The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-05-10
Lack of Experienced Play
ers is Cause of Leagues
Action to Help Weaker
Clubs to Build Up
Strength - Must Reduce
Player Limit by June 1.

New Haven, May ia new waiver
rule, designed to meet the shortage in
experienced players and to assist the
weaker teams in building up their
playing strength, was adopted yester-
day at a special meeting at the Hotel
Taft of the directors of the Eastern
Baseball League. The rule provides
that each club must reduce to the
player limit by June /, and that any
owner releasing a player must notify
the other club owners 4S hours in adj
vance of his action. in order to give
them opportunity to obtain the man
if they wish, the first application re-
ceived being given the preference.
The directors were in session nearly
two hours and discussed plans rela-
tive to the opening of the season. All
seemed to be of the opinion that the
circuit, as now composed, will be
either a success or a bust from the
start and they have sound reason Tor
believing that they will never repent
their venture, despite the worldwar.
First among these is the fact that
they have an almost perfect circuit
with mileage reduced to a minimum
and that in many other respects the
league will operate on far more
economical basis than it ever did be-
fore.
Probably the most disappointing
feature of yesterdays session was the
failure of Edward ]. Dugan, the new
owner of the New Haven club, to at
tend. Several local business men
waited in the lobby of the Taft to
greet the new magnate and appeared
very much disappointed upon learn
ing that he was not present. Dugan
it was explained, had been called
away on business earlier in the day.
A report developed just prior to the
meeting that Dugan intended to sell
the club but none of the magnates ex-
pressed any knowledge of it. 1t was
said that the reason for holding the
meeting here was to play particularly
to New Haveners and get at least one
local man interested in the franchise
President O'Neil explained, however
that Dugan still holds the club anC
will continue to do so, as far as he
knows. The name of Fred Orr of the
Ninth ward, who is a personal FRIEND
of Dugan, was mentioned as a posi-
BILE purchaser of the club. The ru
NOR persisted that Dugan merel.
bought the club for someone els
and that he will get it off hi
hands before the season open
a week from next Wednesday. Du
gan's silence has caused a whole 10
of surprises and the fans are at los
to understand it all. He took posses
sion of the franchise over thre
weeks ago and has yet to divulge an,
of his intended plans.
Two days ago it was announces
that Danny Murphy would agai
pilot the New Haven club but as we
no official confirmation has bee
Forthcoming from Dugan. Yester
dys bulletin from Secretary Farrel
announced that Joe Shannon, Ne1
Ravens leading hitter a year age
had been traded to the Baltimore clu
of the new International League. Tn
players which the locals are to receiv
in the deal have not been disclosed.
Tommy Corcoran, former big leagu
star and later Federal league um
pire, yesterday made application t
President Dan O'Neil for an arbiter
berth in the Eastern League. Co!
coran sat in the lobby of the Hot
Taft throughout the meeting and cor
ferred with O'Neil Immediately after
wards. Corcoran umpired the series
the South between the Yankees an
Braves with great satisfaction.