Omaha daily bee., 1917-12-16
Reorganization Of Little FeI-
lows Bound to Come Despite
Efforts Of Major Mag
mates to Check 1t.

tinue as they are. Consider the sltua'
ton in detail;
These leagues say they will or car
stand pat, practically, on their 1917
circuits:
Pacific Coast.
American association,
Western league,
Southern ASSOCIATION,
Texas league,
Eastern league,
Blue Ridge league,
Central association.
These leagues admit they must be
rcorganized, some OF them from top
TO bottom, before they can hope to
face the barrier in 1918:
international league,
Central league,
Three-L league,
South Atlantic league,
Western association,
New York State league,
Northwestern league,
These leagues are too dead for the
present to be considered in any reor-
! ganization plan:
. Virginia league,
North Carolina league,
Dixie league,
Georgia-Alabama league.
Northern league.
Now let us take up the situation
first of the "standpat" crowd, some
OF whom made much at Louisville of
! property rights" and their ability to
| weather any storm, and scorned the
idea OF a general reorganization as a
slap at their standing. Let us see how
near they can make good their boasts
that they are not personally interest
ed in any reorganization plan.
. Coast Takes Steps.
The Pacific Coast league already
has taken steps to make a shift in Cir
cuit by substituting Sacramento for
Portland and the hints are that there
is some trouble in financing the Sacra-
mento proposition. Moreover at its
sTecent league meeting there was agita-
Etion for making other changes, evil
Edence sufficient that the situation is
NOT entirely satisfactory.
The American association, by the
sise of iron heel methods, has forced,
for the time being at least, three re-
Iluctant clubs to remain in its organiz-
Iation. On the surface it is intact--un-
derneath there are still rumblings Of
dissatisfaction and rebellion. Reforms
have been promised to mollify the in
surgents and it remains to be seen
if these will be carried out in good
faith. II they are made the associa-
tion probably remains intact and will
proceed to play more base ball and
less politics.
Western Optimism Not Warranted.
The Western league puts on a bold
front that deceives no one. 1t has
four clubs that are sound, two that are
doubtful unless they can be refinanced
and two that il is 10 TO shot are
done. 1t therefore should be keenly
interested in any reorganization plan
that will permit il to invade property
rights" of other leagues.
The Southern association and the
Texas league, operating in territory
apart from the rest of the National
association, are not concerned in re-
organization except as they desire, OF
course, the best interests OF minor
league base ball furthered.
The Southern's weak spots, Mobile
and Chattanooga, have been re-
financed and are sureties. The Texas
has an internal issue that it will set
tie satisfactorily, Its only problem is
TO take care of Beaumont, which de-
mands admission. rather than any
worry over securing new cities. The
Lone Star circuit is one sound and
solid base ball proposition.
The Eastern league probably will
have TO replace Lawrence and il that
city is dropped it then faces the propo-
sition OF long jump to Portland
without the break that Lawrence
would furnish. 1t has cities available,
however, and the question that con-
fronts Dan O'Neil is only one of maxi
ing selections.
The Blue Ridge is compact little
circuit that has been forced to make
changes from. time to time. but has in
each case found territory available.
The Central association has two or
three weak sisters, but even if not al
lowed TO draw from other. territory
now protected" probably can ar
range its circuit for 1918 without diff
ficulty. Its only issue is as to the in
terest that will be maintained in base
ball. 1t is not a question Of territory,
but of war effects.
Now for the leagues that are seri-
ously up against it.
As for the international league,
President Barrow already has ex-
pressed his pessimism. His league
was hit hard by the Federal war and
never recovered. Only two or three
clubs made as good as an even break
on the last season and igsaes have
piled up until at least lalf the
club hackers are ready 10 throw up
the sponge. 1t is doubtful if six clubs
can be coaxed to start the 1918 season
President Barrow says he wouldn't
suggest to them that they try it again,
for he can see no future except more
losses.
The Central league had to pick up a
city claimed by another league in Or
der to fill out its circuit in the last
halt OF the season. At the close of
the season at least three cities an
nounced intentions to lay off for a
year or two. 1t finished the season,
however, and would start again if it
could enlist several new towns. These
towns that it desires are now claimed
as property rights" by the Three-I
league. 1t therefore is keenly inter-
ested in the plan to forget territorial
claims. for if the Three-I agrees with
it there is hope of new circuit.
The Three-I, naturally. finds its in
ferests akin to those of the Central.
A combination of the best cities of the
two circuits might make one strong
Class B league, but the best city of