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

ME- question Oh preparedness "
open their championship sea-
son next spring is even q more
serious problem for the Federal
League than the accumulation of
players enough to complete the eight
teams.
Those old times have departed new
err to come again wherein the mere
matter of putting up fence and a
few circus seats would constitute a
baseball grounds. There are no more
grandstands SO small that they can
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
1t 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 SPLEEN
did grandstands. Present day pat
rons have been educated up to such
high standard as regards their COM
fort and convenience that they will
not be satisfied with any hurried, fly
by-night, uncompleted arrangements
that it 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 If 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
and constant worry that will be en-
tailed on them to make good their
statements?
! can not believe So
II 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.
fTbara tr eth n x.yArI5 30 ', 4
worry ahead Of the promoters and
this will be far from ended when the
full circuit ts 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 in
getting grounds in New York that
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 az
many more big league players as they
already claim they have, but ever
then they will have almost unsur-
mountable obstacles to overcome
The organization will still be unpre-
pared to force a successful issue
against the formidable structure Of
organized baseball that is so firmly
established financially, and with the
great advantage OF public apprecia-
ton that it is veritable Gibraltar In
the path of those who seek TO over
throw it and the national games
strongest bulwark-the reserve rule
And, mind you, IL the Fedora,
League should by some surprising