Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-15
Sport NeWs
CONNIE MACK
NOT ALARMED
Two Years of 1dleness Will
Make no Change in Popu-
larity of Baseball.

Chicago, Aug. 15.-While baseball
magnates contemplate sorrowfully
their dwindling Golfers, and with the
first of September aver in mind look
with apprehension toward the future
the "Old Fox" Of baseball sees no
cause for alarm.
Neither, according to his views, will
the recent embroglio at Cleveland in
which both National and American
league magnates participated in
"swatting" Ban Johnson, endanger the
position the American league presi-
dent occupies with regard to the
sport in general.
Mack's conclusions may be summed
up as follows:
Unless the war continues two
years or longer. baseball will feel no
permanent i'll effects.
2-There will be no break in the
relations between the American and
National leagues.
3-The seeming unpleasantness de-
veloped at Cleveland will be forgotten
and Ban Johnson's prestige unimpair-
ed.
mo reorganization Of the a.
tional commission with a view to the
elimination of Garry Hermann is
contemplated.
5-American soldiers and sailors
will not permit baseball to die Out.
Discussing baseball Mack said:
Whether baseball will suffer per-
manent injury as the result Of the war
depends entirely upon the wars dura-
ton. Unless it lasts several years.
baseball will retain all its favor and
popularity. OF course the gates will be
closed next year. as it would be fool
ish to attempt to keep the game go
ing with men outside the present draft
age limits. Some Of the club owners
undoubtedly will be hit hard bv idle.
ness, but I doubt whether in any case
the blow will prove fatal.
When the var is over, the greatest
baseball reaction in the history Of the
game will result. The sport cannot be
forgotten when o'is being played in
every post, camp and cantonment in
the United States and overseas.
is no donger Of a break in
relations between the two leagues due
to the law suit I filed involving Pitch
er Scot Perry. I anticipate a. satisfac-
tory adjustment of every difficulty
during the winter.
Is necessary to take into consideration
the fact that the magnates are under
great stress, due to the uncertainty of
war conditions. It is a period to test
the character Of men in all lines Of
~endeavor. Club owners have not vet
recovered from the shock of having
their business classed as n~on-essential
until this shock is absorbed, cha
ot1c conditions must prevail. I think
we all have underestimated the wars
immediate necessities,
There is little likelihood that the
national commission will be e-organ
lzeo with Garry Hermann omitted
from he roster. I can see no reason
to complain Of Herrmann's work. 7
consider it very satisfactory.
III the war continues longer than
two years, all the stars Of the first
magnitude will have passed on: GER
tain owners probably will withdraw
under financial pressure and the coun-
try may have been subjected to such
a drain both as regards finances and
man power that means to carry the
game on may not be at once available.
But SO far as hurting the game per-
is concerned, such an
the long rum, will boom baseball, The
environments are developing thousands
OF novitiate fans"
Regarding the set-to at Cleveland.
during which several magnates oppos-
ed President Johnson's proposal tn
play h worlds series before septem-
Der !. Mack said: n
There is not the slightest chance
ltnat the American league will dron
Ban ms or limit his powers. I
oelieve thai a majority, OF the men
VINO the meeting at sCleve-
lana which voted down Johnson's pro-
}DO9dl To end tho nooW4a ~~ A-..~L 40