Evening journal., 1914-01-28

SURVIVE MANY
HARD KNOCKS
Graham Organization Can Soon
be CIaSSed sS Veteran
League
HAS HAD CHECKERED
TEN YEAR CAREER


The Tri-State can soon be classed
as veteran minor baseball league.
1t was organized in 1904 and al
though since that time the orgsniza-
tion has undergone many hardships
and on several occasions disorgani-
zation has threatened, it is still to-
gether and ready for another cam
paign. The league for two years had
the courage to fight against he full
strength of organized baseball, and
the stress and storm during those
times forced several clubs from the
game because of the heavy financial
burden OF the original seven clubs
but one, Harrisburg. has been repre-
scented every year of the 10 without
interruption. The Capital City, al
though in every season, has been
successful in capturing but one pen
nant. Wilmington won one.
The first season of the Tri-State
was started with seven clubs: York
was represented in the league as
Penn Park. with Wssliamsport, Harris
burg Altoona. Lebanon. Wilmington
and Camden. The Camden cluD was
forced to disband after several weeks
of playing because of the poor sup
port given il. During those several
weeks Camden won but four games
out OF 30. Penn Park won the flag
during that season after a hard bat
tie with the Willamsport team
Willlamsport won its first Tri-
State pennaEt in the season Of 1905.
Johnstown was its most formidabl
contender, and finished but half
game behind Williamsport in the
championship race. 1t was hard
fight and a successful year for the
league. In that season Penn Park
changed its name to York and Sha
mokln entered the organization. TAX
ing the Lebanon franchise.
There were hut six clubs in the
( Carpenter league during the season
of 1906. Shamokin and Williams
port were not represented. The pen
nant race was close and exciting and
the flag was won by the White Roses
The season Of 1906 was the most sue
cessful year in the history of the
organization.
Trenton and Reading. the latter
taking the York franchise. we're ad-
mitted into the Tri-State League n
/ the spring of 1907 Williamsport
( again carried away the honors, but
were given a hard fight by the Sen
ators. Reading finished the season
at the all end.
No changes were made in the cities
4 representing the Tri-State League
during the seasons of 1908, 1909. 1910
and 1911. excepting that York again
. entered the league in 1909 in tho
4 place of Wilmington. Williamsport,
Lancaster. Altoona and Reading were
3 returned pennant winners. Reading
( won its only flag i'm 1911. when Bill
( Coughl.n gathered a champiOnsh p
/ aggregation in Pretzeltown. Al
! though the circuit was assailed on oil
sides during these years the league
remained intact. At times things
I looked bad and there was every indi-
4 cation that the league would blow
up" but the real explosion never ac-
! tually occurred.
After months of angling Allentown
4 secured a berth in the Tri late
in the spring of 1912, when the Read
ing stands At Lauer Park were cou-
dcmncd and the franchise was put
up to the highest bidder. Bill"
Coughlin. the ex-Dctroit player was
tho manager. Although tho Tcutons
entered that season without much
preparation they gave the Harrisburg
club. which won the pennant. hard
tusslc.
As in 1905. the league last year start.
ed the campaign with siN clubs. But
things did net run IN smoothly last set
son and there was every indication that
the lcaeuc would take rcst 'o' at least
la wear. The Atlantic City club. travelling
the entire FIRST half of the season WIS
responsible for much of the trouble last
season. as tho ~cashorc team caused
heavy financial losses George W. Heck
lort was again Nork's pilot. and Bert
Conn. who the previous season managed
Ilohnstcwn and Chester. held The rcins
at Trenton which place licckert va
Gated Johnny Castle was managciaof
Atlantic City. and "jimmy' jackson
and George CocSill. of Wilmington. and
harrisburg rc.pcctiscly The pcnnaut
was won by " WILMINGTON The scrap for
was won by Wilmington. The scrap :or
second place was cood ono. resulting
Inn Harrisburg. Allentown and York fin
i.hirg ON equal terms.
The loagic viii again ~tiit next sea-
son with siN clubs, having the same
circuii as last season inclad Ing York,
Harrisburg. Allentown. Wilmington.
Trenton and Reading. In-tcld OF
Charlie. +. Carpenter la the presidents
chair George NJ Graham has been So
lccted 10 held the rcins. and the GLIB
owners are booking fer the season of
lnlA TO he bright success FOR tho
. Fri Sfafc