The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-10-24
Manager Of Indians Has Boon Catch
ing Fouls for Public and Now
He VIII Catch (Fowls)
for Himself.
MAY MEAN RETIREMENT
There is Division Of Opinion In keo.
kuk and Fans Will Have to
Show Hand at Mass
Meeting.

Frank Belt, manager OF the Keo-
kuk baseball team for the past three
years, has entered the role of chicken
fancier-a step which many say may
mark his retirement from the national
game
He has secured the property OF
James C. Davis, situated on the
boulevard a short distance from the
north gate of Rand park and there
will plunge into new business. The
property comprises about three and
one-half acres and is we'll suited for
the purposes to which 1t will be put.
Wife Makes a Plea.
1t is known that Manager Belts
wife is seeking to have him desert
the game after his successful career
of twenty years, and 1t is believed
that unless the fans of Keokuk-those
who put their money into baseball
here-show beyond question that Belt
is wanted to lead Keokuk again, his
retirement will be a matter OF history
in the near future. Belt states that
he has good offer from a minor
league club, an offer that he has been
holding out on for some time, but If
he does not remain at the head OF
the Keokuk club it is believed that
he will pass it up and forsake the
game for all time.
Situation Is Peculiar.
The situation in Keokuk is rather a
peculiar one at the present time. 1t
seems as though the city is about
divided as to leader for next season.
Many of the heavy contributors to the
finances of the club are for Belt,
while there are also a number of ball
park bugs who oppose him. Which
element is the stronger remains to
be seen, and will be decided at the
annual meeting OF the baseball asso-
citation early in November
Not only is there divided feeling
among the baseball fans, or contrib
utors to the game, but those on the
inside declare that there is division
among the directors themselves and
the future may depend entirely upon
what men are elected to the direc-
torate in the event of designations
OF any of the present members of
the board.
Success is Varied.
The work of Frank Belt as man
ager of the Keokuk baseball team has
appealed to some and has been dis
approved by others. During the first
TWO years of his managership success
attended his efforts, but during the
past season he has been held down
on account of little financial assist
ance. 1t is true that more money
was raised here than during any pre-
Nious season, but the fact that other
ciups IN the league spent big sums for
class and c players made Keo-
kuk S line UP look weak, AT any other
ufne Belts team would have been up
IN the running, for it was at least as
strong as the club that nearly won
pennant for the city in 1909.
Strong Point in His Favor.
Whatever can be said as to Belts
generalship, his conduct on the field
ana his other traits that in many in
stances mould public sentiment. it
must be said that he has given the
citys baseball affairs an honest adj
ministration.
heokulS must decide if they want
pet or not. This is what is before
.nem now. A mass meeting will like
y be held and the matter disposed of
within the next two weeks.
!
How Belt Would Benefit
1t appears that Belt, as developer