The Washington times., 1914-06-22
ORGANIZED BASEBALL IS
ALIVE TO PERILS FROM
OUTLAW LEAGUE CHIEFS
Clark Griffith Well Aware of Dangers Facing Him, But Will
Probably Not Lose Single PIayer-Jim Shaw Gets Those
silk Socks for Smashing Out Home Rum
By THOMAS KIRBY.

| baseball for nearly a quarter of a CEN
tury, Hugh S. Fullerton showsrremark-
able candor in the following article
which he has just written:
The time has come to speak few
plain words about baseball, for the
information of lovers of the game. who
are rapidly cooling in their love, and
to certain players, owners. and pro-
moters.
"The warning elements do not seem
to realize that they are killing baseball
as a sport. as well as an amusement
enterprise. The public is getting dis
gusted with all Of them, and more espe-
cially with players. The latest Federal
League move Is hut a new blow to the
game. Ii will take the game FIVE years
to get hack 20 where II was a year ago,
If 1t ever does. This applies to the ma
Jor leagues. 1t is doubtful whether the
harm done to the minor leagues ever
can be repaired.
THE Federal League is in bad tacti-
cal position. 1t shot its bolt early in
the season. The fans, who welcomed
the new league, focked to its parks
and saw mediocre and badly balanced
clubs.
The brand of baseball served was
not up to standard of MAJOR league
baseball. They Quit going Attendance
fell off. They had damaged the older
leagues without helping themselves
The promoters were in SO deep theS
could not quit. Either they had to
force their way into organized ball as
an equal major league or break up one
of the existing leagues.
All over the country the minor
leagues were crying for protection-and
not getting it The National League was
badly crippled. The American League
seemed intent upon a watchful waiting
policy. standing ready to intervene.
II helped organize the Federal
League The promoters came to me
for my opinion as to the success of
the venture. 1 told them there We're
two ways-one to raise g. S5,000, 90 war
fund and raid the old leagues quickly;
the other to start.an Independent league.
worry along two years, develop its own
players and grow into major league
The original promoters chose the
second plan. They were driven out.
and a new element came into control
and changed the policy. Instead of
adopting the raiding policy they chose
a halfway one.
"At the start they did not know the
business. Had they intended to spend
half the money they have spent, CT
have grabbed 200major league players
before the defense could have organ
lied.
"The Feds are now in this position:
They must get great stars to renew
interest in their organization. They
have built up a fair following in sew
eral cities. but not enough to pay.
They need great players-and they
are after them-Johnson, Cobb. Chase,
more than a dozen others have gone or
agreed to go to the Feds. More than
forty star players are bound by writteg
agreements to join the new league
when their contracts permit.
The latest idea is to have the play
ers serve ten-day notices upon their
employers. It's a poor rule that won't
work both ways. and II the courts sCs-
tain the owners right to release play
ers on ten days notice, why not the
other way round? They are doing IT,
and il will be fought in the court.
While the whole sphere OF organized
baseball is fairly boiling over With
Federal League talk. Detroit is singu-
larly fortunate in not being bothered.
Thus far. Willett is the only man the
Tigers have lost. and there appears to
be no particular regrets here over his
departure
Bill Coughlin. the former Washing
ton captain. who is now managing
Scranton. is spending A few days in
these parts in pursuit for young play
ers. He opines that II Jennings had
another dependable pitcher there would
be nothing to the American League race
except Detroit.