New-York tribune., 1918-07-27
Baseball Magnates Accept
Secretary Bakers New
Ruling Philosophically
BY w. ]. Macbeth

A worlds series in dog daysl Can
you picture it, boys? Well, it might
have something on q weeks rain in
Philadelphia or a weeks snow in Bos
ton. Weather during dog days is
usually settled and dry, If hot, and
it is no moral certainty that right
about this time Of drouth the annual
baseball classic Of 1918 will not be
fought.
Indeed, 1t will be fought at that time.
or shortly afterward. if those in con-
troll Of the big leagues have sense
enough to forget their petty bicker-
ings and prejudices long enough to
make the best out of somewhat sorry
situation.
Locally the latest ruling Of Secre-
tary Of War Baker, which gives the
forces of organized baseball respite,
or rather grace, until September l from
the application of the work or fight"
mandate, has been accepted most philo
sophically: 1t is interpreted as sign
that the Administration is anxious to
spare as far as possible an institution
Of sport SO popular as the national
game. Every one feels that step so
drastic has been taken only in the face
of a grave situation, and every one is
ready and willing to make whatever
sacrifices may be entailed.
Club Owners to Meet
While none of the local magnates
would permit himself to be quoted
officially as to organized baseball's
plans for the future. preferring the
members Of the National Commission
to speak for the whole family, 1t was
learned on absolutely reliable au
thority that an effort was being made
to bring the interested club owners to-
gether in joint session within the next
day or two in order to arrive at some
definite policy. This joint meeting will
doubtless be held in New York the lat
ter part Of the present week.
1t is known that the National League
is in sympathy with a plan attributed
to Ban Johnson of winding up the reg
u lar playing seasons of the big leagues
about September l and beginning i'm
mediatcly play for the worlds cham
pionship between the respective pen
nant winners of the National and Amer
lean leagues. This would enable the
prospective champions to present their
full strength as represented in the
present line-ups, for according to law
the players will have ten days grace in
which to secure essential employment
after September l, and in that time the
classic might be decided easily enough.
May Complete Schedule
The National League is hopeful of
winding up the present season in bust
nesslike fashion. For this reason it
will present to the rival American
League in joint meeting suggestion
to play out the full schedules before
September I by doubling up games
daily. In this way there would be
ample time to complete the 1854 games
scheduled before September /, allow
ing for the ordinary run of unfavorable
weather in the interim.
If this sensible scheme of crowdng
eleven weeks play into six-whicll
would guarantee better business every
whore should be adopted, it might
easily prove saviour to the national
game. 1t would guarantee real maio
league ball for this season and the
worlds series at least. and it would
give the promoters ample time to re
build their fences for 1919 with youths
and veterans beyond the draft age, pro-
vided the war situation was not more
favorable next spring.