Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-06
M0GULS TO AWAIT
!! EVOLUTION OF WAR
Will Defer Till Spring Calling
Off Base Ball in the Hope
B., Peace Comes.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

AT the forthcoming annual meeting
of the big leagues the winding up of
the affairs of the majors for the dura-
ton of the war is the principal BUSH
ness listed. but in view of the in
creasingly encouraging news from the
west front. Bulgaria's detection, Tur-
keys wabbling condition and the
AustroGerman political upheavals it
is likely formal locking of gates on
Sthe sport will be deferred.
1t is announced the annual confab
of the National Leaguers will be held
in New York December 10. and it is
understood that Ban johnson, who
has just emerged from the Wisconsin
woods. where he has been hunting
with Charley Comiskey. will set De-
rember IL as the date for the gather
ing of the American League moguls.
IF the sentiment of the games lead
ers is properly gagged, about all the
business transacted at the sessions
will be the appointment of schedule
committees and adjournment until
spring. 1t is argued that by that
time tho war may be over, in which
case big league operations will be
resumed in full force, but if not that
March will be plenty of time for put
ting up the bars as far as big league
activities in 1919 are concerned
No well defined plans for continuing
the sport professionally in case the
war continues into next summer have
been advanced by those who insist the
game Will be kept alive in some form.
with the exception of Clark Griffith's
scheme for Saturday and Sunday con-
tests for a period not exceeding five
months This plan calls for the
elimination of spring training trips
and the utilization of big league
players essentially" employed. Pro-
posals for the use of youngsters be-
low the draft age or creaking vet
Grams above it never will be seriously
entertained, for the reason that such
a. brand of base ball would not nav.
Anxious as they are to keep the sport
gong the magnates cannot afford to
run their leagues actuated by senti-
mental considerations alone. There
must be some money in it.
With the base ball season in Eng
land ended. many newspaper critics
there are specializing as to the place
the-American national game ultimate
ly will attain in British sport A
majority seem to believe that base
ball has been planted to stay. that
the slow and rather drab game of
cricket has by comparison to a large
extent lost its hold with the public
But one writer holds to the belief
that BritonS have taken to the Amer
lean game because of conditions de-
veioped by the war and regards base
kban as of doubtful! durability in Eng
land. The opinion is advanced that
normal England will not be equal to
the vocal strain of base ball. but it
is fact, nevertheless. that the dia-
mond sport now is firmly intrenched
in the isle and that some shrewd
business men have formed plans for
organizing an eight-club league after
the war.
At least one Army camp director
seems to have grasped in compre-
Ihensive manner the governments idea
to encourage all men physically fit
Ito take part in foot hall. SO! Metzger
coach at Camp Dix is planning to
turn out not one or two camp elev-
ems. but three or more. He wants
every man to play the game and is
Trying to get graduates of various
New Jersey institutions to organize
alumni elevens and play their schools.
He SAYS:
THE purpose of these contests is to
develop more interest in foot ball in
thiS camp and in the schools. as we'll
as to raise funds for the purchase of
athletic equipment for the soldiers
here. We are planning to develop va
rious elevenS within this camp, most
the various schools. During the sea-
son we hope to have these elevens
play each other. In this way an inter
school alumni schedule will be run
pff here. Then WREN dates are ar
ranged these various elevens will visit
heir home towns for games with their
local schools.
whenever this is impossible the
Team will be filled out by residents of
hese cities and towns. But in no
taSe will these teams be of superior
duality to those they will meet. The
Games between our camp school teams
Ind the state school teams Will be as
evenly played as possible. Our object
8 to get as many men in the game as
possible. rather than to win games.
There is no need of my telling how
much of value foot ball has in mill
airy training. 1t Is one of those COM
bative games which develop the traits
which make soldiers.