South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-14
5OUMICH PASSING
CRITICAL STAGE
IN 1915 SEASON
MagnateS Believe Frank Circuit
viii Weather Storm Which
Has Struck Minor Leagues
Handicapped by |. P.

With the Southern Michigan league
weather the storm which this year
has struck every minor league in
the country and sent many or them
hurting 10 cover either through
heavy reduction Of salaries OF by com
plete cessation of operations?
Pres't James Frank few days ago
told Owner Ed Smith that the Sou
mich would be able to bear up under
the strain. lie said that the league
vas In better condition i'm every way
than any other minor organization in
the country. But this statement was
not meant 20 be Interpreted to the
effect that the Southern Michigan is
upon the firmest of legs
Organization Ideal.
With all the misfortunes which
have befallen baseball in general this
year II could hardly be expected that
the Southern Michigan would be with
Out It's troubles. That the circuit mas
passed this far into the schedule with
out emitting such cries for aid as have
been heard from many of the other
leagu"S, is believed TO be due TO the
almost ideal basis upon which il is
oTganzed- II the Frank circuit this
year was burdened with one hanger
a
as Toledo and Lansing were last sea-
son. il is practically certain that the
league would be ON DANGEROUS
ground at this time.
Fortunately when the Southern
Michigan league was organized this
spring, six OF the strongest baseball
towns In lower Michigan and northern
indiana were picked TO fight the battle
in 1915. 1t was a settled fact that
this year would be a difficult one for
all base ball leagues, due TO business
conditions brought on by the worlds
war and other disastrous circum-
stances Therefore, the magnateS
who ventured into the league ha6
much faith i'm the fans they cater TO
and took a long chance.
No Money Making.
IL might be said here and now that
there is not a Southern Michigan club
owner making mOnev at this date as
far as can be learned But the re-
ports are that none OF the magnates
have thus far lost enough to warrant
their backing water. Their reVerSeS
they do not attribute 10 poor ball
clubs or to lack of interest by the
fans. but stack it all against the door
of the weatherman, where the blame
for the trouble lies.
Enough postponed games to last an
entire season have been placed on
record since May &c. The cold and
rainy weather which has been IN con-
troll practically half of the time since
the season opened has had q retarding
effect upon the creation of interest
among the fans. who have attended in
small numbers except on the warmest
Of days.
Magnates Optimistic.
But the magnates Of the circuit are
optimistic and are hoping for an early
change in climatic conditions. With
fair weather they believe that the fast
brand of baseball being displayed
around the circuit this season Will
attract crowds which will be money
makers.
In an interview the other day Ban
=. Johnson of the American league
expressed the belief that the solution
of the problem facing baseball this
year would be the suspension OF the
minor leagues. He said:
1T would he a good thing for base
ball and for the club owners of several
leagues which are in financial Difficult
ties 10 square up TO a certain date
and close up shop for the rest of the
season. 1T would save them money
and would benefit the sport i'm the
end by letting unfertile fields lie fall
low until next spring
Disagree With Ban.
This does not coincide with the
opinions of the greater number OF
minor league baseball magn3teS. par
ticularly in the Southern Michigan. At
Battle Greek where there has been
talk OF FORGETTING the franchise. II was
determined last week to continue the
remainder of the first season. which
ends July .. The Boosters there
cot busy when It was learned
that the club was in danger OF being
lost 10 the city and through their et-
forts the magnates have been en-
abled to continue.
The minor leagues. are just now
facing the crisis OF the season. If
the next two weeks can be passed over
safely. indications are that all OF the
Southern Michigan clubs viii be able
10 continue throughout the season
Fans ere Just now beginning Co take
interest as the weather is opening mp
and permitting them 10 attend. From
This time on 10 is believed that the
attendance at all Southern Michigan
ball parks viii be sufficient 10 make
the league a paying proposition. There
IS "a close race now in progress around
the circuit. which makes II almost I'M
r,ossible TO predict where any of the
clubs will land on July 3. the close OF
fine first season. This competition Is
attractive To the fans and in the clos
ing DAYS Of the first race for the pen
nant should draw good crowds 10 all
parks on the circuit