Evening star., 1918-03-04
THREE Of MINORS
PLAN TO OPERATE
Western, Central and South
Atlantic Leagues Take Steps
to Play This Year.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

That the minor league field this year
will not be as restricted as was at first
feared is indicated by activities in the
middle west and south. where three or
ganizations are making plans to give the
fans base ball, the Western, Central and
South Atlantic leagues all having taken
action at meetings yesterday to resume
operations
The Western League this season will
consist of Des Moines, St Joseph, Omaha
Hutchinson Joplin, Sioux City and To
peka, Sioux City getting the franchise
formerly held by Lincoln and Topeka re-
placing Denver. At a continuance OF the
meeting today the league is expected TO
follow the lead of the American Associa-
ton and abolish the spitbalL 1t is ex-
pected a 140-game schedule, extending
from May 1 until September Is, will be
adopted. Thirty and fifty-ive cent ad-
mission charges to cover the war tax ana
do away with the handling of pennies Will
be agreed upon
Whether the Central League will operate
as six-club circuit this year depends
upon Terre Haute. The league directors
in session at indianapolis announced that
if that city posts the necessary $2.o0o tor-
felt and gives assurance of finishing the
season it is assured the circuit will open
with Evansville and Richmond IND )
Bloomington and Peoria, Ill. and Spring.
field, Ohio, as the other members. Fort
Wayne, Dayton, Grand Rapids and Nus
kegon have declined offers of franchises
and Rockford. H., which sought admis-
sion. was turned down because OF the
great mileage that would be entafled.
A compact circuit of six instead OF
eight clubs. with long jumps eliminated,
is planned by the South Atlantic League,
according OF officials who met yesterday
.,l,, 4
s assured of retaining its berth. as saent-
ment there is strong for professional base
ball this year, but the probable makeup
Of the remainder of the circuit has not
been announced. although an effort viii
be made to include as many of the can
tonment cities as are eligible. FINAL de-
cision in regard to operating and mem
bershp will be made al d meeting to be
held March II.
Boxing has received a great impetus
in the last half year from the attitude
Of the government toward the game
5cxing is being taught 3t all the camps.
marty of the country's best pugilists
being busy giving lessons to the sol
diers and sailors, who have profited
physically to such an extent hat the
attention of the country has been
drawn to the beRetlts to be derived,
and has given those who heretofo ore re-
garded it as a brutal and debasing
form of athletics a different estimate
of the sport. Change IN sentiment is
reflected in the recent passage of meas
ureS legalizing boxing in Kentucky ana
New jersey. other states that barred
il because of the disrepute developing
from the practices of unscrupulous pro-
moters now are planning again to per
nit bouts under proper supervision.
Contrary to the general impression.
Clarence Rowland of the White Sox is
not content to retain unchanged the
team with which he annexed the Amer
ican League remnant last year and then
sv- It on to g. triumph over the Giants
tc. tho world championship He does
not regard his club as invincibie or in
capable of Improvement. Asked recent
" if he would consider an offer from
Miller Huggins of the Yankees for a
trade the Chicago manager said:
I'm always looking out for a chance
to better conditions and improve the
ball club am managing. ] never have
been a standpatter. I always figure
that no matter how strong a fellow 6
team is, il is subject to improvement t
If Higgins has player who will help
the White Sox TIL be glad to do busi-
ness with him. That goes for every
other manager in the league