The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-01-03
MINOR LEAGUES
| IN UGLY MOOD
Threaten to Kick Up Rumpus
at Meeting.
DEMAND HIGHER RATING

National Baseball Commission Now
Threatened With open Revolt on
Part of Eastern League and Amerl-
can Association II Requests Are
Turned Down Census Figures
Show They Are In Position to In
wade Major League Territory.
Cincinnati, o., Jan. 3. - When the
national baseball commission met
In Cincinnati today, it was predicted
that the Eastern league and the
American association will be turned
down in response to their joint de-
mand for a higher classification. If
they take the bull by the horns and
withdraw from the National Associa-
tion of Minor Leagues, the commits
sion will declare that they are out
laws end have forfeited a right to
protection under the national agree
ment which governs organized base
ball. These big minor leagues have
grown so rapidly that the commission
and the two major leagues regard
them with apprehension. 1t is feared
that If they are permitted to break
away from the other minor leagues
it will be a difficult task to keep
them in subjection, and that in due
time they will summon up enough
courage to invade major league ter
ritory.
The new census shows that the
Eastern league and the American as
scciation control thickly-populated
territory, and that there is sufficient
patronage to make all of the clubs in
those circuits more valuable than
ever before. The association en-
braces Kansas City, indianapolis, Mil
waukee, Louisville, Columbus, Toledo
and st. Paul. OF these Kansas City,
Indianapolis, Louisville and several
in the Eastern league are former Ma.
tional league cities, and are believed
to be hankering again for major
league ball. BY the process of expan-
sion both circuits can be greatly
strengthened, and that is the princi-
pal reason why the big fellows do not
want to grant even the smallest con-
cessions.
The association men have often
discussed the probable result of an
invasion Of Chicago, Cleveland, Pitts
burg, Cincinnati or Detroit, while
baseball sharps have frequently pre-
dlcted that some of these days the
Eastern league would try to locate
new clubs in New York and Brook
lyn. If such invasions should mater
ialiZe, 1t Is pointed cut that a combi-
nation of the best cities in the two
circuits would form new and power
full major league which would have
to be crushed or admitted to the
charmed circle with the National and
American leagues. The growth of
baseball, 1t is argued by advocates OF
the big minors, wants wider scope
in the promotion of major league
ball, and as more young players are
springing up now than in former
years, 1t is believed that the neces-
sary high-class talent would not be
hard to find.
The American association and the
Eastern league are naturally anxious
TO better themselves by securing a
new status that will elevate them
higher above the other minor leagues
than now, just as the American
league did, and which will place them
just below the big leagues in point of
class and importance. These power
full minors believe that they are enti-
tied to recognition and are prepared
to fight for their rights if the moguls
mt Cincinnati refuse to grant their