The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-15

hackers OF COLUMBIAN
LEAGUE ARE ENTERING
ONLY FIELD AVAILABLE
Are Practically Attempting To
Fill What Demand There Is
For Second Class Ball.
NOBODY is NOW KICKING.
If There Is Room for Another
Circuit Public Is Willing
TO Be Shown.
NOBODY is NOW KICKING.
BY RALPH |. YoNksR.

II Is the general opinion among fol-
lowers OF baseball that outlaw leagues
attempting TO compete with the majors
and the higher classes OF minors stand
little show OF success. The hackers OF
the newly organized Columbian league,
which was launched at Chicago, sat
urday, with prospects of teams at De-
troit, Chicago, Kansas City, Milwau-
kee, ST. Louis and Louisville, have the
right idea about the only way possible
10 make good. They will not compete
with the majors
In announcing that they do not in
tend to make war upon the old organ
izations and that they do not intend
10 pay enormous salaries for players,
but will content themselves with what
they can get at reasonable prices, they
lave practically taken the stand that
they will offer only second-class ball
Again, they will play on dates not
taken by the big teams. In other words
they do not intend TO compete with
the major clubs, but will enter held
which is now occupied in the cities
named by semi-pro teams. Whether
there Is money enough in this field TO
pay the travelling expenses OF teams
taking long jumps is a question thai
only experience can decide definitely,
The promoter OF the Detroit club, A.
John Roesink. has managed semi-pro
teams in this city for some time, hold
ing the games az Mack park. On Sun.
days he has had quite a following and
evidently has made some money, but
ne has not affected the attendance at
Bennett Park.
In reality, aside from the high
sounding name OF the league and the
long distances teams will have to trav-
el. there does not seem TO be much
sflifference between the minor teams
hat are engaged each summer in the
; towns OF the new league and those
Of the new organization. They will
cover the same field with some adj
. vance, perhaps in the class OF players.
As in the theater line there may be
l room for lower priced attractions in
the same city with the high-classed
places, and, II there is. the competi-
zion loving American people viii be
perfectly willing TO show. However,
the hero-worshipping fandom would
rather see Cobb and Baker have run
In at third from the right field bleach
crs at two bits throw than see sec
ond raters from behind the plate at
fifteen cents.
Nobody has any kick on the new
league Its hackers have just as much
right to try out their ideas at their
own expense as the founders of the
American league did, and there are
doubtless many who would hail with
elee any little disturbance they may
chance to kick up for the present base
I hall organization OF the country.
The award OF Pitcher Salmon to the
Mackmen by the National Commission
taffer- ne had been claimed by the Car
flinalss is q forecastsof what may be
common In, CLASSIC leagues as result
OF the new provision which makes an
afIldavit necessary with the signing OF
each contract before II can be hled
with Secretary Farrell.
Salmon was a school boy player
whom, Bresnahan or the st. Louis Ma
tons. thought he had clamped by y
verbal agreement TO play with him
after his term at school had expired
In the meantime Connie Mack signed
the boy. Now he Is awarded TO the
Athletics In spite OF Bresnahan's pro-
rests
Hitherto In minor leagues It has
been possible to secure accepted
terms over players signature,
which practically bound him to the
club getting his autograph. but which
was not baseball contract that would
disbar him from playing amateur ball.
IL could be arranged to keep the play
er's signing under the hat until the
college season was over, but in case
there was contest the FIRST agree
ment stood.
Now the player cannot sign unless
he wishes Il TO be made public through
an affidavit. The managers can get
all kinds OF verbal or even written
promises, hut they will not hold In
baseball unless the contract Is proper
~ fled, as was the case with Pitcher
Salmon.
Buffalo is throwing a AT or two be-
cause II is afraid that II is going to
lose some Of the Detroit players which
+ "a thinks Il has coming. Here Is what
one Buffalo writer says about Il:
The fact that Manager Stallings
has had conference with Manager
Callahan. OF the Chicago White Sox
and that he Is due to have a further
talk with President Navin, OF Detroit
Eas turned the eyes OF the Buffalo
fans westward Manager Stallings
had the promise OF several good play
ers from Detroit last year. but Man
nger Jennings was unable TO gel
waivers on all Of them, and the Buf
ialo inheld was weak all season az
result. President Navin, OF Detroit
since his purchase OF the Providence
international league team, (witf
Hugh Jennings, Ty Cobb and others)
q naturally anxious TO turn all hii
snrplus material over TO the Provi
dence team, and would do so at once
but for a previous agreement with tn,
nnffalo management In the confer
tnce between Stallings and Navin
the matter viii undoubtedly be fxe,
ND. 30 that Buffalo will get some o
the players, and Providence. IN.
others -Chick" Lathers, the infeld
. cr. Del" Drake, Of the outfield. thir,
bmeman Moriarty. Big" Ed LATTE
me leading pitcher OF the Interns
iIonaI league two years ago. and out
fielder .DaYy' Jones. are the Tiger
E,afed for release. Providence want
them al. but Buffalo has coBtrac
euh Detroit for surplus players an
Manager stallings may insIst on IL
..|fnr. ananf.