Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-26
naer Pitchers Do High Grade Wor-Warner May Leave Carlisle
FEDERALS BEGIN TO LOOK
LIKE A HOPELESS VENTURE
Indifferent Play of Inferior Grade Causing Fans to
Filter Back to Their Old Loves-Aged Former
Stars Falling by Waysde.

American league players Of worth soon
were tied up for from three to five years
in such a manner that they could not
hearken to the wiles Of the revolutionary
faction. But the two big minor leagues
were in no position take similar action
primarily. because they had no power so
to do. In organized base ball the great
has the power Of draft upon the small.
Conflicts Didn't Hurt.
From the first the major league cities
with which the Federal League conflicts
had little occasion for worry. Whatever
apprehension had been felt was cleared
away very soon by force of circum-
stances. A marked reversal of form on
the part of major league clubs repealed
the invasion quickly in most of the COW
eted big cities. Both the st. Louis Browns
and the st. Louis Cardinals. habitual tall
enders for years. braced since last year.
Miner Browns st. Louis Federals there
by were forced TO buck two old establish
ed major league clubs which instantly
sprang right back into the hearts Of the
fans who had cursed them while wei
coming the new league in the spring
time. The Pirates got away with rush
in the National League and soon made
the Smoky city forget all about its new
tailend representative. The Brooklyn
Feds were away SO long before the home
opening and played such Indifferent ball
forgotten when they finally did arrive.
Chicago, as stated, was the one great ex-
ception. But no league can thrive on one
city, especially when it embraces such
an area as the independent circuit.
Newspaper men who accompanied the
western teams of the Federal League to
Washington Park assert that there is
little interest outside of Chicago in the
western wing. Indianapolis and Kansas
City have been frosts. 1t is said. The best
crowd seen in Kansas City was some
thing over 5000. The average dali at
tendances have been less than one-tenth
of this number. These scribes declare that
the American Association is retaining
steadily those fans who at first were in
clined to lend helping hand to the new
venture.
The hackers Of the Brooklyn club have
displayed the most lavish policy toward
securing players Of real worth. But so
far they have been unsuccessful Neither
Brooklyn nor any other Federal League
club that has appeared at Washington
Park begins to measure up to major
league caltber. Wherefore so long as
the three major league clubs of Greater
New York continue in the fight of the two
pig leagues or to display better base ball
than can be seen at the Ward plant
people will show the established clubs
the preference. Furthermore, the people
OF no city are likely to be hoodwinked
into paying top prices for a cheaper
grade of entertainment.
The Federal League has advertised
itself as Of major league caliber. and in
many cities this fact has acted as a
boomerang already. Especially has it
been SO in such cities as Kansas City,
Indianapolis, Baltimore and Buffalo. The
fast minor league clubs of such cities
furnish brand Of the game only slight
ly inferior to that seen in the big show,
but at considerably reduced prices. Their
Federal rivals-in many instances lack
ing the same redeeming Eraces-are
forced to try to sell their wares at ad-
vanced prices. 1t has been reported that
only ninety-two paid to see a Federal
game in Pittsburgh last week, in spite of
the fact that the weather was ideal for
the national pastime.