The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-09

FIVE PLAN TO STICK
Only Three Doubtful Clubs in the
Central Association
Other Baseball
Gossip.

Dubuque will likely be member Of
the Central association circuit In
1917. Baseball leaders In that city
are negotiating for berth, President
M. p. Justice stated today and If there
Is . vacancy, the chances are that the
city, will be admitted.
Mr.. Justice announces that the an
nual meeting of the league directors
will be at Cedar Rapids on January
10. At this time it is probable the cir
cult will be made up. The league
prexy states that he has assurances
that five of the present members of
the league will stick in 1917. The
other three are doubtful.
Some Favor Rest.
Some Of the league directors are in
favor Of resting year and resuming
operations in 1918. This point will be
decided at the annual meeting. At the
meeting Of the National, association ut
New Orleans recently, session of
rest for all minors was recommended.
It has been reported from Fort
Dodge that President Justice will
leave the presidency Of the Central as
|sociation. When asked concerning
this he replied that he had made no
announcements on the matter yet.
Mr.. Justice had little to say concern.
ing President Tearney's suggestion Of
"a regrouping Of minor league clubs to
save mileage. Among other things
the Three-Eye prexy is in favor of
making over the Three-Eye and Cen
trail association circuits. Mr.. Justice
said, however, that any meeting 10
consider the points advanced by Tear
ney would be attended by G. A. repre-.
sentatives.
Changes are Wanted,
The following dispatch from Chica.
90, gives more in detail the various
changes in the minors proposed by
1'earney:
CHICAGO, H., Dec. "a plan to
reconstruct the entire National Asso.
citation Of Minor Leagues has been
brought forth by President Tearney
of the Three Eyes league, who will
endeavor to bring about another meet
ing Of that organization this month to
take up his scheme.
Because Of the financial distress ex-
perienced by large majority Of the
minor league clubs Tearney proposes
practically to wipe the present organ
lAAliOu OtA IuS hldSS, ai4u 1SSSSaO
along lines that would make minor
league baseball paying proposition,
or which at least will save the minor
leagues" to use the words Of Tearney.
Cites Remedies Needed.
In q letter sent to club owners OF
various leagues, Tearney discussed
four conditions Of the present organ
ization, viz: Territorial rights, clas-
|sitication, reservation, and farming or
optional agreements.
Regarding the first, the Three Eyes
boss would redistrict the leagues to
save mileage. Regarding classified
ton, he would do away with the IA
class. and, starting with A. would go
down to E, and in that way do away
with present extravagant salary limits
and player limits. On the question Of
reservation he suggests that the clubs
be allowed to reserve only nine Of
their players. thus throwing lot Of
players on the market and making It
easier to sign them at reasonable pay.
optional Agreement Handicap.
Discussing the optional agreement,
Tearney declares 1t always has been
only excess baggage for the minor
league clubs. He wants the thing pro-
hibited, which will serve to make
minor league clubs go out and get new
m aterfal and devotion II with the hone