Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-09
by JAMES J. CoRBETT.

The standard of baseball is much
lower today than it was prior to 1914"
declared Connie Mack. The game has
suffered UNNECESSARILY through five
seasons due TO many causes. But it
Us on its way back to moro glorious
heights than it ever knew before.
The advent Of the Federal League
dealt 10 the national game crush
ing blow. 1t disorgani2ed and prac-
1ically demoralized baseball Before
that that league came into being PLAYERS
conditions. And the youngsters who
were to form tho big leagues of years
nfterward. were working enthusiastic
cally through their knickerhocker
days and their carly teens TO develop
1hems elves 10 the highest point Of pro-
ticiency.
Players became Finnncicrs.
but the Feds came along and dis
.rupted baseball. Their offers TO stars
of the American and National Leagues
We're so tempting that scores of play
not jump used their so-called loyalty
as weapon TO club their owners into
big contracts. Instead OF devotinG
themselves strictly to playing the
financiers. AS result, their play fell
OF and the whole standard of the game
was reduced.
and all the while the fans who
loved the game ae sport became dis
gusted and reopled the parks in
decreasing numbers.
went TO it's death The baseball war
fare was ended. But not so with the
decentralization. The end Of tho out
law organization threw nearly 300
players Of more than mediocre ability
out Of Jobs.
Game Giutted With Players.
The baseball market was Elutted.
Ihe youngsters who in other years
( haNc worked along carefully TO a point
where they were to get big league
chance, figured that there wasn't any
use of their trying TO become proficient
IN baseball; they. felt that because OF
that there was little chance for them
to break into the big leagues. So they
no lonser enthused over developing
themselves.
Before there was a noticeable re-
covery. from the conditions brought
about by tho Federal League, another
blow struck baseball. It was the entry
of the United States into the war. The
call to arms swept from the sandlots,
the college diamonds and the minor
leagues, all of the youngsters who
more into irst-class major league tim
Der. II depopulatcd the whole coun-
II, Try OF the sthletic youth OF the ma
Hon, hon. ana left the major leagues but
ISIS " " from '"F0usn 1917 and
No Young Hood Available.
And SO the majors struggled
through 1915. 1917 and 1918 with but
Jew Jew recruits from the small leagues
as the time went on the men who were
major lcaguers slowed up. and, in the
ordinary course OF events. would have
replaced with young blood But. an
fortunately, there was no young blood
TO inject into the line-ups until the
war was over. And so veterans lonw
ha
The situation became so acute that II
was even necessary 10 70 into the
minors and bring back scores of PLAY
ers who had been let out OF the big
II doubt if-'.any one know. better
tnan OF the e--arcity Of talent in the
cause for four years I have henn try
ms TO find youthful stars. But / have
not succeeded
Could Not Rebuild Machine.
TN 1914 disbandei the Athletic ma
chine that had BUN; up more than
that IL would not be very difncuit
TASK for Inc 10 get together within
Two or three years another CLUB OF
championship ability
But J was doomed 20 disappolnt
mem aid not know at the time
that there was % be q Federal League
tca's entry into European battles I'm,
] Gu!ckl% came TO rcalizc how dinicuIt
was nay task. y widespread search
of the bushes revealed only f.w
PLAYERS worthy OF = chance In The
majors and most OF those failed when
put up TO the lest
Youth on snndIot. Agnin.
But now thar the war is over and
conditions again are back to normal
ana there Il 40 outlaw organization in
wreck me morale. Of the ball PLAYERS.
feel suprcmcly confident thai baseball
aurine ihe next few years viii de-
yelop higher standard than IL ever
The youth Of the nation is back
on its saudlots agalE. playing basafaif
earnestly and with increasing skill
And soon the major leagues will he
able TO reap harvest 81 stars aynn.
before the Cobbs the Speakers. iGa
Collins, the Schalks tho Johusons ana
AleNanders nave faded and passed from
VIE COP. wright 1918 by King Tca.
lures syndicate. Inc.
BlNFORD DEFEATS ATlEE