The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-01-21
}. =: Sporting Gossip From Many Fields ::
Stamford WanfS To Get Franchise In Eastern LeaQue And Matter Is Discussed Today At Meeting
 Of League Held I'm New Haven

New Haven, Jan. M.---One of the most important meetings of the Hast ern League owners ever held came to order this afternoon at tho Hotel Garde at 2 o'clock. President Dan O'NeiIl presided, as usual, while others expected to attend included Secretary Leslie Stearns of Springfield, Clark P. Lane Of Bridgeport, John McMahon of Worcester, Jim Clarkin of Hartford, George Weiss of New Haven, Bill Ca rey of Springfield, Joe Birmingham of Pittsheld and 8 representative from the Waterbury club.
 Ed Walsh. the newly appointed manager of thsSBridgeport club, came to the meeting in company with
 Owner Lane or tho Park City club There is g. possibility of Chief Bender pilot of the local team, also being in on the confaD.
 The biggest point to De brought up is the disposition of the Providence franchise. The Rhode Island town has appare rently tired of Eastern league baseball, just why, is hard to imagine, but nevertheless, such is the condi- ton. Several towns are anxious to take ever the club, notably Fitchburg, Mass, Holyoke, Mass, and Stamford, Conn. Stamford is particularly apx- ious to put league ball into their town and they are said to have the backing of several influential men, with un- limited financial resources available.
 There is some doubt as to whether the Eastern magnates will look favor ably upon the application of the Con- necticut town, but one big point in their flavor is the possibility of play ing Sunday baseball there. Stamford a1ox r1i5l 10 n- CTS realize what an asset this feature is. However, it would seem that Fftchburg has the call.
 They are at present in the New
 England league, but can easily with-
 draw Fitchburg is g. good baseball town, and have supported a team
 there in good style for many years.
 Another item of considerable in'
 terest to the owners and the fans is the possibility of boost in the prices of admission to the games this year. Rather than a possibility. it is al most an assured fact, as the allowance
 by the national commission to the Eastern League to increase the sal ary limit warrants an increase in the admission fees. The fans will have 8 caHbre of baseball here this season that will rival the International League, and most certainly it will be 1 impossible to- support that kind ot 1 baseball under, the old plah of "twe ] bit admissions. The matter of a longer playing schedule will also be take1- up, anG 1t is expected that the owners vii ] handle the matter expeditiously i George Weiss, owner of the Easterr League franchise in New Haven ; wants to start the season on May 1 l two weeks ,n advance of last year and close on Sept. IS, two weeks after /! Labor Day, thus adding a month tt 1 the schedule. This means a seasor ] of 20 weeks, with 141 playing day | and a schedule of at least IA games ] Adding double headers which ha! 1 been in vogue in recent years means i the booking of at least 1 4 more game l for each club, seven at home ant seven away. Playing IA games pro i vtdes contest for each day in tn, i season, and two games on each of th' holidays, providing last years plan i !! followed.