Evening journal., 1910-11-28
TRI-STATE LEAGUE
A LITTLE WOBBLY
Even The Altoona MagnateS
Are HeSitatinG About
Putting Up Cash
RAMSEY GETS ORDERS
ON WHAT TO BUY

The announcement tnat the IRAN
chise of the Wilhamsport and Johns
town teams are on the market aud
that baseball enthusiasts in cities not
now represented I'm the Tri-State havo
q an opportunity to get choice lot of
players at bargain prices. seems TO be
having a rather depressing effect on
the magnates in other towns around
the circuit, and there is some danger,
judging from statements made through
the newspapers, that the Tri-State will
not do business in 1911. or course, this
may be only the usual winter wall of
woe and the tune may change when
the bluebirds begin TO warble. but the
outlook at the present time is certain
ly not very promising. The sporting
editor of the Altoona Times discussed
the situation I'm his paper the other
day as follows:
The outlook for the continuance uf
the Tri-State League is not as bright
as those interested In the organization
would have 1t, and there are serious
misgivings in the minds OF those who
have stod back of il through its vicis-
situdes that they are at no pains to
conceal Unless there is a material
revival of interest in the several towns
comprising the, league its days ARE
where sentiment, on which Il has been
nurtured, no longer passes currency.
Williamsport's coterie of enthusiasts
have contracted writer's paralysis fill
ing in checks TO make up deficits and
have decided to quit cold. They have
been good sports in every sense Of the
word. but feel, and not unjustly, that
their efforts to keep a good team i'm
that town have not been properly ap-
preciated.
Johnstown is another city whose
baseball promoters are suffering from
an affection of the pocket nerve The
past season was disastrous I'm more
ways than one Several thousand dol
lars were sunk in promoting a losing
team. and before the season ended the
announcement was made that the city
would not be represented this year
unless new supply of spendthrifts
came forth to buttress the diminishing
gate receipts. II now appears i'm
probable that our western neighbor
will answer to its name when the roll
is called next year.
Harrisburg promoters have been
weary of their load for several years
and have remained in the league be-
cause Of pride that would not brook
the idea of quitting while othe- cities
went along merrily throwing good
money on the altar of the national
pastime. If motion is made to close
up the league there will be no lack Of
seconds If Harrisburg is present.
trenton has been standing the gaff
with Ill humor and there has been
considerable talk down that way OF
getting from under before the fiamsy
structure collapses. Just at present
George Washington Heckert is en-
ploying an original brand Of sale that
causes visions of large dividends to
iioat before the eyes of magnates who
are congenially optimistic.
Lancaster alone seems to derive en-
, 1oyment from the experience OF max
ing up losses, but IL is probable that
II Will view the situation so complac-
emily when il has borne the brunt of a
losing venture as long as some of the
other cities which are now in the
league
Uncertainty In Altoona.
II has developed that there Is some
uncertainty as to the situation in Al
toona, and IL is not positively certain
that Altoona Will start when the flag
falls next April. A prominent official
or the local association informed an
Altoona Times representative last
night that there is impe rative need of
new funds in the organization aud
that unless they are forthcoming AL
toona may not be represented with n
professional baseball team next yea.
We closed the recent season with
an empty treasury" this official said,
In spite of the fact that Altoona won
the pennant and set the pace through
, out the season. II we cannot break
even with winner what hope is there
OF surviving If, pe-chance, the team
should not be so fortunately situated
In the championship race?
Had IL not been that We realized a
handsome sum of money from the sale
Of players the Altoona association
would have ended the season heavily
In debt. We do not believe that the
fans Of this citY expect us to continue
indefinitely making up deficits. Prob
ably more than $4,000 has been lost
by gentlemen who have been interest
ed in baseball In this city during the
past six years, and there is no chance
that they will recoup under their
losses. We know that IL We start next
year and drop several thousand dol
lars there will be no other course for
us but to grin aud bear it after we
have paid.
Personally, | feel that have lost
= all the money can afford to lose. ard
| am confident that others associated
with me are I'm the same position. II
viii required about $4,000 to meet
necessary expenses before the box
office is opened, and until this sum is
forthcoming nothing will be done look
ing TO next years campaign.
Manager Ramsey has been in
structed not TO contract for PLAYERS
whose title must be purchased and
as result several advantageous deals
nave been held up. We do not intend
, 70 oDligate ourselves until We are
sure that the money will be forthcom-
ing 10 meet IT,"