The Hattiesburg news., 1912-01-11
This CITY PUTS
UP $3.50 FORFEIT
FOR BASE BALL
THIS CITY QUALITIES FOR EN-,
TRANCE TO COTTON STATES
LEAGUE.
PRESIDENT LEWIS HERE
Considerable Enthusiasm Aroused and
Local Association Elects Officers
For the Coming season-Most Sue
cessfui Year in History Looked For.

The last remnant of doubt as to
whether Hattiesburg will have league
baseball the coming season or not
was disposed of yesterday. when the
forfeit money, $3.50, was placed with
President Arthur Lewis, of the Cot
ton States league, who spent the day
in the city and incidentally effervesced
considerable enthusiasm which was
quickly absorbed by local fans.
A meeting of Number of the lead
ing baseball enthusiasts of the city
was called in the Hattiesburg Trust
and Banking Company when sufficient
assurances of support were received
to put "old doubt" on the bench for
the balance of the season, and pass
the burden of responsibility up to
some of the weaker-kneed sisters who
have shown a disposition to hesitate.
But with Hattiesburg in strong It
is thought the other towns that look
this way for guidance will spruce up
now and come across with the re-
quisite amount of kale to put them tn
good standing for another season and
entitled to all the privileges and
emoluments such action begets. with
Hattiesburg 'in" there seems to be
no doubt as to the future of the league
as Greenwood and jackson have both
put up the forfeit money, leaving
Vicksburg, Meridian and Laurel to
hear from. vicksburg will hold
meeting today to raise the money and
assurances have been given Mr.. Lewis
that the hillbillies viii be at the bat.
Meridian win hold its meeting this
week and it is almost a certainty the
biggest town in the league. both in
population and -'ante-season dope."
will stick. President Lewis will be in
Laurel today when that hustling lit
tie city will be given an opportunity
to get in mighty cheap. Laurel will be
given Yazoo's franchise and player
rights If wanted. provided it can raise
the two-ffty, and there is lots of
money in that town. It will be a big
help to Hattiesburg IL Laurel gets In:
expenses will be reduced and interest
increased. which should altogether
make for better sport.
At yesterdays melting officers of
the local associatio were elected for
the coming season. d. Emmett Nc
Innis was reelected president. Fl. L.
Eckles was elected secretary to sue
ceed P. c. Edmiston. who declined
reelection to the position he has filed
so satisfactorily in the pest. and ]. s.
Love was reelected treasurer. Mr..
Eckles, the new secretary win prove
a worthy successor to Mr.. Edmiston, IN
the position that has more to do with
the success of the game than any 9TH
er, and his selection for the place Is
wise one.
President Arthur Lewis deserves
much credit for the way he has work
ed for the league in the face of many
difficulties. chief of which has been
the lack of enthusiasm manifested
over the circuit. He has been on the
job since his election and his deter
mination that the league should be
held together is largely responsible
for the perfecting of the organization
which now seems assured beyond
question, Mr.. Lewis is popular all
over the circuit and his administers
tion promises to be the most satss
factory and successful OF any given
the league. He is determined that
the rules laid down by the league Of
ficials shall be strictly lived up to n
every respect. and that he WIN moi
show any pavtiality to any particula,
club In the league. but win work foI
the good Of the game, cssan BAN. fan
umpiring and the general elevating d
the sport at AL times. This detsrmin
alton and his knowledge Of the In
and outs Of the game acquired BY I,
lifelong devotion to the pasttime wiI
no doubt make tor success and pIaoI
the League on sounder footing -
at any time IN its history