Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-10
MINORS TO DISCUSS
BASE BALL REFORM
First Steps for Reorganiza.
ton of Game to Be Taken
!. at Meeting Tuesday.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

: o4 OG1N mhIN 4AO660Ns
Z tuesday. at Peoria, nj. the first
steps toward the contemplated reor-
Ganization of professional base bali
viii be- discussed. The occasion wiz
be the annual conclave Of the minor
leagues. ....
IN pre-war times the yearly gather
ing of the bush magnates was an
event of importance to the major mo-
guls. as some fifty leagues. control
ling small army of players, were
represented. This year. owing to the
extensive suspension of operations
due to the scrap overseas. only eight
are entitled to sit in at the confer
ence-the American Association, New
International, Southern. Pacific Coast.
Eastern. Western. Northwestern and
Texas These either completed their
schedules or remained In the field for
more than half of their seasons.
Territorial Rights Topic.
ritorial rights is expected to form
one of the chief subjects for con-
sideration, now that peace apparently
is near at hand. The little fellows for
years have suffered from the handi-
caps of inequitable territorial appor-
tionment, the costs of excessive mile
age requirements having precluded
making both ends meet, financially
speaking. not to mention the taking
of profits. Fear by the minor moguls
of the result of any concessions for
the revision of territorial allotments
has been the chief bar to the correc-
ton of this evil.
Ending of the war will assure the
operation OF the new International
League and the Southern Association,
both of which are in good condition
financially, but the situation of the
American Association is not so sound.
The enterprising hackers of the Kan
SaS City club are said to be angling
for the berth held by the St Louis
team in the National League, it being
Cardinals are sailing dangerously
close to the financial rocks. Omaha
has been nominated to take the place
that would be vacated In the A A.
From the standpoint of support such
shift would benefit the parent cir
cult, for Kansas City is a live base
ball town. but it is so far removed
geographically from the remainder of
major leaguedom that the incon-
venience and, added expense entailed
would nullify this advantage.
Merger Project Is Dead q
In any event. it is assured there is
DO Likelihood of a revival of the
movement for the formation Of "a
third near-major circuit by the ANAL
gamation of the chief strongholds of
the American Association and New
International. This was attempted a
year. ago by Ed Barrow. then presi-
dent of the International. The Attain
tic seaboard organization now prob
ably would not countenance the prof.
ect which was baked In 1917 by
certain Clique in the middle west
wheel.
Another circuit tat doubtless win
get into the field again if the arrival
of spring finds peace established is
the Pacific Coast League. The slope
circuit always has been self-reliant
body and interest in the game seems
never to slump In that section. In
deed, plans have been made for dia-
mond activity in the vicinity of the
Golden Gate again this winter, despite
the war. an amateur city league hav-
ing been organized comprising the
cities of San Francisco, Oakland. Sac
ramento, Fresno, Stockton and San
Jose.
No Reforms Yet Started.
The leaders of the National Associa-
tion of Professional Minor League
Base Ball Clubs are in accord with
the opinion. generally held in major
circles. that a thorough housekeeping
is necessary in the administration of
the pastime, although the minor
leagues now have representation on
the national commission in cases in
volvinG disputes or claims between
major and minor league clubs or
leagues.
sentiment for having the game con-
Quoted by q commission OF men not
associated with promoting 1t is pro-
nounced and the name of former
!. President Taft has been proposed, in
addition to others, for its chairman,
but as far as can be learned no con-
plant Messrs. Johnson and Hermann.
Ut will be difficult matter to pry
hair Job