Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-04
BIG AMATEUR MEETING
SCHEDULED THIS WEEK
Secretary Sutton Urges Players to
File Applications That Season
Plans May BE Perfected.
MUST SIGN NEW CONTRACTS
All Players Must Aftix Names to 1917
Agreements Before Playing-Sun-
day School League Rumored as
Opposing Commission Afiiliation.


teur Baseball Commission, last night
announced that an opening meeting for
baseball enthusiasts will be held this
week that all teams wishing to play
in the amateur organization this sea-
son may have another oppoI tunity OF
filing their applications
sufficient applications have been re-
ceived TO assure the formation of eight
SiX-club leagues, and ii is believed Il
total OF ten or twelve circuits will be
formed before the playing year opens
However. it is urged that applications
for membership be filed al once, and
that the officials OF the commission be
furnished with the personnel OF the
teams.
This will facilitate the organization
work. and will insure a proper disposal
Of the mines. While leagues will be
accepted as Il whole, the commission is
urging that the teams apply for mem
bership as teams rather than part
OF a league already organized. 1t is
the plan of the commission so to di-
vide the teams according to their rela-
tive strength that the resulting leagues
Will contain mines of about equal
strength. thus insuring close games and
increased competition.
That was the plan followed by the
organizers of the Richmond Associa-
ton Football League, and the success
Of their method testilcs to the enec-
tivcncss of the idea. The Amateur
baseball! Commission does not propose
going as far as did the soccer organi-
zation-shifting players from one team
to another that weaker mines may he
,strenE Dcned. However. 1t Is planned
to organize the leagues that the
more powerful teams will he together
in ono or more circuits, and the mines
Of less strength will he ciassed.
For the success OF the amateur game
here and tho increasing of spor, for
Ia
receive the hearty support OF all base
ball followers. II Will guarantee closer
competition in all OF the leagues. and
therefore more sport and 1t will in
crease interest In the intcrleaguc con-
tests which are planned as the ante
climax of the local season the climax
coming with the intercity series.
sunday school League Opposing.
At the present time there is just one
thing that looms up as a possible cloud
upon tho amateur baseball horizon.
That is the reported opposition ex-
pressed by members of the Sunday
School League to becoming a member
OF tho general amateur organization,
the Amateur Commission. According
10 wc!l-circulatcd reports. the Sunday
School Leaguers wish to operate as n
separate organization and one entirely
! independent of the other leagues.
Such a condition would result in a
situation similar to that obtaining he
fore the recent amalgamation OF tho
other amateur organizations. 1t will
result in something similar to another
local war. the effects OF which might
dc disastrous. Not only would per-
sistcnt opposition to the single con-
trolling BODY result In heated efforts
TO secure players and the bringing
OF many eXtraneouS arguments 10 bear
upon them but it probably would re-
suit in some OF them shifting alliances
with the possible resulting disorgan-
lxltlOn of nd
planned.
II liz to he hoped. for the benefit of
the game here. that another involved
situation may be avoided. In the
union OF the players, teams and leagues
Hes the strength CT tho Richmond anna
teur baseball game, and the succ,ss
Tor which enthusiasts have labored so
hilisently and players have lonxnd SO
continually. Opposition on the part or
IN" sunday School League would not
mean necessarily that the other or
SANITATION would become disjoin:ed or
mat IL would lose many men. 1t would
result. however. in that lack Of united
eHort toward single object. the bet
tetment OF amateur ball In Richmond.
! that insures complete and UNQUALIFIED
| success
New Contracts Must He Signed.
y TACT that many OF the amateur
| players seem to have overlooked tins
lar was pointed out last night by Sec
''t"iS sutton. mat relates to con-
| tracts for the approaching season. All
! players must sign contracts with their
managers. and these have TO be passed
| npon ny the commission and a 4 H.
! REGISTRAR. Hy this means alone can
| the amateur qualifications De enforced.
/ New contracts made last year, even
! though they have been signed for n
/ tc""' or years. are invalid at thu pres
/ tnt time. The union OF the Amateui.
Z commission and the Amateur Baseball
: Federation cancelled all such agree
/ hIrhtS. and new contracts will have 10
hc signed hy the players this season.
/ 'n!E those dated since The ar,,yar,a
! ton Was completed will be valid
/ This means that all amateur play-
/ e:S viii have 10 sign new contracts
/ II has resulted in some extensive cam
/ vaSSluG on the part OF energetic man
ayers. and the signing OF some p,ayers
-houent I" have been carried over py
another manager from the preceding
""as"n However. these cases have
been rare. AMI most OF the plovers
have remained loyal 10 their old teams
l'iaNcrS. captains and managers az
Well as those who arc interested merely
as spectators OF The games have been
invited I" attend III" meeting that
VIII lie held during the present week
While no definite timo or place has
hren selected az vet. it is probable
THAT fnc conciave will be held Satur-
day night. II should he we'll attended
and II Is to the interest OF the game
mat All applications be eled a. that
time and that the SUNDAY School
League formally should notify the
comm isson OF its intention to bacnme
an ally OF that body.
An applications for memberships
should be sent early this week to
Arthur Van Buren. Room los. City Hall