Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-01
By Sam Crane.

TINE question of preparedness to
open their championship sea-
son next spring is even a more
serious problem for the Federal
League than the accumulation of
players enough to complete the eight
teams.
Those old times have departed new
er to come again wherein the mere
matter of putting up a fence and
few circus seats would constitute g.
baseball grounds. There are no more
grandstands so small that they can
be taken down over night and tucked
away out of the rain.
1t requires many days Of planning
by architects and orders for construc-
ton material placed oftentimes
months ahead to be sure of being on
the grounds at the required time. All
Of the present million dollar" struc-
lures and ball grounds built for the
convenience Of the baseball public
have taken months of preparation to
conform to the exacting demands of
the patrons, made necessary by the
great advancement of the sport in
late years in all particulars.
Even minor league clubs have found
It an absolutely necessary require
ment to be up to date and follow as
far as possible the example set by the
major leagues in building their splen-
did grandstands. Present day pat
rons have been educated up to such
4 high standard as regards their COM
fort and convenience that they will
not be satisfied with any hurried, fly
by-night, unccmpleted arrangements
that 1t seems Just now to be only the
possible way the Federal League can
be able to start their season.
A Formidable Task.
1t Is a most formidable task the
Feds have before them, even II all
their clubs were to erect wooden
stands, but by all reports there is not
city in their problematical circuit
that has not announced that steel
and concrete grandstands will be
erected and all ready and In proper
shape for the seasons opening.
Have the Federal promoters cor
rectly estimated the time and cost
phN NolAoldht WHY liiob WI 10 GIL
tailed on them to mako good their
statements?
can not believe so
If they had year for their prepa-
ration instead of a little over two
months in which to complete them
they would still be pressed for time
judging by the experience of those
owners of big league clubs who have
gone through the ordeal.
There Is still world of trouble an6
worry ahead Of the promoters, anC
this will be far from ended when the
full circuit is decided on. Suitable
locations for grounds can not be Sc
cured in a day. The experience of the
Cleveland promoters Is an instance Of
that, and Frank Farrell, owner of the
Yankees, could give some interesting
testimony of the difficulties he had il
getting grounds in New York thai
might be valuable to the Fed owners
who seem to anticipate so little trou.
BILE and smooth sailing.
Many Obstacles in Path.
The Feds may be able to secure a!
many more big league players as the!
already claim they have, but ever
then they will have almost unsur.
mountable obstacles to overcome
| The organization will still be UMPIRE
pared to force a successful issu,
against the formidable structure o
| organized baseball that is so firml,
| established financially, and with tn,
great advantage of public apprecia.
| ton that it is a veritable Gibraltar il
the path of those who seek 10 over.
| throw it and the national game!
strongest bulwark-the reserve rule
And, mind you, If the Fedora
League should by some surprising