Evening journal., 1911-01-13
CLUBS LOST BY
TIGHT" POLICY
Tri-State Fans Would Not
PatrOnize Poor Baseball
Last Year
SALARY LIMIT A BAR
TO SIGNING OF STARS

The Tri-State League is loaded with
preseason gossip since Il got out that
Wilmington might take over the VIII
Transport franchise. The York Des-
patch says:
According to announcement made
within the past few days by clubs in
the Tri-state League, Altoona was the
only team in the organization that
was able to round out the 1910 sea-
son and make money. This was done
through the sale of three players for
even the league champions lost con
siderable money at the gate. The 9TH
er teams lost amounts ranging be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 each.
Altoona after all games had been
played and they had won the pennant
had a deficit Of S1,700. Then Manager
Ramsey secured enough cash through
the draft of Ingerton, Steel and Coul-
son 10 more than make up that
amount. York is said to have lost
$4,000 during the season but this too
was lessened by the disposition of
George, Girsrd. Bailey and Weaver.
The losses sustained by other clubs
are said to be as follows: Williams
port, $4,000; Johnstown, $4,000;
Reading, $4,000; Harrisburg, $4,000;
Trenton, $1,000; Lancaster. $4,000.
Caused by Tight Policy.
That is the financial condition aris-
ing from a policy of the league 10 pay
small salaries to players. Last sea-
son the patronage in the Tri-State
League was not good principally be-
cause there we're a few good teams
and several very bad ones. Not
enough money was expended to secure
players OF particular merit and keep
up the interest because the salary linn
Il was so arranged that the maximum
amount was the same for all players,
with the exception of the captain.
Fans Withdrew Support.
Now, at President Carpenters sug-
gestion, the league has retained the
St75-per-month-limit and reduced the
club limit TO $1,000, really making the
situation worse. Baseball fans on
whom the Tri-State League must rely
for support have been educated tc
good baseball and do not feel like
patronizing an inferior article. The
baseball that can now be obtained
with a majority Of the players re.
ceiving less than S175 per month
must necessarily be OF that charac
ter.
However, there is a movement or
foot now to raise the club limit e
S2100 and remove entirely the in
dividual player limit at the meeting
of the league TO be held before thu
beginning OF the season. This vii
help I'm a way to relieve the situation
, but may come too late TO secure goo,
! material as the managers cannot q
! ahead with their work on the strength
! Of probability change in the attitude
of the league. The Tri-State Leagu'
/ lost money last season and there Il
every reason TO believe that more vii
be sunk in 1911 unless something 81
done
Wilmington Still Active.
Baseball fans in Wilmington still
believe that they will secure the VIII
I Transport Tri-State franchise an,
! players by purchase. Subscription
are being raised for the purpose an,
/ Peter Cassidy. the former Tri-Stater
is working hard in the interest OF tn
scheme. Williamsport has been givel
until January 20 to decide whether o.
not the franchise will be retained anl
/ if they resolve to sell Wilmington vii
Il probably buy. Cassidy viii he m
\ probable manager. He Is well know
as a promoter Of baseball and his con
nection with the project lends crcd
ence to the rumors. Interested par
n tie viii confer with the owners o
h th baseball property IN the near fu
\ tUIe and endeavor to have certain ne
n ccssary repairs made. If these can h
K secured II is said 10 be almost Ger
tain that the Williamsport franchis
will be transferred TO the Delawar
city. Cassidy refuses 10 name tho 9th
ers interested until the matter ha
been definitely decided upon. All ar
rangements will probably be mad
soon"
Harrisburg Speaks.
The Harrlsburg telegraph has thi
TO say