Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-01
WILL BENEFIT MINORS
FARRELL SEES RENEWAL
OF PROSPERITY COMING
Statistics show Mnny Player. We're
out of Jobs Last Ycnr-t;ood
Days in sight

John H. Farrell. secretary aud chair
man Of the National Association of Pro-
fcssionai Baseball Clubs the govern
ing minor league body. declares that
the principal effect Of the recently
concluded baseball peace would he the
renewed prosperity Of the small organi-
cations They would benefit more than
the major leagues, in his opinion.
The Federal League campaign" said
Farrell had little effect on the ma jor
leagues save Indirectly. J., did not cut
appreciahly into the attcudanccs Of the
National and American Leagues. But it
forced operating expenses. principally
through salary conditions. to a point
where it was felt sadly.
The minor leagues. on the other
hand. were hit hard. They were the
principal prey. More han 80 per cent
Of the recruits for tho independents
w"rf taken from minor league clubs
THIS deprived the dependents OF the
major leagues OF one OF thci- chief
sources Of revenue. The inroads OF the
Feds on minor chattclS Knocked the
bottom out of the market Major
league clubs were afraid TO purchase
minor stars at former prices for fear
their purchases might jump to Gil
more y ring.
In 1913 my office handled approxI-
matcly 1900 minor league contracts
In 1910 the number dropped below 5000.
and last year it again dropped below
5000. In those two seasons nearly half
OF the little leagues under protection
were forced TO disband
Many OF these. however. will he
lined up again this season | think by
the end OF next year organized ba bah
VIII have a greater membership than
ever before. The general territory
throughout this country is richer in
possibilities than at any other time in
the history OF baseball a wave OF
prosperity has hit our republic. Money
is frccr now than at any other time
within ten years. The economic poll
cies which organized baseball has in
siituted as result OF tho recent fight
Will leave operating conditions much
improved.
ITO begin with. there arc unlimited
numbers OF good players out OF employ
ment mean good minor league play
ers. scarcely more than ouc-half Of the
number employed in 1919 were living
at their profession last season. | have
pointed out. Not so many would now
he required to operate the same num-
her OF minor leagues that prevailed in
1919, for down the line from tho m: jors
roster limits have been greatly modi-
; fed. Even tho class IA minor leagues
have decided on methods OF sane econ
omy. The international League. most
rcactionary Of all, has adopted salary
limit Of $4,000 Il month Il club and a
roster limit Of seventeen u club.
The present season should be a ban
nor year in organized baseball. The
best of the Federal League has been
! absorbed by the National. American
and Class IA leagues so judiciouSiy as
to balance the fields admirably. The
National League last season cnjSycd
its most sensational race. Every club
was in the Tight until the last month.
The American League in 1915 was a
somewhat topheavy organization. Bos-
ton. Detroit and Chicago far outclass-
cd tho five other clubs. But those con-
ditions no longer obtain In Ban John
sons circuit. The amalGamation OF
two teams in ST. Louis puts the Browns
OF equal footing with the field. Frank
Baker Lee MaGcc, Joe C;cdeon and q
host Of new material has raised tho
Yankees to a pcnnant prospect. II
looks to me pretty much OF AN even
thing among no fewer than six clubs"