South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-17
OPTION HELD ON
THREE ILEAGUE
BALL FRANCHISE
South Bend Has Chance to Get
Berth in Class B 0rganiza-
tiOn-Hahn Has Privilege
For Ten Days.

While South Bend has been giving
the brilliant work Of the Notre Dame,
high school and local Independent
football teams sole attention. baseball
men have been laboring and there is
now an opportunity awaiting any man
interested in revival OF the game here
10 help South Bend into a berth IN
the Three 1 league.
This Is the word given out by George
Hahn. who has been directly assocLat-
ed with local baseball interests since
1912. Mr.. Hahn announced last night
he held ten days option on a Three
/ league franchise and players, and
anyone who wishes to aid promote
movement to bring South Bend into
~ league can do so by communicating
with him.
Has First Division Club.
Mr.. Hahn refused 10 divulge in what
city the club was located. but said it
was represented by a first division
team last year. lie secured the op-
ton several days ago and If interest
warrants It, will secure an extension
OF the option.
That South Bend will have league
baseball next year is regarded as a
fOregone conclusion in baseball cir
cles, as fans are again longing 10 get
into organized ranks. That the Three
I proposition will be regarded serious
pected at the conclusion OF the foot
ball season, il not before. The men
who were connected with the 1912
Central league club are among those
backing the present movement and
with the experience OF that year they
think they can conduct a club on
reasonably profitable basis, or at least
maintain first class nine in the field.
Players Included In Deal.
IN ha raf a6 RI.
build up an entirely new team. Ac-
cording TO the information given out
by Hahn. this handicap would not be
present If the Three L league franchise
IS purchased, as the players are in
cluded in the negotiations. The Three
/ league is in Class 3 and plays a
brand Of ball practically as good as
the Central from the spectators
standpoint. The competition is equal
~ as keen and the lower salary limit
would minimize the general expense
which made a berth in the Central
almost a luxury unless exceptional
good fortune was met.
Independent and city baseball last
year proved a poor substitute for
league baseball. The fans thought
they would like it until they got it.
The nthey began to yearn for the re-
turn of the old days-not necessarily
a place in the Central league, but in
some organization under protection.
Looks Good to Players.
Most of the veterans who have
made South Bend their home for years
are stall here and would greet the re-
sumption OF membership in organized
ball with JOY. Although they are
connected with outside clubs, South
Bend has been the headquarters Of
Central league baseball so long the
sudden loss OF baseball connections
has detracted much of the pleasure
from Information in this city. Among
those old favOrites who are wlntering
here as usual are Ed Smith, Grand
Rapids owner and manager; Harry
Arndt fOrer major Lacquer, Green
stocking manager and last year man
ager of the LUddingtOn, Michigan
state league club: Eddie wheeler,
leader of the South Bend 1910 Central
league champions; Ben KOehler, Buck
Corners Snips Schafer, Goat Ander-
son. another Central league leader
and ex-Green star; Joe Claffey and
Heine Tieman.
Ben Goes Up.
Ben Koehier was with Grand Rap
ids until the latter part of the season
until his brilliant play brought him
back into Class "A. Buck Corners
was in the WI league last season.
being traded last spring by the Jack
son Southern Michigan league club.
Schafer pitched for the Benton Har-
Dor Independents last year. Claftey
started in the Eastern association but
returned to the WI. league. Hene
played Independent ball for while
last wear. spent several weeks with
Arndt at Luddington. Mich. and re-
turned TO pass the remainder OF the
season in comfort in South Bend
A baseball arm requires care in win
ter time as well as in the summer as
Harry Arndt knows by an experience
of last week Harry started work in
a local factory using drill which de-
manded strenuous exercise or his right
arm. Feathers has been favOring
that extremity for several years and
after a weeks grind at the dril II
NC 80, core no could not raise his arm.