The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-10

That this will be one of the big
gest years known In the Virginia State
league of baseball teams is shown by
the intense feeling still displayed by
the fans in all the cities in the cir
cult. From Norfolk comes a roar
against Roanoke and Danviiie. From
Roanoke comes indignant remarks
about Richmond. IL the teams put
up an article of ball half as full of
craftsmanship as the feelings of the
fans. then there Is going to be some
rare old games on the various dta-
monds next season.
Especial to The Richmond virginian.)
NORFOLK, VA. Jan. 1o.--As far
as Norfolk is concerned, the prospect
of a brilliant season In the Virginia
League Is not assured as yet. The
fans are not fully satisfied In regard
to the situation here, and while they
are willing TO give President Williams
all the credit that is due him for the
manner in which he carried out his
purpose OF getting the old Norfolk
owners out, they would like TO know
who will really control the destinies
of the team here in 1911.
so far only the names of b. +.
Howard and Woodward Allen have
been made public in connection with
the purchase of the franchise. Mr..
Howard Is connected with the Inter-
national Correspondence School and
has desk in a photograph studio
on CRANKY street. Mr.. Allen is In
the employ OF the Norfolk and West
ern, 1t is admitted by President Will
Hams that there are others who have
their money invested in the plant, but
that is all that can be learned from
him.
The general belief here is that Roa-
noke people have bought the Norfolk
Club. and that the same people own
stock in the Roanoke Baseball Assoc
citation. If this Is true. the result
will be disastrous,
1t has also been limited that Char
lie Babb. who Is to manage the Crew
next season. purchased the club
through President Williams. but this
is not accepted as true. because the
fans figure that If Mr.. Babb had
bought the franchise there would
have been no reason for keeping the
fact a secret. IL Is also contended
that Mr.. Babb would have been on
the ground TO look into the propo-
sition before investing his money in
IL.
Aside from this phase OF the situa-
ton the thought that Portsmouth will
DO EliIIiIU&tGd 1TUHt the fS1EuN rs NOT
an agreeable one TO the Norfolk fans.
They had been figuring on a club in
Truckertown In 1911. and they had
been figuring on walloping that club
"a majority of the games played be-
tween the two teams during the sea-
son. II is this rivalry between Nor
folk and Portsmouth CHAT makes the
interest in the game SO great in Tide
water
With either OF the two cities out of
1t. interest Is bound to Tag. That was
shown last season. when President
Williams succeeded in having the
Portsmouth team transferred TO Pc
tersburg when Portsmouth money was
offered for It and guarantee to take
care OF the debts accumulated by the
Richmond owners.
As an indication OF the way the
wind Is blowing here you can hear
nothing but expressions of dissatisfac-
ton wherever baseball is discussed.
The fans say they want to know who
is at the head OF the Norfolk team.
any chance for Portsmouth to get
into the league. The first question
may not be answered for sometime:
the other will be in few days.
The general belief is that President
williams has the affairs OF the league
go locked up to satisfy his own am
billions that there Is no chance TO get
any other city into the organization
that Is not already a part Of 1t. still.
there arE some who believe tiist own
FER Bradley. of the Richmond team
may convince the Danviile. Petersburg
or Lynchburg owners that IL would
he to the best interests or the league
TO admit Portsmouth, and that Truck
ertown still has "a chance to get into
the select company, In the meantime
the Portsmouth Association is not
fight to get franchise, although it's
application has been filed In accord
ance with the requirements 81 Presi-
dent Williams.