South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-06
SOUTH BEND HAS
CHANCE To HAVE
TEAM THIS YEAR
Pres. Frank of Southern MiChi-
gan Says Franchise Will be
Awarded This City if Toledo
Deal Falls Through.

Baseball in South Bend for the
summer Of 1914 is a certainty If the
city is willing to enter the league"
This statement was made to the
News-Times last night by Pres. James
Frank Of the Southern Michigan
league. after his return from a con-
ference with Noah IT. Swayne. owner
OF the bali park in Toledo. This, ac-
cording to Frank, OVercOmes the last
obstacle i'm the path of this city's en-
trance 10 the = NJ. league. All that is
now needed Is a team and IL Is said
that there are more than a few who
are willing 20 take up the building Of
a strong playing machine here.
Swayne gave him a far more rea-
sonable price than he expected, says
Frank, and he clinched the matter
by bringing an option on the grounds
back 20 Jackson. He will settle the
entire matter today with a trip TO the
Ohio city, in which he will arrange
contracts with the railroad companies
for service during home dates, and
other minor details
Can Get Backing.
Just who will take over the man
agement of the nine at Toledo or who
the parties are that will finance the
movement there he will not at pres
ent state. II is said, however, both
by Frank and in dispatches from To-
iedO that there will be no difficulty
in forming a competent machine
there. 1t is also a settled matter that
the directors of the Southern Michi-
gan league have any number Of men
and companies who are eager to back
any baseball team which will hail
from Toledo.
Frank. said last night that South
Bend would be asked 90 enter the
league regardless of how the Toledo
proposition ended. According TO him,
rhe league directors would rather have
South Bend on its roster than Flint,
the managers of which team are said
to be rather Independent Of the laws
of the league. There was trouble IN
that camp last year. and when the
directors of the league, after the fail
ure Of the local men to settle ii, en-
deavOred to straighten matters out,
the Flint officials are said TO have got
huffy and refused to obey the man
dates of the league.
Two local men are ready at any
time TO take over the responsibility of
raising ball team. They are anxious
for matters 10 come to head so that
they may know when to start i'm
pTOVements needed at SpringbroOk
park Several hundred dollars will
be required and the local men do not
wish 10 use the money unless there is
good reason.
south Bend Can Stick.
After this season. if this city wishes
TO remain in the ranks of the league.
Frank says il is probable that they
will be given the Adrian franchise.
Adrian vii, stay in the league this
season. as baseball enthusiasm is very
high there at present, and indications
point 10 a successful season. The
towns population is the bone of con-
tentiOn, however. 1t has population
of only $4,000, and the league direc-
tors are after larger cities.
The entrance of South Bend and
Toledo into the league will bring il
to Glass Il rank. With the addition
of the Ohio city. the population re-
quired for that rank Will be swelled
far over the needed 900. 600. Higher
salaries will result, and fans Will be
guaranteed a class of baseball that is
the cream Of the minor leagues. Good
talent will doubtless be attracted by
the juicy contracts that managers
will be enabled to offer.
The question of getting ball players
should not be such a huge task as a
iudicious outlay of coin will bring
several stars To the city. There is al
WAYS surplus of playing material
about this time OF the year. The big
leagues will be turning loose many OF
their recruits and as the managers
are anxious TO place the lads where
they will have a chance of learning
new. pointers. South Bend, with good
manager at the head of the game
here. should be able 10 land several
Fans here are expected to pull for
the home team since they have been
without baseball for couple of sea
sons. According 10 local baseball au-
thorities the Southern Michigan
should furnish the city with fast base
ball and with a team that plays clean
ball and could always be counted on
10 make a fight for every game, the
sport here this year should enjoy a
prosperous season