The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-30

franchise in Joplin has not put base
ball in the morgue here by any
means. Instead, it has only seemed
to stimulate interest and to make the
fans wake up to the realization that
they must have some kind of diamond
sport during the summer months
Since Savage's announcement be-
came definite, rumors have been fly
ing thick and fast to the effect that
plans are on foot to initiate Topekans
to new brand of the national pas
time, not so fast, probably, as the klno
they have been used to. but neverthe-
less interesting because of its novelty.
In addition to the plans. that are
ON foot to organize a city league and
to revive the game at Washburn col
lege, it is rumored that certain base
ball enthusiasts are quietly working on
a plan to organize a Kansas State
league to take in such towns as
Hutchinson. Emporia. Leavenworth,
Atchison, Manhattan and Topeka and
other towns that may want to get
into the. organization and that are
needed to form a six or eight club
circuit may be desired
Plans Looks Feasible.
1t is thought by many that such
league would be big success and that
it would go a long way towards APP
peasing the hungry fans. All the
towns mentioned above have suff1-
cient population to support a good
club of semi-pro players and most
of them have enough talent right at
home to enable them to organize fast
teams
The railroad fares in such a league
would not amount to a great deal and
it is thought the league could be op-
expenditure of not more than seven
or eight hundred dollars a month by
each club, and that with an expense
no greater than this all clubs could
make money.
Sunday games could be played in all
of these towns and if it should not
prove feasible to have the league play
continuous baseball, a schedule could
be arranged calling for games three
days week, coming Friday. Saturday
and Sunday. Those who have given
the plan consideration think it would
be well to have a short schedule call
ing for not more than rs games. and
that the season would not start until
the weather is such that it will be I'M
likely to interfere with attendance.
Topeka Would Support 1t.
Topeka business men and Topeka
baseball fans undoubtedly would give
their support to such an organization,
and the State Journal will gladly do
so. Any one who is interested in this
proposition in any town in Kansas
and who wishes to cooperate in push
ing it is invited to correspond with
the Sporting. Editor of the State Jour
nal and to state what interest there is
in their towns in such proposition
The question of organizing league
under the protection of organized
baseball will involve the relinguish-
ment of Topeka territory by the West
ern league. but such a league as is
contemplated would not necessarily
have to be affiliated with the Nation
al commission and would probably get
along just as well as an Independent
organization.
Also, the question of getting park
would probably be a greater problem
in Topeka than in any of the other
towns because Savage probably would
not lease his park here except for a
goodly consideration, but this question
also can easily be disposed of as there
are other available places such as
Washburn, Santa F'e park and sites
where temporary parks could be laid
out at little expense.