The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-27
CANUCKS ARE
IN MUCH DOUBT
Western Canada Fans Don't
Know Whether They
Will Have Ball

Calgary, Alta. Feb. 37.-Basebnll
in western Canada continues in Il
most unsettled condition. Already
two league meetings have been held.
and as yet nothing definite has been
accomplished. AT the first meeting.
held at Moose Jaw. it was recon-
amended that the western Canada cir
cult be split into two sections, the
winners of each division to play off
for the championship in the fall, but
Judging from developments chances of
this plan being adopted are remote.
At the second meeting held here i'm
Calgary plans We're discussed for Il
four-tcam Alberta league, composed
of Medicine Hat. Lctllbridge, Calgary
and Edmonton, which four cities. by
the way, comprised our first profess
sional league in 1907. Such a league
was looked upon with favor until the
salary limit came under discussion,
and then all hopes were blasted.
Medicine Hat and Lethbridgc, the
smaller cities. held out for Il $1,000 Il
month limit, while both Calgary and
Edmonton remained solid for the old
$1,000 limit. While no doubt a salary
smaller cities, Calgary and Edmonton
having under contract men whose
work demands a salary in accordance
With an Sl.S00 basis. could hardly on
cede the demand of the smaller cities
without the releasing of their high
priced players.
Next came an offer from the city of
Bassano, with a population of about
1900 people TO raise $4,000 for the
in the league. The Bassano people
quite readily agreed to an $1,S00 limit,
but even then Lethbridge remained
firm, and refused to tie up in a league
with such Il limit.
Two Four.CIub Leagues.
Since then Lethbridge has joined
hands with Medicine Hat, CranbrooK
and Tabcr and formed a little south
ern Alberta league, but as to whether
or @ such Il league will go through
l cannot say.
Now a new development ONE in
the form of n four-team league. Ed
monton, Calgary. Bassano and a
fourth team to be put in as a road
team. its home" games to he played
In several of the smaller northern
cities. Tho Bassano team will be
managed by Chesty Cox. while Johnny
Reid. it is rlmored, will furnish the
club.
While baseball seems n dead issue
in the b. city OF Winnipeg right now.
since the franchise is in the hands of
the league. the chances are that they
are ready to concede a great deal in
r to get into the good graces of
the league and regain their lost fran
chise. At thep resent time they are
indebted to the league for a crtain
amount of mony. and President Sar-
age of Calgary insists that before they
can do business. at the old stand they
must pay into the Golfers of the
western Canada league the sum of
$3.50. But with Moose Jaw and Re-
gina both counted. out of the running
for the coming year the chances of
Winnipeg and the western cities being
in the same league are almost out of
the question.
However, Winnipeg must have some
sort of hopes. for it is reported from
club "sent out contracts" to players
for the coming season. Who they
went to or any other news was not
given ou:. 1t is not the Winnipeg
style. About all the information Civ
en- out as preseason dope in Winni-
peg is just before the season opens,
when announcement is made tina.
winnipeg will have a ball team as
usual this year and the season will
open tomorrow with Brandon as the
opposing team"
"a DIFFICULTIES to Contend With.
People un~acQuainted with the base
us part of the coun-
try cannot imagine the many things
promoters have to contend with,
consequently all this trouble in form
ing a circuit. For three years. in or
der to give the fans a good brand Of
ball. a circuit extending from Winni-
peg to Calgary and Edmonton. a dis
lance of close to 1000 miles. has been