New-York tribune., 1912-01-17
OF BASEBALL
That Is, if Two New Outlaw
Leagues Carry Out Plans.
TO INVADE THIS DISTRICT
Lots of Money Needed, as the
Fight Is Sure To Be Long
Drawn Out.

Five big league baseball clubs, with
possibility of six, in greater New York is
the present outlook for next season. II the
plans Of the two new leagues recently
organized are carried out the metropolitan
district will be treated to such plethora
Of the national sport that the fans" will
be beside themselves. The two organiza-
tions which have been formed TO break
into the territory now occupied by the
National and American leagues are the
United States Baseball League and the
Columbian League. -,le 4.r.usr &c the pro-
motion Of some New Yor!; men, who assert
that they have unlimited capital behind
them, while the latter is the outgrowth
of an enthusiastic Chicago spirit. Both
have found their way into the public eye
within the last month.
While the circuits of the two organiza-
tions have not been completely made up
and are now in the course Of construction,
yet New York is regarded as such a gold
mine for baseball that one league already
has decided to place two clubs in this
city. The United States League will put
teams in Brooklyn and New York. These
mines, with the Giants, Yankees and Su-
perbas will bring the total in the greater
city up to five The rest Of the United
States League circuit will include Cincip-
natl, Pittsburgh. Reading, Washington and
Richmond The eighth city Of the circuit
has not been picked, but the choice lies
between Cleveland and Baltimore.
The promoters of the league have an
option on grounds for park in The Bronx,
and consider that they have a million per-
sons in that locality TO draw from. The
grounds Of the Brooklyn club will natural
~ be on Long Island, where the prospects
are thought to be equally bright. II Cleve-
land is chosen as the eighth city of the
circuit, the United States League will COM
pete with the major leagues in every city
except Reading and Richmond. The or
ganization will undoubtedly find that 1t
will have no small fight on its hands
The Columbian League is largely West
ern affair, but there is possibility OF New
York being included in the circuit, and IL
so the clubs of the greater city will be
brought up TO six. The American League
and the American Association will be the
organizations to suffer the most If the
Columbian League gets good start.
third club for St. Louis and Chicago Is
League be affected The other four cities
already chosen for the circuit are Detroit,
of the American League, and Kansas City,
Milwaukee and Louisville, Of the American
Association. The cities under consideration
include Cleveland Columbus, Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Peoria, Mime
apolis and ST Paul Clubs are sure TO be
placed in two Of these cities, as applica-
tions have been received.
There is likely to be some competition
between the two outlaw leagues aside from
the fight they will have with organized
baseball. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleve-
land are looked upon with favor by the
United States League, while, at the same
time, these cities are considered promising
fields for the Columbian League II will
be hard enough for one alone TO get a
foothold in these cities, but II both leagues
place clubs in the favored localities, the re.
| suits are likely to be disastrous
William A. Whitman is the president Of
the United States League and is now In
the West looking over the proposed terri
tory Of the new organization. lie will re-
turn to New York In the near future and
meeting of the league will be held at
| the Hotel Imperial on Friday or Saturday.
John r. Powers the first president Of the
| Wisconsin-Illinois League, is the president
Of the Columbian League. The other Of
hcers have not been chosen, but further or
ganization will be effected at a meeting cf
! the owners in Chicago within the next two
weeks
No war with organized baseball is
wanted If the statements issued by the
presidents of the two new leagues can he
taken at their face value but. at the same
time 1t is hard to see how there can be
anything else but war. The two outlaw
leagues undoubtedly will supply a haven
for dissatisfied players OF organized base
ball, but Whitman and Powers have de-
clared that no fabulous salaries will be
offered to lure the stars of the major
leagues. 1t is difficult to see where the
players are coming from TO supply the de-
mand Organized baseball covers the
country pretty thoroughly. and every play
or who shows the slightest sign Of being
Of major league caHbre is snapped up
quickly. II is generally believed that both
leagues will partake largely Of semi
professional character. 1t will take lot
Of money TO keep any stars developed in
these ranks from joining the big leagues.
The powers that be In organized base
bah do not seem to be particularly excited
over the prospect Of competition a good
sized war fund has been placed in the
Golfers for use in an emergency, and 1t will
take thousands Of dollars TO carry on the
fight The invaders say they have lot Of
money and are confident Of success. The
results will undoubtedly be watched with
interest