Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-27

Northwestern league, which boasts OF
| a membership of six clubs.
The same Is true in Glass G, the Wig
ginia league. n six-club circuit, lead
ing, with the South Atlantic, another
! exceptionally strong organization, fin-
/ ishing the last season with six clubs
and preparing to open this year with a
like number. The Northern league,
long one of the best of it's class, but
unfortunate in the past baseball year,
is a six-club league.
In Glass D there was no league
which surpassed the Central associa-
ton In respect to the class Of baseball
furnished it's patrons. There were
Glass D clubs. however. that Jared
better from financial standpoint One
of these was the Blue Ridge where
every club made money last year. and
where applicants for membership were
turned down this year because the di-
rectors refused to depart from the six
club plan. The North Carolina league,
one Of the strongest Glass D organiza-
tons, is a six-club league. Other sue
ceSsful Class D six club leagues are
the Dixie, Georgia Alabama, and Inter-
state leagues. The last named finished
it1sS SSdSSlA Will SlA SiuSS SAh2 Si~"9
this year with a like number.
In this connection 1t may be pointed
out that the Western league, for years
q six-club organization. prospered I'M
til two towns were added. and since
Topeka and Wichita were first taken
into membership the Western has
Jared badly.
Little Change In Schedule.
A change from an eight to six-club
circuit would result IN little change in
the schedule. AS a suggestion, sea-
son of 40 games, instead of 126 games,
as scheduled last year might be pro-
vided for, with the season opening
three days later and the schedule pro-
viding for three open dates during the
season. The greatest change necessary
would be to provide four series Of three
games each for each visiting club in
stead of three series of three games
each as provided for year ago.
It is believed that six-club circuit
would result in a much stronger organ
ization than an eight club circuit, with
two of the clubs entering at this late
day unprepared for season OF cham
pionship baseball
The six-club plan would be of bene-
fit in that it would make a more COM
pact circuit and lessen mileage OF the
several clubs.
What viii Be Done.
An effort will be made this weak to
close UP the Dubuque negotiations.
Should Dubuque decide TO enter, then
steps will be taken Immediately TO In
terest Boone to complete the eight-club
league Should Dubuque fail to warm
up to the proposals of the Central as
ISOLATION. then the proposition of play
ing with six clubs Will be made TO the
present members. and il is believed
that no club in this circuit can afford
10 surrender its franchise and sacrifice
its investment in players and plant
but will accept the six-club plan.
The Central association can solve Its
difficulties If its members are willing
10 drop politics and forget that Justice
has been dethroned- Ford has been
chosen president of the league, and
disposition TO back him up, rather than
to criticise his actions before he has
fairly assumed Office, will result IN a
reunited league of six clubs with sur
ficient financial backing and under
efficient leadership. insuring the fans
of the high class pastime this circuit
has been accustomed 10 witness.