South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-07
SOUTH MICHIGAN
LEAGUE STRIKES
ROCKS WEDNESDAY
All indications Are That Circuit
Will Not Start Second Season
as Arranged-KOOb Decision
is Responsible.

1t looks like crepe. flowers and slow
music for the Southern Michigan
league.
Ed Smith, owner of the South Bend
club. Wednesday morning stated that
he had received word from Pres't
James Frank that the Battle Creek
club had decided to withdraw from
the circuit and that Bay City was pre-
pared to quit.
Smith was not certain Wednesday
whether the league had suspended for
good. but all indications were that the
circuit had hit the rocks and reefs.
Tuesday night the HOosier owner re-
ceived a message from Frank to the
effect that the d. City stockholders
had decided to give the league a
three more day trial. a short time
later Mr. Frank called Mr.. Smith,
stating that one Of the principal stock
holders of the Battle Greek club had
notified him that the CriC kets were
through. Pres't Lowell verified the
report at midnight.
KoOb Decision Responsible.
1t is believed that the decision
awarding Pitcher KoOb TO the ST.
Louis Americans, which was issued
by Ban Johnson Tuesday, is respon-
sible for the apparent blOw-up of the
Battle Creek club. When the Crick-
cts were here last week Mgr. Charles
Wagner made the statement that un-
less the national commission recog-
nized the claims of the Battle Creek
CLUB on the player, Pres'C LEVEL with
the stockholders of the Foodtown
club, were going to quit organized
baseb ball.
The decision rendered by the ma
tiOnal commission Tuesday gave hOOb
TO the St. Louis club in the face of an
Overwhelming amount of evidence in
favor of Battle Greek. Baseball men
are of the opinion that the awarding
of this player to st. Louis was one of
Ban Johnson's steps toward putting q
stop to the minor leagues this year.
Johnson has stated many times since
the close of last season that the minor
leagues are a hindrance to the big
leagues because Of existing conditions,
and that they should cease operation
for a time.
Smith Can Finish.
Ed Smith said Wednesday morning
that he was prepared to finish the
season in the Southern Michigan. He
believes prospects TO be good for a
successful season.
There is not a league in the coun-
try that has a better opportunity TO
succeed than the Southern Michigan"
declared Smith. Short mileage, low
salaries and fair sized towns makes it
possible to pay expenses and keep
above water with reasonable support
from the fans. The trouble is that
men are not making the large for
tunes in baseball that they did several
years ago and therefore are not Will
ing 10 take the chances"
The game scheduled at SpringbrOOk
for Wednesday afternoon between
the Wheeler Travellers and the
Hoosiers was postponed on account of
the rain. Whether there Will be
game here Thursday Smith was not
able to say He had not entirely
given up hope for a satisfactory ar
rangement which would give the
league new life but the prospects were
gloomy and it appeared that there
was very little chance of continuing.
Thieves at Park.
Troubles all come at once as is evil
denced by the fact that thieves have
entered the clubhouse at Springbrook
park on the last three nights and
stolen several uniforms and mack
inaws. Smith has placed new locks
on the clubhouse every day. but the
thieves have broken them all.
It is barely possible that Pres't
Frank may be able to patch up mat
ters at Battle Creek before Thursday
afternoon and IndL the southern
Michigan may continue throughout
the remainder of the season. The
Battle Creek papers of Tuesday stated
that the club and the stockholders
were prepared TO finish the season.
This was previous to the announce
ment of the KoOb decision. A just
decision in this matter would have
put the Battle Creek club on easy
street and would have insured sue
cess.
The danger signs came upon the
league without a moments notice. on
Sunday PreS't Frank was confident
that all had been arranged for sue
cessful finish of the year. The re-
ports from Battle Creek and Bay City
came as a thunder bolt That there
will be new developments within the
next few hours is probable and Ed
smith is awaiting word which may be
more encouraging.