The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-08-09
SHAkE-UP LOOKED FOR
Developments Expected in Minor
Leagues After the War.
Big loads in Bush Leagues Not Salts
fled With Conditions and Are Plan
ming to Start Revolution
airy Movement.

By JACK vETOCK, International News
Sports Editor.)
Look out for a big shake-up in the
minor leagues shortly after the close
Of the war.
It is bound to come, and when it ar
rives there will be some surprising
developments, if the dope sheet reads
correctly at present.
For the past five or six years there
has been a wave of unrest sweeping
through the minors. The big toads
in the 'bush" league puddle are not
satisfied with conditions by a long
shot, and the more aggressive ones
among them are planning to start
revolutionary movement that will
change the complexion Of the baseball
map considerably.
First Of all, there is plan afoot
for the establishment Of third major
league. 1t is an old plan, almost as
old as Methuselah, but it is still alive
and kicking like a bay steer.
Less than a month ago feelers went
out in American association and In
ternational league ranks to test the
temperature of the club owners on the
third major league proposition. The
result Of the test was not satisfactory,
probably because Of the uncertain
outlook for baseball in these warsOme
times. But the baseball men who are
fostering the plan have not given up
hope, and within year, maybe two
years, there is going to be something
bidding among the minors.
The writer has had an ear close to
the ground for several months. And
the murmurs that have been skating
hither and thither were not whisper
ings Of ll-o'-the-wisp by a long
shot. Baseball men prominently con-
nected with the game, even in the
major leagues, admit that the base
ball map is in need Of alterations.
They admit that a third major league
is q probability in the near future and
it is limited that the plan will get sup
port from several unexpected quar-
tiers when the right time comes.
The new move to revise the base
bali map is not move that has been
made with an idea of stirring up
further strife in the game. If it is
accomplished it will be done regu-
larly and smoothly, and there will be
but little friction.
Quite naturally, the third major
league idea embraces cities in the
American association and the Inter-
national league. Which cities will
be chosen to form the new tOp-notch
circuit is still a matter of argument,
but it is said by those who are closely
connected with the plan that cir
cult which will be more compact than
either Of the two big leagues is to be
suggested.
Such a move will necessitate the
redistricting of other minor leagues,
and a raise in rating for at least eight
cities now in Glass B company. Other
details of the plan have been told be-
fore, but in all the changes will be a
sweeping affair when it comes, and
there are any number of baseball men
who admit-some unwillingly and
others willingly-that it is coming.
It sounds like a bum note on the
trombone, this revamping idea, but
it isn't. Baseball needs shaking up
and if it can be accomplished along
peaceful lines it will be the best thing
that could possibly happen for the fu-
ture Of the game.