Evening journal., 1915-08-09
harrisburg CHASES
|. HARD TIME WAIIINC
|BlazeS Way to Success for
the Minor Ball
Clubs
CRITICS ARGUMENTS
TURN OUT WRONG

Minor league cluD owners, dpOuI
two months ago, were crying about
hard times. They would close their
gates if the national commission did
not come to their aid, they declared.
Blame was placed on the major
leagues for their troubles. The short
sightedness of the minor league mag
mates themselves, however. seemed
most to blame. Instead Of increas-
4 Ing their salaries in proportion with
. the majors, during the hard times,
hey cut the salary limit and, in many
Instances, raised the price Of admis-
sion.
It was pointed out at that time that
baseball fans all over the country
we're alike. All the talk of record
salaries in the major leagues had
: stirred the fans up so much that they
wanted to see a higher class of play
+ ers. But. instead of that, they saw
their good players go to other leagues
because they refused to play for the
small salaries offered.
The Tri-State League was one OF
those which cut the salaries to such
an extent that the players could make
more money independently. and by
holding a business position at the
same time. II was stated that the
Tri- State League could be made
paying proposition with a slightly re-
constructed circuit and by giving the
& fans a better brand Of ball.
The great drawing ability Of the
Harrisburg club in the International
League is the best proof that can be
offered that these contentious we're
right. In Newark the same team
& failed to draw after the Federal
League had placed club in the same
CITY. The fans are not supporting
q the Federal League team well, but
they have not ignored the Feds en-
hrely as they did the Internationals.
When the Newark franchise was
transferred to Harrisburg, local fans
who had followed the fortunes of the
Tri-State League with great interest
declared that il was a great mistake,
because Harrisburg had failed to sup
port the Tri-State League.
But as soon as the fans in Harris
burg realized that they we're to be
& given a higher grade of baseball, for
the same admission, interest was re-
vived. and Harrisburg is now sup
porting a Glass AA team in better
style than any other city in the Inter
national League.
The players who had thrown away
game after game at Newark because
they lost interest playing to empty
stands. seemed to be inspired by the
enthusiasm of the Harrisburg team
and two weeks after the team was
switched from Newark to the Capital
City, a winning streak was started
which has carried the team from sew
enth to fourth place. and at the pres
ent time there Is not a team in the
league playing as we'll as Harrisburg
Harrisburg entered the Interna-
tional League on July 2, and after
& breaking even until July 10, a win
ming streak was started, and the In
I dians have captured II out Of the las
"a games played. half of which have
been played on the road. Since en-
tering the International League. Har
risburg has won % games and los
12 If the Capital City had been IL
the league from the start of the sea
son, or had not been handicapped b,
# Newark's poor start. the team woulI
x probably be battling for first placl
& with Providence and Buffalo.
AS it stands. Harrisburg has
chance for the pennant. but the team
is drawing better than any other il
the circuit, and the splendid suppor
Of the fans proves conclusively tha
& Eastern Pennsylvania is not dead s.
far as minor league ball is concerned