Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1912-05-03
EDWARD M'ILRAITH, SECRETARY
OF PICKETTs, DISCUSSES THE
BASEBALL SITUATION,

Grand Forks, N. D., april In dis
cussing the Grand Forks and North Da,
kota baseball situation, Edward Nell.
raith, secretary of the Picketts assoc,
iation, yesterday said: ...
"What is wrong with the baseball
teams in northern North Dakota9 One
in touch with the baseball situation
this year cannot but notice the lack of
strong and numerous baseball teams in
the northern part of this state. On the
other hand the southern part of the
state and northern Minnesota never
had stronger or more numerous teams.
Let US review as a criterion of our DO
sition.
IA few years ago Minot had win
ming aggregation. After one season,
rumor whispered that Minot had lost
$4,000 on the venture. She never
blossomed again. Two years ago and
last year, Grafton, Devils Lake, Anvil
la, McCanna, Park River, Cavalier,
Clyde, Crystal, Crosby, Mintoj Rugby
and Inkster all had fast ball teams.
This year we look in vain for records
of their games. Last week Ray Austin
Of Devils Lake was interviewed on
baseball prospects in that city. He
slowly shook his head, and, with sort
Of funeral air, stated that Devils Lake
had put all her surplus money in base
ball last year. The tone indicated that
this year Devils Lake must recuperate.
Many in Southern Part.
"On tho other hand, southern North
Dakota is very productive of fast ball
teams this year. Fargo, jamestown
and Valley City have the strongest
teams in their history. Fargo has three
strong professional teams besides the
league team. The strongest team in
Fargo is coming here next Sunday to
play the Picketts. A recent commune
cation from Earl Wheeler, the secre-
tary is to the effect that this is the
strongest aggregation that has repre-
sented Fargo for some time.' Their
schedule is strong index of this
teams strength. They have contract
ed to play Beach, Bismarck, James
town, Valley City, N. D., Alexandra,
st. Cloud, Long Prairie, Little Falls and
Brainard, MINI. Thus, if rumor is any
reliable criterion, the Picketts are due
for twaloping.'
"The schedule of the Picketts shows
that this year they are turning more
than ever in Minnesota for baseball
games. Fosston, Thief River Falls,
Red Lake Falls and Moorehead have
already been scheduled and others are
contemplated. In North Dakota, out.
side of Fargo, only Petersburg and Con.
way have been booked.
Towns Lack Material.
"The reason for this decline in base.
ball activity in this part of the state
are not far to seek. I think that one
of the strongest reasons is the lack of
local material in the towns. This fact
necessitates a securing Of whole team
of hired players. This in itself is very
expensive and after one season compels
an abandonment of the pleasure. Again
the towns in this part of the state are
small and far apart. This makes prof.
liable games hard to secure. So that
everything in this part of the state
seems to point in favor of great ex.
penditure and very little returns. We
are not able to state why the southern
part of the state should continually
support strong teams, due to our lack
of familiarity with conditions. Never.
theless, it seems to be the TRUTH