Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-26

back, CongreatulatlnB lnem-
selves that competition is no
more and hardening in their dreams
TO the sweet and musical click of
the turnstile, Mr.. a. Fan. the most
important figure In base ball. appears in
the center of the stage and INDUCES in
little Christmas joy for himself. For
the fan can foresee an Improvement in
the brand of base ball which will be
served him when balmy and gentle
April comes around. Inc entrance of the
Federal league players into Organized
Base Bali should, and IN all probability
will, result in a vast Improvement in the
playing. And that Improvement should
occur all along the line from the majors
TO the class ID minor loops. In the first
pace the major league clubs will be
he4rengthened by the addition of the Fed
4 eTal league stars to their ranks. Fol-
lowing this those players who last sea-
son held down Jobs in the majors and
the Feds. but will noN be quite fast
enough to hold their own with the
smaller number OF positions to fill, will
drop TO the class AA circuits. In turn
the weaker members of the class AA cir
cults will be passed along to the class
loops and so on. Thus all OF the circuits
will obtain players of more pronounced
ability than they had last year. In the
second place the brand of ball should i'm
prove because the players will be called
upon to exert themselves to their utmost
to hold their jobs. Players who loaf and
play horse-a practice very prevalent last
year-will find themselves parted from
their Jobs because the magnates are now
In a position to discipline such pursuits,
d.. Ill
successful tonic for professional base ball
Since the advent of the Federal league
and the subsequent battle of the dollars
between the warning magnates the heads
of Organized Base Ball we're severely
criticised for permitting financial mat
tiers to enter too largely in the business
of base ball. But out of the confusion
of the last week looms a clear testimonial
that craftsmanship and loyalty is a vir-
tue possessed by American league club
owners. That is the decision of the league
TO stand by Charley Somers in that mag
mates time of need Mr.. Somers may
yet be compelled to give up his ball club
~, the committee of bankers that has
~ HIM in its power insists, but there is this
satisfaction that his fellow club owners
on his feet as far as his base ball inter-
ests arc concerned. Truly, 1t is only
right that the American league should
stand by somers, for It was somers who,
without the slightest hesitation, spent a
fortune to assist other club owners and
enabled many a faltering club to weather
the storm. but it must be admitted there
appears to be some regard for faithful
leaguers.
Lincoln'tes appear to be filled with a
Ieeling Of apprehension regarding the
future success of the University of Ne
braska foot ball team because Jumbo
Stiehm is leaving The institution. 1t ap-
pears to us the Lincolnites are yelling
wolf before they are hurt. Without
casting any reflections on the ability OF
Mr.. Stiehm II would seem very compe-
tent coach to succeed him could be
easily obtained. II Mr.. Stiehms success
SCR is as fortunate in getting material
as Stiehm has been during his five
years OF service at Nebraska little fear
need be felt, for even an ord nary coach
could turn out championship eleYens
with men like owen and Ernie Frank.
Jerry Warner Shonka, Vic FTulligan,
lsFrerb Potter, Dick Rutherford and Guy
Chamberlain to build an attack around.
When the details Of the peace treaty
were published no mention of the sum
Harry Sinclair was to receive was made
and It looked like the oil magnate was
left outside the fold. But now 1t seems
Mr.. Sinclair owns all the stars OF the
Federal league and will gather in his
bit by placing them on the auction
ulock.
Mr.. Gaffney OF Boston says the solu-
ton to the umpire question is to
schedule the jumps at the start Of the
year Just as the clubs are scheduled
and then make them lex to the schedule
Perhaps, but Il would seem a more sue.
eessful solution would be to employ some
real umpires.
Jack Holland will not desert the West
ern league In its time of need. The ST
Joseph magnate will remain with tn,
Drummers instead OF going TO Kansa
City. The Western probably would no
n exist II Holland should transfer his AZ
fections.
Il Inc DiO"hs ana SuOs' aNNOiuihs 70 IN
peace agreement, can carry as many a
fifty athletes II they so wish This ap
.A&ars to be a gross injustice. How can tn
Browns and Cubs get along with onl
fifty players?
WicSeta declares Il will have a be,
ter season next year than last II tha
ia true Wichita will about lead the leagu
In attendance next year.