Evening journal., 1918-06-18
BIC LEAGUES MAY
MERGE FOR SEASON
Enforcement of July | Draft
Order May Find Only
One League
EXPECT EXEMPTION
RULING THIS WEEK

The major leagues are marking time
iwaitlng a definite announcement from
HE Provost Marshsls Office on his
Interpretation Of the fsht or work
order which Is 10 go into effect on July
1. The order as Il was originally franz
! ed included all men OF draft ago par
hcipstins In professional sports and eX-
rmptcd actors, Professional baseball
considers that It's calling is also a pub
lie entertainment, and that they should
b. considered In the same class as ac-
iors.
Numerous baseball players IN the
major leagues, who are within the
draft age, hut who have bsan placed in
deferred classes because of dependents
VIII not know where they stand unnl
. further notice Is received from Washing
ton, Such notice has been promised
some time this week, In The mean
time, unless Che bail players are ex-
empt, the major leagues will have a
difficult task on their hands reerrang.
ins their forces to enable them 90 play
out the season,
II The original order stands as II
was iirst announced. both the National
and American Leagues will be so
badly disorganized that readiuStmens
OF both circuits may be necessary. The
club owners have been busy making
plans, and In case there Is no exemp-
lions from the ocler, il Is likely that
the baseball season will be finished
with only one league playing.
lt Is believed by many club owners
that the light or Svork order would
mean that both leagues would have 90
pool their players into one elght-club
circuit In cities like New York where
each league Is represented by a club,
the players left over would have 60 be
formed into one club. Minor league
players under and over the draft age
and veteran major league players who
have retired from the game would have
20 be called upon 10 MI out the renks.
The outloom Is not promising.
The conditions In the minor leagues
are already serious, and the Southern
Association, one Of the most prosper
Gus OF the minors, has already decided
90 close its gates at the end OF this
month. The Texas League, another
prosperous bush league in the past
may also decide TO shut up shop. 10 Is
doubtful. also, n the two largest minor
leagues-the New International and the
American AssociatiOn-will be able 10 /
see the season through.
Thus far tbs major leagues season |
has been surprisingly successful. That
there IS a demand for professional base
ball has been shown by the large at
tendance throughout both circuits.
Here in New York there has been no
difference from other seasons, and the
large Saturday and holiday gatherings
at the Polo Grounds would indicate
that, as far as the public Is concerned,
there is a desire for the game to con-
tinue.
The baseball club owners realize that
the government can make no special
discrimination In favor OF baseball
players, and they are recOnciled TO get
along as best they can II the players
within the draft age are compelled 20
take I'D some other kind OF work. The
iump in railroad fares has already
proved a great additional burden on
the baseball clubs. and although tho
government will be asked TO exempt
the ball clubs and theatrical companies
from the new rates, there is no indi-
cation as yet that such exemptions
will be made.
The majority OF the club owners
favor the continuance OF the game even
under conditions where the standard
OF play would be far below what the
baseball fans have been accustomed TO.
The large amount OF capital invested
and the binding con,ractual obligations !
Winch the clubs have assumed have
been put forward as reasons why eX-
emption should be made for the play
srs who are outside Of Class a. in the
draft.