Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-16
BASEBALL
LEAGUE HAS MEETING
Large and Enthusiastic Gath
ering---Salem'S Course
Not Decided

One of the largest and most enthusi-
astic meetings ever held by the Inter
City Baseball League was held -last ev-
Iening in Portland where baseball mo-
guls from Portland, iWoodburn, Nc
Minnville, Camas, Hillsboro and Salem
met at the banquet table and while
Ipartaking of an elaborate seven course
dinner discussed plans for a much bet
tier season than the league experienced
in 1916, although it was the greatest
success from a semi-pro standpoint
since the old Tri-City days
ExManager Ray G. Baker represent
ed Salem on behalf of Manager Otto
Klett who was unable to be present.
East Side and West Side Portland
teams and Salem still own franchises
in the league and temporary franchis-
es were voted to McMinnville, Wood
burn and Hillsboro. Camas may be sub
stituted for Hillsboro although it was
the sense of the meeting not to have
any teams in the league from other
side of Portland. Silverton was also
considered for a berth. With the big
new sawmill and their eight hundred
employees added to their already large
pay roll Silverton should make good
club for the league and would also re-
duce the cost of travelling. A commit
tee was appointed to look after the
matter and as soon as the league is in
tact another meeting viii be called and
steps taken for permanent oTganiza
|tiOn,
The matter of applying for class
d. rating from the National Base
ball association was not gone into on
account of the fact that this rating re-
quires a 96 game schedule and a salary
limit of $500 which would be out of
the question.
1t was voted to allow the visiting
team guarantee of $40 instead of
playing on a percentage basis of 40
per cent to the loser and $50 per cent
TO the winner with expenses guaran
teed as last year.
1t was also voted to raise the en-
trance fee from $75 to $l00 so that
teams would not be so hasty in throw
ing up their franchise and disrupting
the league in mid season.
The league will probably open on
April 8th and close on August 10Th.
This will make the season twenty
weeks long and with extra games on
the Fourth of July and Memorial day
will make the schedule about twenty
three games.
The salary question which always
disrupts more semi-pro clubs than any
other one thing was talked over very
thoroughly 1t was the cause of all the
trouble last season and steps will be
taken at next meeting to avoid as
much of this trouble as possible. 1t
was the opinion of all present that ey-
cry club would be better off in the
long run by playing home players as
much as possible. There are always a
few players who figure they are worth
class SD" salary but believe that
every manager this season will be very
careful not to get overstoekcd with
players who can see nothing but money
in the game.
1t was brought out at the meeting
that no less than fifteen players are
getting chance to try out in class
D, b, A and AA leagues who played
in the InterCity League last season,
and great many of the young players
overlook the fact that this league is
good stepping stone to higher leagues
The players get great deal of pub
hcity through the averages and box
scores in the large papers Of the state
that would otherwise be very small
when playing with an independent
team.
A great deal of credit was given
President Bay for the success in 1916
and he was unanimously reelected.
None Of the officials of the league get
salary except the secretary who has
to devote considerable time handling
correspondence and data and he is al
lowed the nominal sum of $3.50 per
week.
Salem had the best class of baseball
last season they have had in at least
seven years and with MeMinnville add