Evening star., 1915-03-23

CHICAGO. I'LL, March e3-Base ball IS
In for an overhauling such as 1t has
never before experienced if the sug-
Sestions of B. b. Johnson. president of
the American League, are carried out.
According to the head of the junior
circuit. there is need of reform along
both artistic and financial lines In
Guided in the scheme for new deal"
are the closing of the gates for the
coming season of some fifty ball parks
and the abolition of spring training
trips. The padlocks would be distrib-
uted among five or six minor leagues,
Whiie the American and National
leagues would be principally affected
oy tne new system of training.
Ihe APPARENT lack of interest in base
nail IN smaller towns is the reason for
the first suggestion, and needless ex-
pense coupled with the chilly reception
both at the gate and by the weather
man at southern training can,ns 10 re
sponsiDfe for the second Then the hin
poorome features of the spring trims
PROBABLY had considera BILE to do with it.
soa me poilcy OF closing the gates of
sSotes oi minor league clubs has been
Drought home with added pressure the
last rev days through appeals to the
iational commission from ball PLAYERS
!oI pack salaries. 1t seems that the ma
X
poth ends meet last year, and the
payers are at present in possession of
l. -. Us on which they have been un-
ape 70 collect Not being able to get
any satisfaction from their employers,
.he players have flooded the commits
sion with requests for money.
Worst Is Yet to Come.
The supreme court of base ball has
peen unable to offer much encourage
ment, and it was pointed out through
Mr. johnson that the worst is yet to
come Hundreds of players are likely
10 be out of jobs the coming season,
with no relief in sight, regardless of
whether certain clubs close their gates
or not.
fresldent johnson pointed out that
the National League will have to get
rid Of probably $50 players. while the
American League will discard almost
as many. The larger minor leagues
VIII cut their rosters to sixteen, sew
enteen and eighteen players for each
club, and these moves will throw more
men out of jobs. Mr.. Johnson said:
I'VE have come to the parting of the
ways, and either have to furl our sails
and run before the wind or take the
chances of being wrecked on the f1nan-
cial shoals. 1 am not referring to the
American or National leagues when l
along certain lines may be necessary
there. What I refer to is connected
with the minors. Most of the small
leagues throughout the country are in
a bad way. There is no question but
that it would be a good thing for the
game were the gates of five or six
minor leagues closed during the COM
ing season. In fact 1 cannot see how
the smaller club owners can afford to
keep their parks open. Few made any
10
as if they are going to this.
Commission Is Bombarded.
THE national commission has been
bombarded of late with requests for
back salaries. These have all come
from minor league players, who were
unable to collect from different clubs
last fall. The commission naturally
tries to satisfy the players to the best
of it's ability, but if the club owing
the money is bankrupt our hands are
tied
Now there is a serious condition con-
fronting club owners and players. If
the owners could not pay their men
last year, the chances are they won't
be able to the coming season
For that reason l advocate the clos
ing of the parks for year. 1t would be
men at ALL
There will be hundreds of ball play
ers on the market in short time and
who can afford to pay any money for
them? The minors? They are strapped.
The majors? They have about $50 to
800 more than they need. The National
League will have to let out something
like $50 men. The American League
about the same number. 1t is no wild
eyed dream on my part. l know the |
conditions and l have looked at it from
every angle.
Majors Must Retrench.
There will also have to be retrench- |
ments in the major league field. The
abolishment of spring training trips l
think will be in order next year. These
trips are getting to be pretty much of
joke. AS for making any money in
the south with exhibition games, that
is practically impossible. The south
has been milked dry and the clubs are
losing something like $4,000 or $4,000
every year. But that is not all. What