Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1917-02-01

pointed for 1916, in closing the busi-
ness Of the season makes public q
statement Of their appreciation Of
the support of the public and their
recommendations to next seasons
management. A complete financial
statement is also rendered showing
the seasons business to have totaled
over $6,7OO. The club has no indebt-
edness and starts the new season
with a clean slate and a small cash
balance.
The board was composed of five
members: j. P. Cutting, w. J. Kelly,
J. w. Jackson, George Leonhacdy,
and Chas. L. Marshall.
The Boards Statement
In closing up the business of the
Williston base ball club for 1916 the
board entrusted with the seasons
management desires to express their
appreciation of the loyal support and
liberal patronage accorded the team
and the games by the base ball pub
lie. Only by generous subscription
and good attendance was it possible
to give the city a winning team and
high class ball.
The financial statement for the
season shows that one of the big
items that make base ball expensive
is the distance between the towns
that support good teams. For rail-
road fare and automobile hire for
VISITING teams the management was
compelled to pay out large sum.
This is a condition that will improve
as the smaller towns, in between,
grow larger.
The difficulty of arranging games
is source of expense and loss. over
one hundred dollars was paid out for
telephoning and te1egraphing. Some
times games are dated on such short
notice that they cannot be thorough
1y advertised. A fixed schedule of
Hames for the season between four,
six or more teams, with open dates
between for games with other towns
and travelling teams, would be de-
cidedly advantageous in several ways.
Better Grounds Needed
While the use, for grounds, or pri-
vate property advantageous located
has been a favor that is thoroughly
appreciated, the board feels that one
of the greatest needs Of the town is
for a permanent athletic field, to serve
for school athletics as well as for
city teams, equipped to provide com
fort to patrons and facilitate collec-
ton of admissions. There is no doubt
that considerable patronage is lost
for lack of sufficient seats and shell
ter for those who do not come in
cars, Permanent grounds would war
rent and repay the expense neces-
sary to fit them up and construct a
real playing field. It was an imposi-
ton to ask real ball players to per-
form on the local grounds at times
last season and the game suffered in
consequence although fast, clean ball
was the rule.
BY way Of comment and recon-
mendations applicable to next sea
son the board wishes to say, without
Intending any seff-praise. that the |
plan. taken up for trial last season,
81 board Of business managers
working with a playing manager Of
the right stamp, seems well worth
Should Retaia Claranee Marshall
The board is proud Of the 1916 Op-
perfumes and the record they made.
In engaging Clarence Marshall for
plaving mana the board had a
-;ece Of good luck that smoothed out
many of the difficulties, that COM
monty beset Independent base ball.
all through the season.
The board strongly recommends
that Mr.. Marshall be signed again
tocether with whatever other men,
bers of the 1916 team he advises.
Williston should have good balls
team again in 1917 and early action
should be taken by way Of prepara-
ton. Good base ball is worth all that
it costs. It is Something doing" in
the season of good weather and roads.
It draws people and business and is
a far-reaching advertisement that
marks the town as Give one
AS was we'll said, recently, by a
leading citizen and business man. a
good ball team brings the citizens of
the community together and unites
their sympathies and enthusiasm for
a common cause.
A call for public base ball meet /
ing has been issued. Everyone in
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