Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-10
QUESTION OF GUARANTY
RICHMOND REPRESENTATIVES
NOT WILLING TO PLEDGE SUM
Nothing Definite Done Yet 10 Fix Iir-
81 Etnin League Circuit. Although
e.9t .t..se Talk IL Onttmistic.

Talk ls Optimistic.
e The followers of this bat and ball in
/, S1Sichmond are still trying to figure out
why the Virginia League officials have
i thus far found it impossible to reach 4
decision. With the close OF the meet
Ting held in Petersburg on Monday
might, which was the second meeting
of the organization, a definite stand
was thrown aside in chaos Of dis
Ecussion and the cities which wish TO
4 enter the circuit for the coming sea-
son are nearly. if not quite. as much
at sea as they were two weehs ago.
Tho delay and INDIGESTION was caused
+ by the controversy over the dropping
of a club in the league. The financial
question was. as it always has been.
(, and as IL is always likely TO he, the
f chief bone OF contention. and when the
discussion took the trend of dispute
as to which cities would pay enough
TO merit their entrance. the respective
Representatives wranglc and wranGlcd,
q but aid not advance a step,
PECULIAR CONDITIONS
SURRoIND BASERALL
This fact, is not TO he wondered AT
when the peculiar conditions now con-
fronting organized ball are considered.
Richmond. on the night OF the meeting,
seemed to be worthy of the fullest
considcra ton OF the officials. The
) c:ty. for this year al least. appeared TO
& have thrown off the mantle of nom
< paying and Il poorly supported locality.
+ The body was certainly favoiably inn
pressed with the prospects of the city,
aud as far rs anything is certain, Will
be willing TO grant a franchise at
later date
THE commission wants Richmond,
and it Will certainly make vacancy
lf.,,.
yesterday. we cannot jump hurricdly
at conclusions and say orhaud that
Portsmouth VIII bc dropped i'll prefer
cncc To any other locality. The trouble
is now to arrange the circuit and dc
ternlinc which OF the cities who want
TO get in this wear viii he given places.
Personally, l was certain Monday night
that Portsmouth would be the club
which the organization would let 60.
The subsequent stand taken by tho
representatives from that city was
only 10 protect their rights, and we
cannot condemn them for it, How
ever. their attitude brought the uucs-
lion of the formation OF the circuit 10
a standstiN for the present. This much
can be said: Richmond will be given
place this year"
RAISE RICIIMOND'S
GUARANTY TO $1,000
There will not be the slightest diff
Gully in fiNns the terms of the fran
|, chisc if the representatives from Rich
mcnd are willing TO put up the guar
anty asked by tho league. This guar
anty was raised this year TO 5000, and
the cnvoys from this city expressed
their unwillinEneSs Monday night 10
comply with the demands OF the COM
mission. I'VE are willing 10 talk tur
Key to the officials" said Messrs. Smith .
and Dula but We are fully deter
mined not TO lay down red cent as
finish
Bu, President Bradley seemed to be .
of the opinion yesterday, when he was
questioned on this matter, that there 4
would be no disinclination BY the cities
who wish 10 enter TO comply With the
demand. The circuit. he stated found
it necessary TO raise the amount from
$3.50 10 $4,000 simply because of the
discouraging conditions brought about
the war. Judging from the gen
cral sentiment in the last meeting
hc wen; on Il am sure that there viii
not be the slightest dissension this
..-.ftucr.
around Richmond then. hinged the
delay OF the officials in reaching a def
mite decision. This delay was caused
hoth by the determination of the or
GaniZation To enter Richmond in the
circuit and TO drop one Of The now
existing clubs in order 10 make room
Or il The latter fact caused the dis
cussion so warmly participated in by
subsequent wrangle.
That the Virginia League is sure OF
an eventual formation is evidenced by
fact that there are already coming
into the Office Of the president COM
munications from the best of the sport
ing papers asking for the names of the
clubs the managers OF the various
teams and the genetsf officers of the
organization. - "a
RAISE LEAGUE no
GRADE OF CLASS II
Although there is no definite evil
dence that il was brought up for dis
rGssion in the late meeting. a point
much argued in the lobby of the Pc
tsrsburg Hotel. was whether il would
be wise TO attempt TO enter the Nir-
Sinia League into the B class circuit
When asked about the probable out
rome OF the controversy. the president
stated that there would not be the
slightest difficulty in legally cnIstinr
the coming league in the ranks OF
class B. The total population of the
various cities represented in 3 cir
cult is 100000. and the census Of Rich
mond, Newport News, Norfolk. Peters
burg, Lynchburg and Rocky Mount
shows that some 100000 people would
he represented
This was the only obstacle in the
path OF higher classed league"
stated Mr., Bradley. 1T is now evident
that the people are or will be behind
their ball clubs this year Prospects
are good for successful season. Rich
nond is coming in. What more do YOU