The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

i ONE of the confidence that was
N displayed by the majors be-
fore the Federal league began
it's raid is prevalent in the faster
minors of the country, now that the
new venture has issued an ultimatum
to the effect that it will devote its en-
ergies to coaxing from the fold of or
ganized ball star minor league players.
In nearly all of these leagues there
are players who are dissatisfied with
present conditions and all that is nee
essary to get them to desert is a lit
tie persuasion backed by display of
greenbacks.
Should the new league decide to at
tack the Glass AA and A leagues in
earnest they could inflict serious dam
age on them as these organizations
have not means and resources of the
majors to combat the new league.
Especially would the leagues where
individual and team salary limits are
enforced be at a considerable dis
advantage, as these could not match
the ,salary offers of the Federals. In
the latter class belongs the South
ern, and although majority Of the
players have been signed, it is not free
from injury by the newcomers. De-
spite reassurances from various quar-
ters that the 'DiXie major" would re-
ceive scant consideration from the Gill
more organization, there is still
certain degree of unrestfulness in the
various league towns, and not nntil
every player has been signed will this
disappear.
Already the Southern has felt the
sting of the F'ederals by losing three
players. Joe F'inneran, who was the
property of the Barons. has deserted
that team for the Baltimore Federal
club, while reports have it that both
Catcher Chapman and Pitcher Elliot
Dent of Atlanta have jumped. While
a large number of players have en-
tered the fold there are still several
stars on each club who are as yet
not safe from the Federals. The
Barons Crackers, Pelicans and other
clubs In the league each have num-
Der of reliable players, any of whom
would make the new organization a
good man, still unsigned, and there
is much apprehension that some of
these will be approached by Federal
promoters.
Unceasing are the worries of
Manager Moose Mccormick of the
I,ookouts. Now that he has annie
ably settled the demands OF Gabby
Street and Coyle, new burden has
made it's appearance. This is the
announcement of Pitcher George
Slime. the veteran HEAVIER pur-
chased from the Providence club in
the International league, that he
will not play in the south next
wear. Just what his objections are
to performing in the south are not
clear to the Lookout boss. One of
the main reasons why Mccormick
purchased him was that he believed
that Shines aging wing would
round again into form under the
balmy southern sun. However,
Slime seems to opine otherwise,
and has so far refused to be per-
suaded into coming south.
Year after year this same obJec-
ton to playing in the south has
been raised by major league cast
offs. Their contention that con-
ditions in the south were not favor
able is all bosh, as veteran after
veteran has regained something OF
his old time form under the in
fluence of southern weather condi-
tions. President Baugh of the To-
cal club, has stated several times
that the plea of old timers against
coming south was only stau