The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-28

LOOKS FOR GOOD YEAR
Points to Toronto Where 1917 was
the Best Year in Its History,
Regardless of the
rn,.~nSr War.

ing of baseball players will be car
,.ies5 IN in the American association
next season, Thoma as ]. Hickey, pres
ident of the league, announced. FL
forts probably will be made TO nave
the war department detail miltaLy
Instructors with each OF the elsh.
clubs. These details Will be mappet
out at the schedule meeting OIL Ihe
association to be held in Milwaukee
next month.
President Hickey said the assocla-
tion faces every prospect OF a sue
cessful season despite the war, Dut
At the same time, will always pc
ready and only too willing to be gov
erned by the wishes of the govern
ment and its needs" /,
1--WE look forward to good year.
he said. The people have become
50 accustomed to baseball that think
they would be lost without 1t. me
1917 season was good, considering all
conditions Naturally, after war was
declared, the excitement following
accustomed by the efforts towards Ell,
listments, diverted the attention OIL
the people from their regular caan-
nels, causing them Temporarily 10 io'
get amusements and recreauon.
..People must have some kind OF
outdoor amusement Some play COLL.
some tennis, others motor. But the
masses. enjoy baseball. 1t is truly
the American game. The federal adj
ministration has approved the game.
We drilled our players In hHtary
tactics last season and Will 90 IL
again this season.
AS an argument that people want
baseball as war time sport, Presf
dent Hickey referred to the situation
in Toronto Can, which last season
won the International league PEN
nant. !,
Bio Year In Canada.
s.Toronto had the best year IN us
history" he said, Sin face OF the facs
that Canada has been deeply IN the
war for more than three years anu
the fact that ten per cent OF Toron-
to,s population is in the military serV-
ice. This shows plainly that the peo-
Bic want recreation-and that pase'
ball is the kind they like.
1--WE will start the 1918 season with
40 strong an organization as ever and
will maintain the usual high stand
ard Of the game as long as the people
want it, ,
Legislation barring the "spft-balr
and other freak deliveries was step
toward improving the game, Presi
dent Hickey believes.
"The ball was made to use as 1t Is
not to be doctored, and we are goins
to prevent it's being changed IN any
way" he said. This will increase
the batting and as the people IKE
lots Of free hitting it undoubtedly WILL
add interest to the game
With the signing Of Edward n
Med" Egan as pilot Of the MilWau
kee club, the managerial roster OF
the association is complete with the
exception of Indianapolis, James &
McGill. owner Of the club, has sew
eral leaders under consideration tc
succeed Jack Hendricks, who IS &c
manage the ST. Louis Nationals.
Larry Lajoie, the former Cleveland
star. who managed the pennant win
ming Toronto club of the 1nternat1ona
league. is mentioned as Hendricks
nossibIe successor. The name OF
Frank Chance, manager Of the old
time Cub machine, also Is included II
the list. Others are Charlie Carr
Herman Bronkie and Jimmy Burke.
William C1ymer will again be bach
at his old stand as manager OF tht
louisville club, and St Paul will have
Mike Kelly John Camel will con
time to direct the Kansas City club
Roger Bresnahan will remain at TIT
helm at Toledo and Joe Tinker viii
stick as the big boss at Columbus.