The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-19
RICHMOND CAN SECURE
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
Franchise Ready IL Release From
Virginia League Can Bo
Obtained.
SHIFT LOCALS TO LYNCHBURG
Money Ready to Finance Deal, but
Directors of State Organization
BaIk mt Idea of Losing Real Pro-
duCtive Baseball Centre.
ny GUS MALBERT.

Virginia League.
The Impression has gone forth from
many sources that the international
League trowned upon Richmond; that
Richmond was not a city of great
enough population to warrant an In
ternatlonRl League franchise, and Yet
that franchise is here. literally knock
ing a; the door. would enter, but that
tho Virginia League bars tho passnge
way
Perhaps tho Virginia League har-
bored the hope that Richmond was
dependent upon the Virginia League
in order that It's baseball appetite
ginia League knew that II was secure
IN its position when Il openly and pos
itively asserted that Richmond would
have Virginia Lengue baseball or no
baseball. At any rate the Virginia
LeRgue. IT appears IS at present balk-
ing the move to give Richmond better
baseball. and. so far baking tho move
successfully.
Tn. best information obtainable Is
that Newport News and Portsmouth
would be willing to let Richmond go
on Its way to better baseball, pro-
Nided the arrangements calling for the
release OF Richmond were satisfactory
as regards compensation for the loss
OF the city 10 tho circuit. Just what
attitude Petersburg would assume ut n
called meeting OF the league is not
known, but II. G. Elliott. owner of the
Norfolk franchise and controlling tho
Roanoke franchise, IN conference with
representative of the Richmond pco-
ple Interested. stated emphatically
mat he would never agree to any such
proposition under any circumstances
Thus Petersburg Is placed In the posi-
tion OF ca sting tho deciding vote, hold
Ing the balance of power, rs 1t were
assuming 10 fr
east above.
President ]. Q. Boatwright OF tho
Virginia League. Will be hero to-day
10 get Manager Ryans version OF his
dispute with Manager Mathews, OF
Newport News. relative to the alleged
unfair removal OF second base on the
Newport News playing field, ard 1t Is
understood that while here he, Will also
take up the question OF transferring
Richmond to the territory of the In
tcrnauonal League. In order that no
may make an Intelligent report to tho
directors.
Mr.. Elliott, who holds two votes by
virtue of his connection with Norfolk
and Roanoke, when importuned yes
'erday by the Richmond representative.
did not rl!nce matters. lie was posi-
tive In his reply, nor did hc gicn much
encouragement 10 the hope that he
might be changed from the position he
now occupies. 1t is obvious that If
Richmond leaves the league the value
OF Norfolk n piece of baseball
property will be considerably lessened
Every arrangement has been made
10 transfe" either the baltimore or tina
Jersey city franchise OF the Inter
national League to Richmond. Con-
ferenccs have been held with tho men
controlling the franchises In these
cities Nothing has been forgotten by
me men who have been engineering
here might he objection raised by tho
National Commission TO leaving Baltl-
more haH been anticipated because IL
was known that should Baltimore be
evacuated in the face OF opposition
from tho Federal League. 1t would have
" .ie'ilehuous erect in boosting tho
cause OF the Feds.
~ was realized In advance that 1eav
me baltimore would be n practical ad .
mission that the Federal League Ind
won decisive victory In at least ono
stronghold OF organized baseball:.. All
rms was thoroughly discussed. by / lfe
men VINO nave been working out tbe
p!aHs and III order that there pn,yh,
ne 40 hitch. another franchise I'm tho
international was secured The I'D,
was always that Baltimore Womb he
PIeieraolc' but that an international
s IIanchise from whatever CITY
'shhted by the league would be SAT-
sfactory ' Saw
~ mas been maintained nv tho
i'eh"s or Inc equitable schedule that
under the old regime, when Rich,,nma
GOT all OF tho week end games o,i,.
Hich'hond benefited and at the cy
pehse or the other five cities II h,s
been offered that the league 10 in boz
Ter shape under tho NV scheduI. ~
Tangement than In previous vc,rc
i.yrchhurG IL n corking good bnsa.
pan town has been without baseball,
LOT a number OF years. is willing and
ANXIOUS TO receive the Richmond Cuh
i'm .'c 'TSlnia Leasne ana 10 CON
t'hue playing the schedule AZ mr.
ranged. There would be no intcrruo-
non In Virginia League affairs w.
iHchnonh stepping out. and vet a ma
'ority vote for tho release Of pi,.h-
mona seems Impossible
morn In tho side of the Vjrci,,i.,
League for many seasons J.. ,,n,
Wi'hih the league when tn, onnnr,',
hity Is offered for Rlchrnond to stor
rul ana into the class that Richn,ond
deserves through Importance as a cir
'h"ush aptlity to take care OF n club
III the international Learuc and
through the fact that Richmond ,vli
ihen be associated with cities ~ ro,a
tive size ~ 'e'a
ne money to finance the new onto,
PRISE Is at hand, the franchise is re.d,
10 DC transferred, the people i'm Rtcb.
mona are ready 10 wclco,n. tho nov,
enterprise, the men who are pr.,.,oI
|" iuFnlsh the money are ready To ma
INC price demanded by the cluhs ~,
'ne virginia League for the ynlcnef
"' Richmond. provided that pricc &.
Iair; there is city ready and anxiou,
10 nh the breach caused by the frame.
Icr OF Richmond TO the new orraujz..
ton. the owners of tho local fraprbi.,
IN the Virginia League VIII co-oncra,,
WIN the men who are putting nm ~,
money 10 purchase the Internationat
League franchise, two cities in ~.
virginia League are ready. il appears
I" grant Richmond release. two ar,
"pposed unalterabiy. while one ,s I,
doubt And there tho matter stand,
At present.
An opportunity is presented tho yir.
Ein'a League TO get rid of Richmond
The many irksome and undeairalIr
difticultics 10 please Richmond ina,
nave cropped up at meetings innurner
able can al! he eliminated. Richmonc
can get the kind of baseball the fan,
OF Richmond have been cInrnorine for
hut, in spite Of the fact that Richnnopt
gets fer moro out Of the league thar
e1A