The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-11

For the first time in the history of either of these baseball organizations tho pennant races will be inaugurated while the nation is in state of war. But once in the fl years of the senior league ex- istence has war been proclaimed ana In the case of the Spanish-American conflict the declaration was made six days after the beginning of the season. Peace was declared in December of the same year. Since the formation of the American league in 1900, the junior organization has never been confronted with conditions such as. prevail today.
 The league executives and club owners are loath to predict the effect of present international complications upon the na- tional game. In a general way they be- lieve that baseball is facing a fairly pros porous season, but expect the receipts and attendance to fall below estimates made before the developments of the past few weeks Precedents upon which to base calculations in the present situation are few During the Spanish-American war baseball experienced little, if any set backs. Last summer the international league clubs in Canada enjoyed marked prosperity, notwithstanding that large proportion of young Canadians were i'll or training for the trenches.
 Unusually close races are expected in both leagues The clubs of both organ cations have been strengthened to point where at least six teams on the circuit are real pennant contenders.
 On the eve of the annual pennant races in the major baseball organiza- tions. the executives of both the Ma tional and American leagues have pre- pared the following statement for the Associated Press, outlining their views of the coming seasons play:
 THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
 Fly PRESIDENT JOHN k. TENER
 Easing an ante-season judgment upon conditions and expectations as l find them wherever I go, l am led to believe that baseball generally will en- joy prosperous season in l9l7 Of course l make this statement mindful that the contingency of a war pressed with vigor on land and sea might act as a deterrant on what otherwise un- doubtedly would prove one of the best years baseball ever has experienced. This applies to the minor as well as to the major leagues.
 Speaking especially of the National league, I am convinced that the race this year will be equally as keen and interesting as it was last season. I look for a great battle for honors right up to the end of the champion ship schedule. I am conscious that the general public expects the New York Giants to win the pennant without any trouble. in fact many think Manager McGraw will take his team to the front and gradually widen the gap between the Giants and the other contenders until the former will make a walk over race of the schedule
 OTHER TEAMS STRONG
 l do not entertain any such idea. The other clubs should give New York a stiff fight, and stranger things in base ball have happened than that the favorite fail to win. It is true that of fensively and defensively the Giants are a powerful combination, but Brooklyn. Philadelphia and Boston, all good teams last year, and the Quakers and Braves all contenders for the title right up to the finish, will have some thing to say about the disposition of the pennant this year. All three of these clubs look stronger than last year.
 Then again the west may furnish some surprises that the public little anticipate. Undoubtedly Pittsburg has strengthened by the addition of young material. These youngsters made the Pirates quite formidable at the close of last season. Mathewson may spring a surprise in Cincinnati At all events