The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-14

PHILIPPINE NINE
WOULD INVADE Us
Brother of Jeff Bailey Sub
mits Unique Plan to Bring
Up Chocolate Team

That baseball is the worlds favorite
pastime is again evinced BY the following
letter received by the scribe from l.. A.
Bailey, brother OF Jeff Bailey, and
one Of the naval officers now stationed
down in the Philippines.
Should his proposition to play in a
Dixie league be accepted, it is believed
that the chocolate-colesed ball tossers
from the tropics would draw big crowds
But let's to the message:
Cavite P. Il, February g. 1918:
''Sir: Information is requested whether
or not there is city in the jurisdic-
ton of any of the minor leagues that
has no baseball team; whether or not
there is a city that would like to be
represented in league. This informa-
ton is desired with a view to taking
up the question OF entering Filipino
baseball team in your league.
1t would be necessary to have the
support of a city of sufficient size and
interest in baseball to support them.
What inducements would be given to-
wards getting team to such city and
its support while playing in the league?
! can put fast Filipino team in
league in the states, composed of Sc
lected players from these islands, who
compare favorabIy with the league teams
at home, such as Memphis, Birmingham,
New Orleans, etc. l can carry five or
six pitchers and in all about Is players.
that will make other clubs play air
tight baseball to beat them. am will
ing to try this proposition out for one
season if I can get good inducements
and support for my team. My PROPOSE
ton is to induce some city to take my
team during season in any league
that city may care to enter. 1 believe
1t will be a drawing card and there
will be plenty of snappy baseball to
please the fans.
"A reply from you would be greatly
appreciated-giving me such information
as you can get. 1t will be quite an
item of expense to get a team there,
consequently such item of expense should
be given due consideration. l would
consider an offer for my team and my
self, consisting of in all about 20 players
including myself and coach, for the next
season. provided the item of transporta-
ton to and from the United States and
a sufficient sum guaranteed to make
the proposition worth consideration.
IF there is city that will guarantee
me $500 per month from date of sailing
from Manila to date of closing of league
and transportation from Manila to that
city and return. with one months guar
anteed sum (2500 paid to me in advance
of sailing from Manila, I will enter a
fast team with sufficient pitchers and
all around players to go through the
season; defer all expenses of equipment,
salaries and board, etc, of team; ex-
penses to and from games, to be deducted
from gate receipts, which is not to be
taken from the guaranteed of $500
monthly. The board and lodging of team
while at home to be betrayed by me
out of the $500 monthly.
This team, the Cavite club, is play
ing now in the Manila league, and If
took them to the United States I could
strengthen them from other teams. The
best pitchers in these islands, such as
Cesar Jaropillo, Yara, Anna, Juanito,
Velasquez, Suares, would compose my
pitching staff.
Kindly give me your earliest reply
SO that l can make preparations for de-
parture if there is city that cares
for my teams services during the next
baseball season / could by rushing
matters. leave here in April; this would
put us in the United States in May, and
We will need but little practice due to
the fact that the team is already organ
lied and playing ball now. Our league
closes in May, but l can withdraw from
the league here in April if necessary to
go to the states. Very truly yours.
81. A. BAILEY"