Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-20

With the annual meeting of the Gen.
trail Baseball Association. less than a
month away, renewed interest is being
shown over the circuit in the affairs Of
the league, especially as to the mem
bership for the 1916 season and the
final action on the "four-veteran
rule.
the affairs of the league there now
seems little doubt that Keokuk will
surrender its franchise at the Burling-
ton meeting. keokuk fans and the
Gate City press have ''kidded' them
selves thru the season of discomfort
until they have come to believe there
is yet hope Of maintaining a league
team in the city by the dam. How
ever, the Keokukians who have fl
nanced baseball year after year and
have had to do the hard work Incl
dent TO the maintenance of a team,
declare that the game is dead insofar
as Keokuk is concerned.
Must Admit New Member.
Representatives of the northern
clubs are going to Burlington with the
conviction that the principal business
to be transacted will be the selection
&C 9 city to take over the Reokuk
franchise. In the hope Of hanging on
for another season. the keokuk press
has again suggested the plan Of d.
vision Of gate money in lieu of the
$50 guarantee rule, but such a pro-
posal would not be entertained by any
Of the northern clubs. 1t is rernem-
bered that the change from the split
receipts plan TO the guarantee pro-
vlso was originally proposed by Keo-
kuk in the days when times were more
prosperous in the Indians camp.
Foreseeing the possibility of a va
caucy in the Central ranks, Fort Dodge
has made application for membership
and is counting on the support of the
northern clubs.
Rock Island Situation MuddIed.
Rock Island remains a factor in
Central association affairs but to just
what extent may not be determined
without a legal contest. The situation
at Rock Island, which was expected to
be clarified at the meeting OF the ma
tional body at San Francisco. is no
less vague than it was a year ago. II
and the Three-Eye, and an effort to
claim the territory now might result
in months of controversy. II would
seem to be the better plan to settle the
differences before Rock Island is con-
sidered for membership in either or
ganization. There is no more certain
ty as to the preference of the Island
ers than there is on the question of
ownership of territory. Reports from
Rock Island are conflicting, and while
one faction leans to the Iowa organiza-
ton. another is friendly to the older
association. ard il Is yet to be dieter
mined which is the larger and more in
fluential.
Vet Rule No Handicap.
The veteran rule'is not expected to
handicap the directors in the transac-
ton Of business on scheduled time. SO
far as Waterloo and Marshalltown. at
least, are concerned. the vet" rule is
dead issue. The gist OF the whole
question is this: The rule may be
adopted by gentlemen's agreement.
contrary to the judgment Of the ma
tional commission. but a unanmity of
opinion is necessary to make such an
agreement binding. and Waterloo and
MarshaIltown will not be party to such
a pact. Even should such a rule be
agreed upon, club could take eXcep-
ton to the ruling of the league presi
dent on protested players. could carry
the case to the national commission,
where the rule would again be de-
clared unconstitutional, and the pro-
testing club could abide by the decf-
sion of the league officers or not as 1t
! saw fit STAT.
Justice to Be Opposed.
The opposition to the reelection Of
! President Justice Is active, but it is
conceded that much will depend on the
| formation of the association for 1915.
| The guarantee money for next season
must be posted before any club will be
permitted to vote, and Keokuk must
have $500 in the hands of the presi-
| dent before it will be allowed a place
! in the meeting as a member. Should
Keokuk fail to post its guarantee the
| selection Of successor will precede
| the election OF officers and the new
member might hold the, deciding vote.
! Therefore much will depend upon the
/ city admitted, whether it be from
northern or southern Iowa.
Expects Much Of Watkins.
! A second Slattery" is the descrip-
|
BIZ Manager Frank Boyle. The man
ager expects much of the big left
handler this year. and predicts for him
most successful season Boyle be-
| lieves that Watkins has practically as
! much stuff as Slattery, with the adj
| vantage Of greater strength and more
/ speed. His showing last year was re-
! markable considering his inexperience
In and his youth Watkins is sill = ;d;I
being unable to cast vote at the
presidential election Of 1916 because OF
his tender years.
With added experience and contin-
iued schooling under a master like
Boyle. it is predicted that Watkins will
be one of the stars Of the first magni-
tude in the Central association next
year
PROVIDE MORE SEATS.