New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-01
Baseball Critic
Favors Merger
OfOldLeagues
Ten-Club Circuit Would Re-
sult-Proposition Unlikely
to Gain Support
By w. ]. Macbeth

by w. j. NldCDctn
Ed Bang, the well-known baseball
critic, Of Cleveland, advocates as a
solution Of existing major league
troubles a merger Of the National and
American circuits. This is not exactly
an original suggestion. 1t was sprung
some time ago by al Eastern writer.
There is little likelihood Of any mer-
ger, particularly now that the relations
between the major leagues have been
strained almost TO the breaking point.
Besides, Bang and his contemporary
have suggested a ten-club league from
the combination. The proposition con-
templates one club for each OF the fol-
lowing cities: New York, Chicago. Bos-
ton, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit and st.
Louis.
Some Wixardry Necessary
A ten-club league certainly would be
an innovation. But, on second thought,
it might require some wizardry to oper-
ate it. Naturally, II would have to DO
composed of Eastern and Western
wings, and no way yet has been devised
whereby bunch of five teams can be
kept busy among themselves at the
same time. IL takes pairs OF teams 10
provide games, and a schedule that
would keep certain aggregations Idle
part Of the time would be unwieldy In
the extreme.
IL is quite true that baseball In GER
tain major league cities has been at
very low ebb for year or so. This IS
particularly true Of the American
League cause in Washington. Ban
Johnson has declared repeatedly that
he would not consider any idea Of quit
ting the capital city during the pres
emit war. 1t is a matter OF patriotism
and pride to stick by the capital.
There are certain cities quite capa-
BILE of supporting rival major league
clubs. New York, Chicago and Boston
have all been benefited by opposition.
st. Louis, perhaps, is too small for two
leagues; Philadelphia is a 25-cent town
But the men in the baseball business,
almost without exception, love the pub
LEFTY of the game. There would be
high old time adjusting any scheme TO
have some of them drop out. The
money involved naturally would be too
much for these unsettled times.
Nor Is there any reason 10 believe
the major league bosses would care to
have a part in the destruction of the
annual world series, which has become
the greatest public institution Of organ
lied baseball. This fan classic more
than any other feature has helped to
popularize the game. IL is true some
few magnates can be found who are
not strong boosters for the worlds
series. These, without exception, are
of the National League. They have no
fault with the big classic. They simply
deplore repeated National League re-
verses.
No Change in Schedule
Undoubtedly the two leagues will
operate separately as usual in 1918 with
view 10 sending up the respective
pennant winners for the world cham
pionship. And it looks more and more
as if the conservative element, when
for years has been content 20 let well
enough alone, will oppose all change IN
schedule. II seems a moral certainty
that each league will play schedule
of 154 games. II is quite possible TINS
season may be crowded into hve ana
half months instead OF the customary
six, but only in the event that SUNDAY
baseball is legalized in the state Oh
New York.
Ban Johnson, president Of the Amer
lean League. has sounded a warning
against the double header evil. lie
ascribes TO bargain days the great fall.
ing off in regular attendance. Because
of the rules of the two major leagues,
which forbid double headers between
clubs during the first series In the
various cities, these double headers
fall thickest from midseason on, when
interest in all but the prominent CLUBS
has begun 10 wane.
Charles Weeghman, president OF the
Cubs. at the annual meeting OF the Ma
tional League in this city the week
after next, will attack this rule most
vigorously. He believes that II double
headers are permitted from the begin
ming business will beneht greatly
through the early season.
While Branch Hickey has not despsiree
OF securing Jack Hendricks TO lead the
Cardinals In 1918, he is taking nothing
for granted, and has begun 10 lay lines
in other directions. According TO gos..
sin from Chicago Pat Page. coach OF
the University Of Chicago baseball
team, is seriously considered for tne
Page has never played professional
baseball. although he was a college
pitcher of rare ability and received
many fattering offers from the majors.
He has been very successful as col
leee coach. A few years ago he TOOK
his Maroon team TO japan.
The success of Clarence Rowland
with the White Sox and Leo Bezdek
with the Pirates has greatly boosted
the stock Of college coaches.