El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-05-16

HE birth Of the American league
marked the beginning Of the
most important era in the an
nails OF baseball and its eXpan-
sion. at the cost OF a conflict with the
National league was the forerunQer to
a period OF popularity which the ma
tiouaI game could not have attained
while conducted as a monopoly
The issues on which the American
league made and won its fight for rec
ignition 6 the peer OF the National
league were clearly played closely con-
tested games between nigh class teams,
q square deal for players and patrons
and a betterment Of conditions in the
minor leagues.
On the establishment OF peace the for
u1er foes became friendly rivals ana
have cordially cooperated for the ad-
vancement Of the game in all depart
ments with so much success rs TO eX-
coed the expectations Of those whose
interest In the peoples pastlme did not
extend beyond the revenue from games
Sordidness has been subordinate to
craftsmanship in the operation OF the
American league from its inception, and
Its clubs have invested their earnings
IN the purchase Of grounds ana in the
erection OF magnificent fireprOOf
stands. pretentiOus in appearance and
equipped with ConTeniences and com
forts for patrons without considera-
ton for cost
Every western anJ eastern city in
our circuit except New YORK mas an
American league park owned IN Zee BY
the home club and ornamenteo with
capacious structures The Highland
Prs' handsome none viii be completed
in midseason- The Boston and Detroit
plants were dedicated IN April
The Games Growth.
viewed from the standpoint Of re-
suits. none can gainsay that the same 8
growth in recent years has been large
" due TO the conditions created by the
graduation Of the American league
from a minor TO a major league. When
the younger organization became ma.
tional in scope, baseball was IN a
staEnanC state The national league
rent by factions and neglectIul or It's
patrons and players, was in so pititul
. plight that IL played only passive
part in the war that lnstllled new
life into the sport After the reOrgan-
ia ton OF baseball on peace Daslss
and the adoption Of the National agree
ment, popular enthusiasm was eFl-
denced in minor league circles. as well
as in the principal cities Of the coun-
Try AS q result OF this healthy impetus
TO the game, and Of competition be
tween the major leagues, the National
association had a membership Of ~
leagues in 1911 many Of which are
stable. In some OF the minor leagues
OF the highest classification fran
chises are held at prices which were
considered prohihitive by parties con-
templatiuE the purchase Of a National
league club during the latter part Of
the last century
The Pinnacle of Success.
Organized baseball has not reached
the pinnacle Of success, but i has pro-
eressed TO such a degree that it covers
the field so>fully that 1t is practically
impossible for an organization, not
under the National agreement, TO
achieve success in any part Of the
An opposition league, launched
as rival to the American and Ma
fionaI leagues. would have-to build up
its playing strength and patronage in
expenditure OF 100000 or more. and
represented by one OF more teams or
high class players satisfied with their
salaries.