Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-11-20
G. A. TERRITORY OPEN,
rsrriterial Rights OF Three Minor
lsa0uss Must Be Surrendered.

Leagues mueV Do SurVoVooVoU'
The old Central Baseball Associa-
tion circuit has passed into baseball
history. The territorial rights OF the
organization have been surrendered
and the once famous Iowa circuit Is
open to invasion.
In connection with the reclassifica-
ton problem confronting the delegates
at the Peoria meeting OF the National
Association OF Professional Baseball
Leagues, fostercd by President Al
Tearpey. OF the Thrce-I league, Secre-
tary John II. Farrell, OF the National
association, ruled that the territory
formerly claimed by the Three-l
league and Central association ~ ne
open territory.
This is n victory for Tearney, who
both the Central league and the Cen
trail association, and who, no doubt,
now hopes to organize a new circuit In
tho territory formerly occupied by the
three organizations. I.
Reconsideration has been Teafney's
hobby, and he has ridden 1t to death.
For two years or more he sought 70
stick the harpoon into the vitals of the
Iowa circuit that the Three-I vandals
might seize the most profitable terri
tory and annex 1t to the aged and
diseased tri-state organization OF
which he was the head. Therein lay
the only salvation OF the Three-I. But
Tearney temporarily failed and as a
result the Three-I was junked. The
Central association survived the demise
Of the older circuit, but fell a victim
of the wartime depression.
Now, no doubt, Tearney hopes to
erect more stable league, which
would embrace the live towns Of the
three circuits If successful in this,
Tearney would have one Of the strong
est minor leagues in the country, and,
should he succeed in keeping himself
at the rudder would greatly increase
his own prestige in baseball circles.
Farrelrs ruling. however. makes it
possible for the Western league to enter
Central association territory and claim
such towns as it may desire to comS
plete its circuit. The Western has
cherised the hope Of acquiring new
towns that the mileage Of the league
might be reduced and the cirAlht be
made more compact. Therein. many
commended, was the only solution OF
the problems which have kept the
Western in an uncertain condition for
a number of years.
At the Peoria meeting a new salary
limit was fixed as follows:
Glass A, $4,000 month; class b,
$4,000; class C, $1.400; class d. $1,000.
Glass IA leagues must have an ag-
gregate population Of 1,75O,000; class
A, 1000, 900; class B. 100000 to 1000
900: class C, 100000 to 100000; class
D, under 100000.
AS a result Of the Peoria meeting
war has been declared between the
major leagues and the national asso-
citation. The minors demand the aboli-
ton of the draft and optional agree
ments, with the alternative OF war to
the knife. President Ban Johnson, OF
the American league, as spokesman
for the majors, has accepted the chal-
lenge, but in the interest of all con-
cerned differences must and will be
adjusted, with the probability that
some concessions may be wrlng from
the majors.
AS to the Central association there
is no possibility Of the reorganization
OF the circuit as it was constituted IN
1917. There is no hope Of revival OF
baseball in some of the cities in 1919.
and the only likelihood Of league ball
in any is that such towns as are ready
to re-enter the game may find berths in
new organizations. Five minor leagues
are scheduled to start but iat present
there is little likelihood that any or
the central west organizations. as they
were known in pre-war days, will o0n
the 1919 season, except the Western
Loo tya : ~ L.