The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-01-22
SAVE BASEBALL PARK FOR CITY,
FANS ARE BEGINNING TO CRY
Jacques Burden.

Baseball fans, seemingly realizing
that the fate of the Richmond Exhibi-
ton company and its valuable park
rests with them, are beginning to take
an interest in saving the plant for
the city
The directors of the company have
made an uphill fight for two years to
maintain the property for the baseball
fans of Richmond. They have made
an enviable record in their manage
ment.
Handicapped by lack of capital in
1917 when they brought a Central
league franchise to Richmond, the d.
rectors were able to pilot club
through the season with a financial
profit, but they were unable to meet
the debts incurred in constructing the
park.
They have wrestled with this debt,
about $500, for two years. This
debt, more than any other factor, will
preclude the bringing of a league
franchise to Richmond this season,
and the use of the park by a club
this season.
Since the baseball fans have been
appraised of the situation by the re-
port of the directors Monday night,
they are beginning to seek a way out
Of the difficulty. They hope the di.
rectors will not permit the razing of
the park.
Park Is Asset.
The city is beginning to realize
that the park is a distinct asset to
the community. 1t is one of the best
plants in a minor league city of the
Middle West. Persons interested in
| IL. E.xl-sl IL
company is permitted to go out of
business, the grandstand and bleach
ers razed, the field torn up, many
of this kind will be erected here. 1t
will cost twice as much to build new
plant as the present one cost.
League baseball in Richmond was
success in 1917, not only in interest
but also financially. The club not only
paid it's own way but made money.
Prospects for 1920 are infinitely bet
ter than they were in 1917. Never
have sports been SO popular as they
are now. Never has Richmond had a
better opportunity to enjoy league ball
than now.
Three leagues are anxious to give
Richmond a berth. It's attendance rec
ord of 1917, third in the old Central,
was phenomenal. The attendance this
year would be greater without a doubt,
fans believe.
The factory league Of Richmond
proves that employees enjoy no sport
SO much as they do baseball. Men
like to play the game, and they enjoy
watching fast team play league ball
Shop men, clerks, business and pro.
fessional men are boosters for base.
ball. 1t gives them the recreation
they want. After a days work in the
factory. store or office, visit to the
ball park Is an enjoyable bit of recrea
ton. Owner and employee enjoy root
ing for their home team. They like to
spend their Sunday afternoons seeing
a game on the diamond.
Game Is Recreation.
The value Of baseball as recrea.
ton has never been questioned. Big
industrial concerns foster teams In
their organizations. Many a city would
rate itself fortunate in having a park
such as exists in Richmond and an
opportunity to obtain a franchise in a
minor league.
Geographically situated in an ideal
location, Richmond is sought for by
three leagues now. 1t has the park
and the opportunity.
Baseball enthusiasts may have the
league ball in 1920 if they grasp oppor
tunity now. The directors of the
Richmond Exhibition company feel en-
Couraged by the responses they have
received in the last 4S hours. 1t is UP
to the fans to save the park for the
city.
Attempts to make the park a sue.