The Washington times., 1920-05-19


1t would be impossible for them TO
thus play six or seven extra Sunday
games in New York. and such a pro-
gram would insure them against idle
ness on the first day OF the week
from the beginning TO the end OF the
season. barring bad weather Interrupt
tions.
This is, however. a serious obstacle
in overeaploitation OF Sunday base
ball in New York. 1t comes from the
owners of the local American League
club. They are opposed to the sched-
uling OF conflicting Sunday games.
and will insist on the maintenance OF
the "interlocking'' schedules which
provide for an equal division OF sun
day and holiday dates.
Don't Want Any ConfIicts-
Doubtless the two major leagues
would schedule many conflicting
games here IL both local clubs con-
| sented TO such an arrangement, but
the Yankee moguls do not favor
| splitting the patronage that way.
| They prefer to take their share of
the big days and leave the field open
| to the Giants the rest OF the time.
1t is possible that this question may
! eventually lead to a straining OF the
| cordial business relations between the
two major leagues. While there is no
immediate prospect of this difference
affecting the agreement to respect
property rights, such az players con-
| tracts and reservations, 1t may lead
to independent schedules that will
| bring the leagues into direct compe-
tition for patronage.
| If the Yankee owners stick to their
present avowal there will be no con-
! flict between the American and Ma
| tional leagues in New York unless
the joint schedule system is abapdon
ed and both local clubs are handed all
the choice dates that either can pos
sibly fill at home.
Such a break would mean that the
best attraction would get the big play
here. With two cards to choose from.
New Workers would select the one
' that carries the greater appeal. The
| position OF the home team in the flag
| race, the strength of the visiting at
| traction and the value of the individ
! ual stars on exhibition are factors
| that would be considered by the fan.
New Workers like to string with a
winner and they love the spectacular.
With two ball parks located in the
same section of the city, one or the
other would probably get the big pay
when both home teams are in the
| thick of pennant fights and the visit
| ing teams are equally attractive.
New York is large enough to pack
two big ball yards every Sunday IL
! the attraction is sufficient 1t is the
way of the fan, however. to patron
ize the best show and remain indif-
ferent to an inferior attraction
Possibly the renewal of partisan
| - q II.
this mans town might build up two
sets of rooters who would remain
loyal. but we entertain strong doubts
on this subject. New York is too
large to cling to provincial ideas in
baseball. Thousands of baseball pa
irons are visitors from other cities
and the visiting team is always ap-
plauded for good plays.
It's Different in Chicago.
Totally dissimilar conditions pre-
vail in Chicago, where the major
league teams draw their followings
from sections of the city miles apart.
In this connection il is well to re-
member that q direct split of patron
age in New York will precipitate
contests in other cities where both
| leagues operate. If the old system of
| the survival of the fittest" is re-
vived here, the American League will
certainly carry the fight into Chicago,
st. Louis. Philadelphia and Boston.
In three of the five cities-New
York, Chicago and st. Louis-the
Americans are well equipped to wage
a good fight.
In Philadelphia the Athletics are
| more popular than the Phillies, even
though neither team is extensively
patronized. The Red Sox are more
conveniently situated in Boston than
the Braves and will draw as long as
they play winning ball. This spring
the Braves made a good start, but the
Red Sox surprised everybody by do
ing the same thing. so both clubs are
being we'll supported.