The Washington times., 1912-02-17
OUTLAW LEAGUERS
DOOMED TOTAL,
Not Enough Good Players for Two Big Organizations
Now and Third Circuit Faces Famine in Players Cap
able of Making Fight for Supremacy.
By SENATOR"

Though Washington is included in the
new United States League, few local
fans are paying much attention to 1t.
They fail to see where High McKinnon
gets off as a mogul when he hasn't
signed up even one player Baseball
isn't played by the magnates.
This league, the United States" says
McKinnon, lis a major league, no mat
ter who says anything to the contrary.
We're going TO build a fine park here
In Washington and before Labor Day
will be takiug fans away from the
american League. OF course, the first
Year won't show much. Wen have TO
deyelop players, just as the majors do,
States League is a major league and in
the field to stay"
Mckinnon's weakness is ignorance OF
nasenaH conditions. There are not
major leagues, let alone a third. If all
the real stars were put into one league,
a " would be a wonderful battle for the
League carried twelve clubs, some of
! Them were always tailenders from the
START or the season. There weren't
bSnousn stars Tor even twelve clubs. Yet
mere comes man claiming to have a
thiro major league in hand.
Fought the National.
When the American League got under
I
uonal League tooth and nail. Dark
days came, too, when it looked as II the
battle was TO end in defeat Then such
men as Charlie Somers dumped in
9Sdles 9Sd a,,ct Of gold. and the tide turned
rent with internal dissensions, felt the
| strain and quit. Another week. SO
Daseball men say who ought to know.
ana the National League would have
| driven the American to the wall
| The new outlaws must fight both ma
! jor. organizations from the start. In ad-
| dition they will be lacking the support
ot the minors, something given gladly
! TO the American League ten years ago.
When the Columbian and United States
| Leagues begin to recruit their clubs
! 'hey Will fnd themselves very much up
! against II.
! Today the major leagues are securing
! the country in search OF young players.
! they are paying thousands of dollars to
| scouts and more thousands to bush
| league clubs for rockies who seldom
| make good. They just can't get enough
real good players. II this is the case
ana few doubt it-where will the out
laws ft into the picture?
None Will Consider.
Under present conditions no player in
organized baseball, unless he 10 abso-
lutely lacking in balance, Will consider
for moment seriously the idea of
jumping into the outlaws. He will be
blacklisted forever, and for what? No
large salaries are being offered by either
the United states or Columbian
Leagues. Harry Steinfeldt turned down
a Columbian League contract because
1t called for half what he could get in
the New York State League.
| II this Is true, and there is little
cause for. doubt, the outlaws are not
offering the golden plums dangled be-
fore the eyes OF the stars by Ban John
sons agents in 1902. Without these
V,1, Inaf yrrKn
out big league stars the outlaws can
not hope to be considered major
leagues. Competing with major league
teams in major league chies they will
fall by the wayside faster than can be
described.
Running an outlaw league on the prin-
ciple Of stock company is ali right II
you can get buyers for your stock It's
take large blocks than to take fans
with dollar throw, such as the plan
now is of Hugh McKinnon, You'l sell
been said that McKinnon will offer his
. stock TO local people, Teserving the con-
l trolling interest. 1t is unlikely, in that
, all for the everyday fan is a cautious
individual with his money. He wants
to be shown.
Wants to Be Shown.
Washington wants to he shown. II
wants 10 be shown real ball park. II
= has one of the best in the country right
, now on Florida avenue II wants to bt
, shown bette~ ball team than it has
, now in the American League, though
] this wouldn't be a difficult puzzle u
I solve, save by the outlaws 1t want:
] better attractions than the Philadelphia
E Athletics. considered the best team II
the game; the Detroit Tigers, the big
: eest drawing card of them all; the Bos
: ton Red SoX. touted as the coming
: champions.
I 1t wants TO be shown players as gooc
as Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Chief
Bender. Eddie Collins, Larry Laioie
big Ed Walsh. Russell Ford, Jacl