The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-26
FIRST DOUBLE BILL
OF THE YEAR TO-DAY
Montreal Plays Two Games in
Newark This Afternoon by
Permission Of Barrow.
MUST KEEP SLATE CLEAN
Tri-League Series Plan Is Up
Again-McGraw for Late
Opening Of Season.
MUST KEEP SLATE CLEAN

the hrst doubleheader Of the season
in organized baseball will be seen this
afternoon at Newark. The bargain day
is the result of yesterdays postponement
OF the opening attraction against Sammy
LichtenIeIn's Montreal club. Permission
for an extra bill this early in the season
was granted by President Ed Barrow at
the request OF Charles ii. Ebbets, Jr
1T always has been our policy" said
Mr.. barrow In explaining his action, ITO
have the postponements worked off as
speedily as possible. We play l5& games
IN fve months and five days. That leaves
US practically no open dates such as the
major leagues enjoy because OF longer
schedule period.
Because of the backward spring and
the possibility OF later interference through
bad weather ! think II advisable to keep
the slate as clear as possible AS 1t is
We have to book some doubleheaders in
Me original draft to get through on
schedule time"
Mr.. Barrow resented spiri,edly an in
situation that his policy for unusually
early douoleheaders might have originated
with a view OF escaping later conflict ~
cities which vie with the Federal League
FOR patronage. OF course Newark Is free
from such an allegation.
President Barrow admitted yesterday
that an effort had been made TO revive
the plan to hold post season champion
ship for the Class AA. leagues. This would
call into competition the pennant winners
or the International League, the American
Association and the Pacific Coast League
Barrow IL dead set against the project
for this year and ia tho face of his oppo-
sition there is no chance Of Tom Chlving-
ton carrying out his pet scheme just yet
E moi - I,ft
1915 the plan may get trial.
Under present conditions" said Bar
row yesterday. the railways would get
all the money. We would have 10 gamble
too heavily against the weather Of the
fall. But II might not be "A bad idea a
year later. The winner of the series be-
tween the International and American
/ Association could travel direct TO the
coast and wait for the close OF the Pacific
Coast League championship race. with
/ the big exposition in prospect there the
financial risk should not be so great.
Personally ! would not oppose such a
| three cornered series II l believed public
interest justified a trial. But the series
| OF the past between big minor leagues have
not been popular with the general public.
Perhaps this Ii because the country has
come TO look upon the worlds series as
the great classic Of the season Anyhow
baseball enthusiasts would sooner stand
around bulletin boards for their world
series results than TO watch the struggles
OF minor league champions II might be
different with the exposition crowds on
the coast. The promoters OF the fair in
tend to make great play on baseball
and they are reasonably sure OF pretty
good baseball weather there"
Manager McGraw OF tho Giants will
champion Charles II. Ebbets In his Hght
for later opening OF the National League
championship next year
Il have fought for I'VE years against
startling hostilities In md-Aprn," said the
leader OF the Giants yesterday afternoon
GO back hve years." he continued
and YOU will ind an average OF five
| days lost out OF the first ten. This is
very disastrous to the good OF the game
In more ways than one. To begin with
1t 10 hardship on the players, II they
are In good condition on their return from,
the South a few days OF idleness will put
them back almost where they started 7,
is an imposition on the fans who suppor,
a club TO ask them TO sit through two
hours Of chill winds and raw weather
ITO my mind every game played in the
early spring when weather conditions are
not right for fast baseball In a knock on
the national pastime Those who attend
and who escape heavy colds or something
worse will not como out again for weeks
1t takes them about month to thaw
out II the major Leagues would open
ten days or two weeks later they would
be reasonably sure OF fair baseball
weather all the way. Fandom, I am sure
would be pleased to wait"
McGraw looks with disfavor also upon
the general practice of baseballing the
people to death before the opening OF the
season.
IAN the snap and zest OF the old time
official opening has been destroyed" said
he. Through wholesale exhibitions OF
major league clubs In tnterieague series
1t certainly has destroyed the early sea
son patronage Of such cities as Philadei.
phia and st. Louis. where the clubs have
been accustomed to play both spring and
fall ! think 1t well enough for the re-
spective leagues to tune up In practlc.
games among themselves and In som,
cases for them to play ante season series
But the practice has become by far too
general Most OF the trouble has oriEi
mated with grasping club owners who In
sist on going through with tho exhlbi
tions whether or not the weather war
rants action
In tanning bce yesterday afternoon
McGraw furnished n hns Illustration o
tho growth OF baseball within the mas
decade or two.
81 should have been. = ms IN. - ,,y ~