The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-15
FRANCHISE OF RICHMOND
GRAYS IS SURRENDERED
Leading Team In Capital City League
Pcnnant Race Is Dis.
banded.
SEVERE BLOW TO LOCAL SPORTS
Proposition OF W. S. Scamans. Jr., 10
Take Franchise and Change Namc
to AlcoS Is Rcfuscd-tlCOs May Be-
Intcrcity Representatives.

Amateur baseball received severe
blow last night, when tho Richmond
C;rays, the leaders I'm tho Capital CITY
League. tho local major organization,
dropped out Of the race by surrender
ing its franchise. Tho action was not
wholly unexpected. nut IL will have
material bearing on tho result Of tho
intercity series with Washington. and
may mean tho disruption of the league.
Cleve Bailey. who two weeks ago sue
ceoded Major l.. T. Price In tho man
aEemcut of the C;rays. was not presen.
last nicht at the meeting Of the league
ofici1lS, but was represented by stan
ley BiIbie, field manager Of the CLUB.
1t was announced that Mr.. Bailey had
decided 20 surrender his franchise, and
II Was suggested that 1T be turned over
to w. :. Soanaus, Jr., owner of the
Alcos. leaders OF the Old Dominion
Mr.. Seamans was willing to take tho
franchise. with tho understanding tina;
he could change the name of tho Grays
team from the best players on the two
clubs This wa7 not acceptable to the
officials, of the capital City League. and
1t Was decided to hold the franchise and
TO ask waivers on the players OF the
Grays. Some Will he used to build up
the Ashland and Battle Axe teams. and
those not needed will be relea sed to
teams in other leagues The two re-
naming clubs Will arrange n seven
game. series TO decide the city cham
pionship.
The withdrawal OF the Grays IS n So
we're blow to tho amateur sport as the
club was ono Of the first TO enter into
nm organization with the others, and
has always been 4 contender in tho
pennant races. Up to two weeks ago
the team had lost only one game out
of eloven played, but dropped two in
succession last week, having lost TO
both the BattIo Axes and Ashland.
Two weeks ago the CollegiauS, an
other of the older clubs. dropped out of
tho league because II was hOpelcSSly in
the rear, and it's players could not get
OFF 20 take part in the midwcelt games.
AS a result OF the action of the Cirays
last night. the game scheduled with tho
I Battle AXes for this afternoon has been
called on, No other games viii he
played by the Capital City lcaruers
until after the new series is arranged.
The Alco team, which may yet BIO
the representative OF Richmond in the
intercity series with Washington. il
well in the lead In It's league, and has
only three more games TO play before
the season ends. II Will then meet tina
winners In tho Richmond and Com
mcrcial Leagues. all OF which are in the
same class. and the winner of the Sc
rics Will play with the winners OF the
Capital City League. Manager Sea-
mans has gathered a strong bunch OF
players. and is not without hope OF
meeting the Neutrality-suspicious. on Labor
Day.
\ protested game between the Alcos
and Waikovers Will be taken UP to-
! night at a meeting OF the Old Dominion
! l.cague at Room 2l9, City Hall. The
! Walkovers have entered a protest be-
cause their pitcher. Bowers. was eject
ed from a game on Saturday for as
sauiting Asher. OF The Alcos. Tho
both men were equally to blame, and
that under tho rules both should have
been elected.