The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-21

Plttsheld Eagle Says That is the Sit
uation In Shire City


That independent baseball will have
its last run this year in Pittsfield for
some seasons to come is the general
opinion of those few men who have
been putting up the money to support
the team now making its headquarters
at Wahconah park and the other
lovers of baseball as well, says the
Pittsfield Eagle.
If Pittsfeld is to have baseball next
season it will be through the city be-
ing represented in some league. The
only possible opening appears to be
the Connecticut league. II this lea
que should decide to return to mem
bership of eight teams 1t looks as IL
Pittsfield has an excellent chance. If
the league continues with its present
membership it looks as If baseball
will be all off so far as Pittsfeld is
concerned.
For several seasons it has been
demonstrated that independent base
ball is not paying venture, not only
in Pittsfield but in practically every
city in which the sport has been Ia
ken up. The North Adams team
made game but losing fight. Holy
oke and Northampton quit the game
almost before starting. Schenectady
has Independent teams but Sunday
baseball is the lifesaver.
1t will be admitted that the Ben
nlngton team is nearly as expensive
as that of Pittsfeld but the conditions
are somewhat different. In Ben
nington the baseball team Is looked
upon as a Bennington industry. The
merchants and manufacturers feel
that it is one of the few things that
brings the name of the town to the
outside world. Merchants and man
ufacturers contribute freely to its
support Then again Sunday base
ball is permitted in the town. This
is probably the only town in Vermont
where Sunday baseball is played. The
prominent men of the town take the
position that Sunday baseball is bet
ter than the Sunday rum holes and
for that reason not only do they en-
ter and protect but do all in their
power to make the game a success.
If Pittsfield is given league base
| ball il will mean that more interest
will have to be developed than has
been noticeable this year, There will
have to be a general movement tow.
lard securing a franchise. This may
and 1t may not cost some money. II
It costs money the people of Pittsfeld
will be asked to contribute. That
such contribution would be forth
coming there is but little doubt Up
TO the present time the stockholders
have stood all the expense of run
lining the team.
The Pittsfeld baseball association
has lease of Wahconah park which
has eight years to run This is con
sidered a good investment, even
though Pittsfield is not represented
by baseball team.
With the business men OF the city
pulling together for a league team
there would develop some suggestion
THAT some OF the few grand stands
that are very noticeable on the prop
erty of adjoining property owners al
lWahconah park be abolished At the
lpresent time there is one business
Imam who is furnishing accommoda
Itions for almost one quarter the mum
Der OF people who could be accommo
dated on the bleachers. No protes
has ever been made against this bu
liz can be stated with authority thaI
II baseball is continued at Wahconal
park next year and this is continued
protests will be made against tn
granting of certain privileges to mel
who persist in doing what they car
to injure baseball in the city. Tha
sport is injured by people who fur
Irish accommodations for patrons" u
the detriment of the game cannot b.
Idenied.
There are some people who occup.
adjoining property who are entitled
to privileges. These peoples prop
erty is at times damaged by the chas
ing of baseballs and no complaint ca
be made when those property owner
laccept the opportunity to enjoy tn
sport. IL is the people whose prof.
erty is in no way damaged and pei
sist in presenting free baseball I
their patrons" that the protests wi
be aimed.
The larger cities OF the countr
Hook upon baseball as big asset 10
any city and the chamber of con
merce and board of trade are intel
ested in whatever movements are pu
under way to make the game a SUI
! cess. A team advertises a city
, many ways, attracting visitors to tn
: games from the neighboring towns.
! Il is expected that during the earl
winter some definite understandin
r will be reached as to Pittshelds char
D ces for league baseball. II fral
chise is in sight men interested
the game will be asked TO meet an
consider the proposition. The me
behind the present team stand read
to give Pittsheld and the surroundin
) towns baseball But they will expe'
that II league baseball, which Is niue
more expensive. is presented, the su
...4 "a tha hnafnaQc mon Of the eli