The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-25
Some Reasons Why Birming- ham Man Should Be Head
 of Southern League
THESE ARE CRITICAL
 DAYS FOR BASEBALL
Man With High Ideals as We'll as Sound Business Judgment Is Needed as kavanaugh's
 Successor

Crawford Johnson. president of the Chamber of Commerce, gave formal noti- noation to all presidents of Southern League Baseball clubs yesterday to the efect that the body of which he is the mead has indorsed R. H. Baugh of Bir- mingham. as the logical successor of the late William M. Kavanaugh
 In this connection it was learned defi- riteiy yesterday that Mir BauSh Is not a candidate for the position of president or the league. He will avoid a scramble Tor the place. As a matter of fact he knows in advance the work and re- sponsbility which the position entails. and. therefore. would be willing for some other individual to drain the cup of it's cress. However, if the directors of the league, after canvassing the field, con ciude that he is the man to fill the shoes Of the late president, then MT. Baush will accept. And he will take the position tecause he has cofAe to appreciate the organization for it's real worth and is willing to undergo sacrifices in that it might continue to exist ana grow in strength and usefulness.
 <Nhu IL ls tsiheiy TOT the directors of the southern league to stop short and take an inventory.
 For baseball throughout the United states, crisis has come. It is quite possible. in view of the entrance and ef- fectiveness of the Federal league and the dlsafectlon of great many of the star players Of the majors, that interest will Ter period, wane: that despite the fact that baseball will never die it will reach such state of inertia or stagnation that a complete renaissance will have to be undertaken.
 Tn the south--due principally to financial | strlngency, it is probable-baseban is not what 1t formerly was. In other words last year and the year before were lea,. years. and there is every reason to be- l'sVe that the ensuing season will be lean efso. Therefore, it behooves tlie drec- LOTS or the league to look carefully be- lore they leap. It is quite possible for tEem by false step-through the artful playing of politics-to ruin the organiza- ton, to make it a stench in the nostrils of the public
 Comparatively young fans remember the plane on which southern baseball was played 10 or 12 years ago At that time it was sport without refinement, because the players were rowdies, as a rule. and those interested were, as a rule "sports D
 
 of scrappers, or the greatest sum of . money, generally got away with the bunting. 1t was time of umpire, batting time, as a matter of fact. in which few men visited the park for the pleasure that it is possible to derive from an honest game of baseball--few men and no ladies'
 And then Judge Kavapaugh took charge A complete renaissance was undertaken Rowdes were forced to submit to the gag Fines, penalties and suspensions were imposed with such heartIess regular ity that the old-fashoned r,ayer often sighed for the harvest days agone. The medicine was strenuous. but the disease was so serious that such medicine was necessary. And a cure was effected The players of today are. a rule, men who stand high in the business, professional and social world. The patrons of baseball are, a rule. of a high type of citizen ship. And so clean and wholesome ha become the sport that of it's patrons in all southern cities large percentage is feminine
 Now, it is quite possible for the old days to return. For as stated, conditions are not favorable Especially Is this true in the Southern league For the president is dead. and it matters little who is selected to fill his position. his standard will scarcely be approxmated.
 Therefore the directors should get to- eether in peace and-above al else--sani- ty. If they play politics, if they name president simply because he is a good fellow, or an old head in baseball, or a man who understands the art of playing the game better than another then the worst may be expected
 A man who is stanch in the business world and experienced in the counsels of the Southern league, man who is fair and honest and square. a lover of the sport and close to whose heart the league lies, should be named There are several club presidents who might measure up