The Washington herald., 1915-07-20
What's the Matter with
Baseball" Much Mooted
Question This Season.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
Six Victories in Row Should Inspire
Criffmen to Greater Deeds
of Valor.
Dy WILLIAM PEET.

Whats the matter with baseball'
shouts a calamity bowler.
Right away Joe villa, the New Yorl
Evening Sun sporting editor. gets out
his pencil and starts figuring, as fol
lows:
"AccordinE to conservative esti-
mates Of the crowds that saw the
National League and American
League games on Saturday, the
tnrnstiles counted more than 12O,-
900 fans. In New York, Brooklyn,
Philadelphia, and Boston the Ma
tfonal League contests drew at
bets Field was close to $4,000, while
At the Polo Grounds probably TO-
900 fans celebrated the Giants dou-
bic triumph. The Cubs were paid
for 1900 admissions in Philndel-
phia, while the Braves double
header with the Reds Mt Fenway
Park attracted trifle less than
$4,000. The total attendance At the
American League games was about
1900. The Red Sox and White sox
played to 10000 In Chicago. There
were $4,000 at the Athletics' game
in Detroit. while the Yankees in St.
Louis and the Washingtons in
Cleveland each drew In the neigh
borhood of 5000. These figures
would seem to indicate that inter-
est in major league baseball games
is not falling on"
Mr.. Villas statistics are mighty inter-
esting and he is doubtless correct, when
he estimates that 10000 fans parted with
gate money last Saturday, but he neg
ected to present the other side of the
question.
How about big salaries in both these
leagues?
1t is apparent that a close race in the
American and National leagues at this
stage has aroused enthusiasm and old
lime crowds are turning out. but the
Did time crowds are needed these days II
present salaries are to be maintained,
and II figures were obtainable at the
lose Of the 1915 season it would prob
ably be found that the club owners able
% break even are few and far between.
The owners of the Philadelphia
Athletics admit that they stand to lose
lose to $780, 900. while Bob Hedges, who
controls the st. Louis Browns. has al
,eady dropped a bundle of coin. and as
'or Cleveland. it's a cinch that Char riley
Somers will be more than $4,000 out. IL
lie has not dropped that amount already.
Right here in Washington the club is
Up against a tough proposition, and with
jriff's heavy pay roll it Ia hard to see
where the Nationals can make a penny.
Clark Griffith admitted to the writer
/ month ago that he stood fair chance
o lose his savings of a life time this
summer. and he happens to control a
arge block Of stock. representing his life
ime savings.
The crowds are beginning to come out
hank goodness for that-but the enor-
nous pay rolls due to the Federal League
INVASION and other sources, more than
the gate receipts in every
major league club.
There is nothing the matter with Or
,anized baseball except top-heavy pay
oils and the time is not far distant
When big salaries will be a thing Of the
asst.
Winning six games in a row and FIVE
( them from Cleveland does not cause
ny wild excitement among those who
ave followed the destinies Of the Ma
lonals this season.
1t does not mean that Washington is
ding to win the pennant or anything
Ike that, but 1t does mean something.
Once a ball club gets into the habit of
INNING all kinds of confidence Is in
titled into the various players who COM
ose that club. and the present grand
howing in Cleveland is going to have
list as beneficial an effect as the oppo-
te obtained when those six defeats at
le hands Of the Boston Red Sox were
which sent the players down
ito the depths of despair and made
lem think that they simply could not
in.
'sss
One more game remains to be played
Cleveland today. and then the Griff-
en go to Detroit to wind up the final
.ries Of the Western trip against
ughey Jennings Tigers.
The Nationals usually play good ball
Detroit and the least they can expect
an even break.
President Tener. in the opinion Of
lie entire National League. made the
-oper move when he investigated the
lid statements Of Johnny Evers. re-
Getting on the honesty Of the pennant
zee. In filing charges against Evers,
hich brought the matter to a head. !
H. Ebbets. Of the Brooklyn club.
ted wisely. inasmuch as he rightfully |
,lieved that the baseball public was
TITLED to an explanation. There are |
many sceptics that the Evers out
lrst had to be challenged. In future |
might be advisable for hot headed |
III players to curb their tongues.