The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20
MINOR LEAGUES TO
RECOVER
National Association Leader
Sees Prosperity After
Feds Fall.
YANKS GO SOUTH TO-DAY

a or the NatOnal Nssociatio' VI
,esslonal baseball Clubs. which Is the
Governing body Of the minor loagues.
ICES In the recently concluded peace II
.omple,e recovery OF his sorely wounded
ianily.
The Fedora, League campaign said
Mr.. Farrell Yesterday. had little erect
anon the major leagues save indirectly.
II did no, cu, appreclably n the at
,endances OF the National and American
t<aeues. But 1t forced operating eN-
senses. principally through salary con-
li.ions. 10 a point where u vas felt
lady.
The minor leagues on the other hand.
we're hit hard. They were the principal
prey Of the outlaws. More than 20 per
.en,. of the recruits for the independents
we're taken from minor league clubs.
rhis deprived the dependents NJ TN"
major leagues OF ono o. their ohie'
purces OF revenue The infoads or the
outlaws on minor chattels knocked the
Ictton out OF h market. Major league
clubs were afraid 20 purchase minor
uars ut former prices for fear their
,urcho Sc. might Jump TO Gilmore's ring.
I'm 1913" continued Mr.. Farrell. 'my
,6ice handled approximately 1000
minor league contracts. In 1914 the
rumber dropped below 5000 and last
rear 4; again dropped below 5000. In
nose two seasons nearly half OF the
little leagues under protection were
forced TO disband.
Many Of these. however. will be lined
an again this season. I think by the
,nd Of next year organized baseball Will
tave a greater membership thai ever
befcre. The general territory throughout
mis- country Is richer In possibilities than
1t any other time in the history or base
BALL. A wave Of prosperity has hit our
,erublic. Money r. freer now than at
my other time within ten years. The
economic policies which organized base
bail has instituted as a result OF the
recent Hgft will leave operating cordi-
ions much improved.
ITO BEGIN with. thers are unlimited
pumbers OF good players out or employ
nent. mean good minor lea u play
FRS. Scarcely more than one-half OF
he number employed in 1918 were liv
nG a. their profession last season.
nave pointed ont. Not so many would
low be required TO operate the same
humber Of minor leagues that prevailed
N 1913. for owl the line from the
majors roster limits have been greatly
modified Even the class \ 4 minor
AaRucs have decided upon methods Of
0ne economy. The ~1nternationa'
League most r~cactionary Of all. has
,dopted a salary limit Of $4,000 y
month per club and a roster limit o!
seventeen "A club.
srhc present should be a banner year
n organized baseball" Mr.. Farrell con
.inued. THE best Of the Federal League
talent has been absorbed by the Ma
.ional. American and class 4. A. leagues
20 judiciously as to balance the fields
admirably. The National League las,
season enjoyed it's most sensational race
Every club was in the fight until the
last month. The American League In
1915 was n somewhat topheavy organ
Ization. Boston. Detroi; and Chicago Tar
1utc.assed the five other lubs. But those
conditions no longer Obtain in Ban John
sons circuit. The amalgamation of two
teams in 81. Louis puts the Browns or
equal footing with the field. FRANK
Baker. Lee Magee. Joe Gedeon and
host Of new material has raised the
Yankees TO n pennant prospect. Wash
tnRTOn tts bDlSltTel w weak SpotS. "
looks to me pretty much Of an ever
thing among nc less than SIX clubs.
1.-THE fans may expect TO see som'
real ball playing in last company this
year" concluded Farrell. The presence
Of the Federal League absolutely RUNE
team discipline, Now every player viii
have to get out and hustle his hardest
for hereafter two mel will he after h,
q. fob where there was one before. Homes
effort on the part OF the player is al
assured fact. And a little honest effor
soon will put the game far ahead o
that Nourishing condition II enjoyed whei
the Federal League opened its war"
The vanguard OF a party 81 thirty-on
Yankees will leave this afternoon 70
che training camp at Macon. Ga. RIA,
Caldwell. star right handler OF Donovan
team. has caught the fever Of enthusiasm
and has decided 10 20 out with the frs
squad. This contingent will be made vi
largely OF young pitchers and catcher
and infe.ders and outfielders who iii,
not come up for trial last fall. TIL
veteran players of the club will repor
to Manager Donovan in Macon in tim
10 begin practise March J..
The Giants will leave the latter par
~ this week for Marlin. Tex. whcr
all OF McGraW'S players are eXpecte
10 start training March /. The Dodge
battery veterans have been ordered t
report 10 Jack Coombs at Hot Springs
Ark, Thursday. They will reach Brook
lyn's training camp at paytona, Fla
on March 10. Tho rest Of Wilbert Rob
inson's athletes have been instructed I
report at Daytona in time for the frs
workout March !.
Voc Birmingham. former boss Of tn
Cleveland club but now in charge q
the Toronto InternatiOnals. Is Of N
opinion that Frank Baker will prove
real star for the Yankees for a dscad
or more.
why Baker is only a colt" said Bii
mingham yesterday just 20. There
not a cleaner living fellow in the gam
He has the constitution Of a giant an
there IL no reason why he should NJ
play as well AT the age Of Hans Wayne
as the Du;chman now plays. That
of course providing that he meets wit
no serious accident,
Baker is n natural hitter. and natur;
hItters never forget how To hit. II
Home Run King will wallop the bal :
long as he can stand NJ, look Il
Baker. playing scvcnty-seven games ,
the Poo Grounds, 20 drive out n
more home runs tina Gavvy travat
The purchase OF Baker was the be
move the New York American Leagl
club ever made"
Roh SchanC tho youny cntrhor n,