Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-21
MAJORS READY TO START
BIG LEAGUES BEGIN PLAY
WITH GAMES WEDNESDAY
Faces OF Veterans VIII MinrIe with
iho"e OF Youthful ind Speedy
Newcomers.
GBy Associated Press

VIII usher in another baseball season
under conditions which the major
league magnates, players and fans
nope and expect will be more fruitful
than those of the past few years. With
the blight of war lifted from the ma
tional sport 1T is the belief in all sec
tons that the game will rebound to
the heights OF popularity which II en-.
joyed previous to the devastating
sweep of worldwide hostilties
League officials and club owners.
with this idea in mind have devoted
inc past few months to preparing for
new period in baseball. and their
handiwork is evident in many dircc-
lions. Radical changes were made In
the methods and system OF conduct
ing the big leagues at the annual
meetings of the inagnates Individual
The strength Of their forces and
through the team managers have pur-
chased or traded players in order to
round out formidable Combinat lions.
Both Circuits Seem Stronger
1t would appear as though both the
National and American circuits we're
stronger and better balanced than has
pen inc cir-e In recent seasons. Be-
way 1t is expected that the last OF
me diamond stars now serving with
will have dored the khaki for base
pail flannel Many will rcappear upon
Inc, tnG neid with glamor heretofore
backed by sentiment containing
something more than the admiration
due the player for his playing ability
Mingled with faces OF returning
veterans; who have won honors on
the battle fields OF Eurc?. as well AS
on the diamond, will be seen those of
newcomers, bringing the speed, agility
and zest OF youth TO the national game
from the training camps OF the south
ding play Of several recruits. who
promise to quickly establish them.
result OF thcir unusual skill with bat
and ball.
A Pnrt of National Life.
II ia this constantly changing pic
lure OF personnel, playing ability and
combat. tempered With the sentiment
and traditions Of baseball. that Sns
established the sport SO firmly through
out me nation. Old stars may fade,
zenith in their places and club own
ers come and go with little apparent
erect upon the popularity Of the game.
own through prosperous and dcpress-
ing seasons, because II Is baseball and
Americas game. Tradition had welded
nations life.
For more than forty years the Ma
tional League has marshalled It's play
ing forces each spring and sent rs
teaihs away on another Dcnnant chase
Just as II VIII do again during the
next Few days. Since 1876. Twenty-Five
cities nave been represented, ut one
with from three TO twelve clubs .fin-
lSnlnS the pcnnant races
Boston leads In number of ch,imnion-
SHIPS won as the teams OF that city
nave accounted for thirteen peunants
York third with eighth. OF the forty
one remnants Eastern clubs have cap
tured, twenty seven and the West four
teen. In the American League four
ton in 1900. Philadelphia and Boston
nave won six and five Dcnnants re-
while Chicago captured four
and Detroit three.
shorter Senson TIL. Year.
This year the clubs face shorter
season and pennant race OF lao games
In place OF the usual l5i. When the
with Chicago at St. Louis, Cleveland ut
Detroit. Philadelphia at Washington.
and Boston at New York. on the
American League circuit; and. Brook
phia. Pittsburgh at Chicago. and ST
Louis at Cincinnati. in the National
League. the 1919 season will be about n
week later in starting than has been
the case in past years
What effect, IL any. this will have
upon the pennant races is uncertain at
this time. Managers and magnatcs
hope for settled wea Their and expect
that II normal temperature conditions
prevail the teams will be able TO play
giles with the lead shifting frequently
should make the baseball season OF
1919 one OF the brightest periods in
the annals OF the game.