Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-07-21
SHAKE.UP LOOKED FOR
Developments Expected in Minor
Leagues After the War.
Bio Toads In Bush Leagues Not Salts
fled with Conditions and Are Plan.
ming to start Revolution
ary Movement.
(By JACK vEIoCK. International News
Sports Editor)

CBy JACK vEIocK. International News
Sports Editor)
Look out for big shake.up in the
minor leagues shortly after the close
of the war.
It is bound to come. and when 1t ar
rives there will be some surprising
developments. IL the dope sheet reads
correctly at present.
For the past five or six years there
has been wave of unrest sweeping
through the minors. The big toads
in the "bush" league puddle are not
satisfied with conditions by long
shot. and the more aggressive ones
among them are planning to start n
revolutionary movement that will
change the complexion of the baseball
map considerably.
First of all. there Is q plan afoot
for the establishment of third major
League. It is an old plan. almost as
old as Methuselah. but 1t Is still alive
and kicking like bay steer.
Less than month ago feelers went
out In American association and In
ternational league ranks to test the
temperature of the club owners on the
third major league proposition. The
result of the test was not satisfactory
probably because of the uncertain
outlook for baseball in these warsomc
times. But the baseball men who are
fostering the plan have not given up
hope. and within year, maybe two
years. there Is going to be something
bidding among the minors.
The writer has had an ear close 70
the ground for several months. And
the murmurs that have been skating
hither and thither were not whisper
ings of a will-o'-the-wisp by long
shot. Baseball men prominently con-
nected with the game. even In the
major leagues. admit that the base
ball map Is In need Of alterations.
! They admit that third major league
Is a probability in the near future and
II Is limited that the plan will get sup
port from several unexpected quar-
tiers when the right time comes.
The new move to revise the base
| ball map Is not Il move that has been
made with an idea Of stirring up
further strife in the game. If 1t Is
! accomplished II will be done regu'
larry and smoothly, and there will be
but little friction.
Quite naturally, the third major
league idea embraces cities In the
American association and the Inter
national league. Which cities will
be chosen tn form the new top.notcf
circuit Is still matter of argument
but Il Is said by those who are closely
connected with the plan that n cir
cult which will be more compact thar
either of the two big leagues Is to bC
suggested.
Such II move will ncccssitate tn,
redlstricting of other minor leagues
and Il raise In rating for at least eight
cities now In Glass II company. Other
details of the plan have been told be
fore. but In all the changes will be /,
sweeping affair when 1t comes, ant
there are any number of baseball mcr
who admit--some unwilingly ant
others willlngly--thnt 1t Is coming.
II sounds like II bum note on tho
trombone, this rcvlmping idea, bu
II isn't. Baseball needs II shaking NJ
and If II can be accomplished alOn:
peaceful lines II will be the best thin.
that could possibly happen for the fu
ture of the game.