about tiIs'
for the players to think Players VIII
were not sold or drafted will have {
be satisfied. They get It all and I don
see that they can complain I'm bas,
ball to-day IL is up to the player.
he goes up he gets the money. On
league has been more than good to n
ball players and has done more
keep the salaries up than all the 9th,
leagues put together Now, II we wal
TO live, we must pay what We can a
ford. The player will get just as muC
from this league as any other Cla,
B league in the country. except 4
New York State. and Il could not exi
without Sunday ball.
THE Tri-State is all right. and v
will give just as good baseball ne
season as last. and we certainly rs
good teams in 1910. Our league is
good shape, only we must do what tn
league never did, and that is, z
down TO business and cut out the SCI
timental end Of the game. Sentime
is all right, but IL takes money TO u,
ball players. so II each town boost
and the knockers put away their har
mers you will find the same peop
who have been taking a loss year aft
year 70 give you a winner again m