Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-12
BASEBALL MEN TO MEET
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
GATHERS AT LOUISVILLE
tsIinor League situation serious. md
Drastic Measures Probnble-Rtch-
mond Not Included In New Plans.


LOUISVILLE. KY. November IL
What promises to be tho most impor-
tant meeting OF the National Associa-
ton Of Professional Baseball Leagues
In several years will begin Tuesday
n and continue three days.
Is Interest will center largely about
proposals 10 change tho whole map
OF organized baseball so far as the
minor leagues are concerned. and as
tho plan will meet opposition, the ses-
sions may develop into exciting affairs.
In this connection the proposal about
which tho greatest amount of gossip
has conferred and which seems likely
to produce tbs bitterest controversy is
the plan 10 form new organization
from parts of the American Association
and international Leagues. The pro-
posed league would include Louisville.
indianapolis. Columbus and Toledo.
from the American Association. and
Toronto, Buffalo. :;ewaril and Balti-
smore from the international League.
The four clubs in each league which
Swould be left out in the cold under
this arrangement arc expected 10 fur
nish all the opposition TO the project
OF which they are capable.
In addition. demands will be made, 1t
k9s said. by interests in the Western.
y Pacific Coast, Texas. Three-I and Cen
trail Leagues. the Southern Association
and several other organizations for
rcalignment OF their territories.
Among tho specific changes said to
be desired is the addition OF Shrcve-
Z port. Texas League city to tho
Southern Association. and the transfer
OF Seattle from the Northwestern
League to the Pacific League
In addition to these changes. others
would probably be forced b" tho sue
s5 cess of any enor; 20 form n new COM
bfnat!on from parts OF the American
association and International League.
Otherwise. there would lie no hcrths
for some of the best minor league
towns in the country.
Minors Mny suspend.
a movement may be launched 10 sus-
pend operations la several smaller
minor leagues until the close OF the
war Practically every organization
from the big American Association. In
tcrnationai and Pacific Coast Leagues
down--suffered seriously last season.
Twenty-Five minor leagues started the
season. and only about half OF them
finished. Only FIVE leagues went
+ through withou; changes in their cir
cults
The blows to tho minors began to
fs;i carly rs the season. The Virginia
League 6ishandcd on Ma% ~ Two
da%s later the North Carolina League
& EsHo up. and three days later saw III.
finish OF the Georgia "A la brn,a circuit
Early in June the Central League gave
way. The Dixie League md IL. North
I'm Association suspended carly in July
K The Threel. League which had
weathercd all kinds or conditions for
seventeen years, was obliged 10 sus-
pcnh on July &. The Northwestern
League hcit. on for week longer. and
the Central Association managed IL
continue until August :.
The, Western League Was forced TO
Change its alignment and split its sea
son in July to s;r w new interest
Even tho American Association began
TO slash expenses early in the season
because of the heavy losses duo to
postnoncmenis. resulting from unsea-
eonable weather conditions.
Presidents OF several minor leagues
IN ihe Middle Wc"t are intellectually
In I.H"r of putting baseball Oh the
HheT .oi "cnr. and possibly two
. They faIo., releasing all players and
staring anew at the close OF the war
OF a less expensive operating basis
Continuation OF present salaries OF
III noT League players. they contend. Is
y ou' OF the question. The unsettled con-
d'tions in the minors. however. are not
+ entirely due 10 the in the league
in the opinion OF Harry W. S;ahhefcr.
president Of the Central League He
beiicves the small. inexpensive motor
car has seriously cut down the at
tendance in the smaller ci;!es.
Uccrcnttons Make Inrouds.
From my study OF the situation
have concluded that the factory work
e;, WHO. in former years. spent q quar-
ter or % cents for 4 seat in a baseball
park on Snnda N:i. has. bouGht a small
automobile which. takes his spare
. money We usually counted on these
y patrons for regular sunday business.
But now, instead oC going to ball
u game he takes his family :or n ride
4 in the country. And n, present day
q prices for necessities after this fellow
gets through buying motor supplies
he has nothing left to lavish on base
ball.
Golf also is d contributing cause.
Men who used to patronize baseball in
Evansville. Ind. my home. are taking
exercise themselves instead of wutch-
( Ing ball players get i'll
!, =. Il. Tearney. president OF the Three
! l. League, Will lead a movement at The
{ national association meeting for a re.
classihc2 ton Of al minor leagues and
reduction in tho membership OF the
national board OF arbitration Tcarney
z wants the membership of the board
s!aahed from It's present number OF
eleven TO three.
Tho board is unw!cldy," he said.
Its members, p.cS!dcnts of learucs
and. in some instances, former nresi
dents. who are entirely out OF baseball
are scattered all over the country. II
an important piece OF legislation re-
+ quire5 immediate action. il ometimes
takes weeks for the issue TO be sub
United to the entire board
ut is my purpose 10 propo a ma
tionai board, composed o, three men
Z either to serve with salary or vo,un-
i2teer their services. They could devote
their entire time 10 the minor leagu.
situation. The national commission
nag backed me in my reconm endation"
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