Arizona republican., 1912-05-19
Origin of American League Interestingly Discussed e q by Its President; League Was Welcomed as a Liberator
(By Ban B. Johnson In Baseball
 Magazine for Junc.)


 popularity which che national game 1 could not have at'lfAed while con ductcd as a monopo'v
 The issues on which the American 1 league made and won it's fight for 1 recognition as the peer of the Ma tonal league were Ie1nly played, i closely contested games between l high class teams: a square deal for l players and patrons and better 1 ment of conditions in the minor | leagues.
 On the establishment of peace the 1 former foes became friendly rivals. 1 and have cordially co-operated for the l advancement of the game in all de- partments with so much success as l to exceed the expectations of those 1 whose interest in the peoples pastime l did not extend beyond the revenue l from games. SOrdidneSS has been subordinate to spOrtsmanship in the operation of the American league from it's inception, and it's clubs have invested their earnings in the purchase of grounds and in the erection of magnificent fireproOf stands, pretentious in ap- pearance. and equipped with con- veniences and comforts for patrons without consideration for cost
 Evefy western and each eastern city in our circut except New York has an American league park owned in fee by the home club and ornament ed with capacious structures The Hhiglanders handsome home will be completed in mid season. The Bos- ton and Detroit plants were dedicated 1 in April
 Viewed from the standpoint of re- suits. none can gainsay that the games growth in recent years has 1 been largely due to the conditions created by the graduation of the American league from a minor to a major league When the younger organization became national in scope, baseball was in a stagnant state. The National league. rent by factions and neglectful of it's patrons l and players. was in so pitifuI a plight , that it played only a passive part in the war that instilled new life into the sport. After the reorganization of baseball on a peace basis. and the adoption of the national agreement. popular enthusiasm was evidenced in minor league circles. as well as in the principal cities of the country. As q result of this healthy impetus to the game. and of competition be- tween the major leagues, the Ma tiOnaI association had a membership of forty seven leagues in 1911. many Of which are stable In some of the minor leagues of the highest classi
 ficatiOn. franchises are held at prices which were considered prohibitivc by parties contemplating the purchase of a National league club during the lat ter part of the last century.
 Organized baseball has not reached the pinnacle of success. but it has progressed to such a degree that it covers the field is fully that # is
 practically impossible for an organi- zation. not under the national agree ment to achieve success in any part
 of the country.
 An opposition league, launched as a rival to the American and NatiOrll leagues. would have to build up it's playing strength and patronage in cities provided with parks, covering an expenditure of $500,0OO or more. and represented by one or more teams
 or high class players satisfied with
 their salaries.
 Patrons of this period and the players under contract to major
 league clubs are not discontented. as
 they were when the American league
 asserted it's independence and invaded
 National league territory
 Press and public welcomed us in
 every city and ball players greeted
 us as liberatorS. We succeeded from
 the start because of the splendid SUD-
 port accorded to us by baseball en- Q thusislsts in all walks of life, who Q realized that we had mission, the Q failure of which would have dis 0 astrous effect on their favorite sport 0 That widespread sentiment was the 0 American leagues most valuable as Q set throughout the war period. Q The gross capital of the American n league in 1901, plus the resources O Q all it's clubs would not equal the n value of the 1912 holdings of severa 0 of it's individual clubs. The aggre- n gate amount expended in financing n the American league during it's strug n gle with the National league would n not suffice to equip one club up tt n the 1912 standard of either of tho n leading organizations of the country n l Moreover. promoters, although pro
 
 q cover that there is no demand for { v | third league The system undc q which the American league is operated o is not understood by the public Ou v methods vary little in theory iron , those set forth in the constitution O v every National Agreement league , We insist on the strict observance 0 v the spirit as well as of the letter 0 our laws, and absolutely require ou o . club owners to regard the welfare O - the league paramount to the inter
 ests of the individual clubs.
 Our umpires are the representative o of the league and must observe in k structions in the discharge of thei s, duties. I exercise extreme care il S. the selection of my staff and when " find d competent official l give hin
 substantial evidence of the appre
 citation of the league and of myself.
 The National commission is tn s. cement of the baseball structure. It