The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-13
N0bLETT CALLS CENTRAL MEETING
AT FORT WAYNE ON FEBRUARY q
NosLETT's LETTER.

To Whom it May Concern-This
is to certify that the owners OF the
Grand Rapids Central league base
ball franchise, believing with 9TH
ers, that the time Is ripe for re-
organization; and, believing fur
Their. that our national game. along
with other of our athletic past
times, offers our nation its greatest
opportunity to combat the spirit
of restlessness that has already as
sumed proportions in some states,
is ready to give this city represen-
tation in organized baseball, II 1t
Is at all possible.
Purpose Of Letter.
So much has been said and writ
ten of prospective reorganization
plans that we desire to inform all
concerned just where we stand In
any plans that may come under
consideration.
We can see nothing but success
for any plans that may be adopted.
Never in the history of baseDall
have fans shown more interest IN
the game. In our own state plans
have already been formulated Tor
an eight-club league, which Will
include four eastern state cities.
A southern Michigan league also
has been proposed which will give
practically every cit ythat wants
baseball a chance to line up with
some kind OF league.
Wants Successful League.
These are instances in Michigan
only. Ohio, Illinois and Indiana
for baseball. The majors and the
larger minors are already set to
start again, and never, in our way
OF sizing up the situation, has the
interest been greater.
In our plans for reorganization,
we have endeavored to keep fore
most in mind the principles which
have, in the past, fixed the failures
and successes of minor league
baseball.
The Mileage Question.
We refer to the question of mile
age. Lacking official reports of the
proceedings at Indianapolis, when
a meeting was held at the instance
of President John C. Ryan of the
Peoria club, and Elmer Eggemeyer
of Richmond, we have been unable
to arrive at what we might safely
consider the present status Of at
fairs. We have assumed, however,
that Messrs. Ryan and Eggemeyer
will not forget this very important
item in their efforts to organize.
It is our plan to meet the demand
all around If possible. Illinois and
southern Indiana offers a field
which would give Peoria and
Bloomington the chance to get
back into the game which they
apparently crave. Terre Haute and
Evansville are two cities in Indiana
which might safely string along
with the Illinois cities.
What They Will Do.
1t is the fate of the other cities
mentioned as prospective members
that we are chiefly concerned
with. Grand Rapids and Muskegon
are ready to go into a league that
will include South Bend, Fort
Wayne and Richmond, in Indiana,
and Springfield, Dayton and Lima,
in Ohio. AS far as We have been
able to learn, Springfield and Day.
ton will have backing for clubs;
aslo Fort Wayne and Richmond,
and possibly Lima. We are I'M
informed at present as to the condi-
lions in South Bend. At any rate,
a six-club circuit is available in
the territory we have suggested
which should fill the baseball needs
of these cities to perfection.
Sets Date for Meeting.
With these resolves in mind, We
beg leave to suggest that meeting
be called at Fort Wayne for Sun
day, February %, at which time
we believe we will be able to mus
ter statistics that will show the
merit of our plan for two leagues
to satisfy the baseball ambitions of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Mich
igan.
We are inviting representatives
of prospective members Of both
leagues to attend. Respectfully,
BERT NOBLETT,
Cropd Donidc pocohon Club