The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-23
Oklahoma Welter to Battle
ThOrp in Oklahoma City Ring
SEMI.PR0 BALL
LEAGUE SUCCESS
Commercial Organization
Thrives in Illinois
Cities

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Jan 22-Or-
ganized to promote physical and re-
croational activities among the
members OF the commcrciai, in.
dustrlal and fratcrnal organizations
Of the cities OF Champaign and ur-
bana. the Commercial Baseball
League Of Champaign, perhaps the
only league OF It's kind I'm the coun-
try, this spring begins its second sea
son with ten base ball clubs. repre-.
senting various walks In the two
cities
Industrial leagues have been es-
tablishcd throughout the country
during the last few years but az
far as Is known there is no league
other than the one here, which IL
operating as II does on strictly
amateur. no admission. no profit
basis, and can boast OF the Success
OF tn" league here.
with eight baseball teams. repre-
sonting railroad men, soldiers
lodges, lumber yards, and players
engaged in various kinds OF work.
the league was Originally organized
in 1920, and played full season. at
n cost OF $3.50 to tho organization.
At the seasons end, industries and
took note of the work that had been
accomplished through the organiza-
tion. The chief workers OF the Twin
Cities who were able 10 actively on
gage, and TO furnish amusement for
those whose age did not permit them
to cavort about "A baseball field.
A Cosmopolitan list.
Employers of great number OF
men found that the league was pro-
viding a certain amount OF content
ment for employees of other con-
Germs, and when the 1920 season APP
heared, the list of entries was great
er than the league o fnations.
AZ TO organization the league has
baseball commission Of it's own.
This commission is composed OF
five men beside the president and
secretary. Duties OF tho commits
sioners have been arranged under
the following plan:
A commissioners of players. whose
duties involve all dealings with the
players. such as transfers from one
team to another, eligibility and the
like.
A commissioner Of grounds, who
has fun charge OF the grounds used
hv the league for athletic purposes
Under his supervision the league has
leased tract Of land and has given
70 the CITY Of Champaign, com
munitv athletic park. The park Is
open to school children for any ath-
letic events they might have.
a commissioner OF finance is
necessary this year, despite the fact
that the league operated during 1920
at an expense OF only $3.50. The
missioner OF finance was re-
quired because Of the community
athletic park undertaking, and the
fact That the league will not charge
admission fees TO any of its games.
During the coming season one game
will he played each day at the
leagues park, excepting SUNDAYS,
and the only fund possible for the
league will he through contributions
from spectators. This fund when nc.
cumulated at the end of tho season
will be divided among the players
of the ten teams. the winning team
taking the big end of the purse,
whatever it might he
Power Of judge Lands.
All the rules and regulations OF
the league, and their Interpretation
are left to one commissioner for
final adjudication.
The umpiring problem In an or
ganization of this sort is n puzzle of
its own. and for that reason another
IN " WV
OF directing tho umpiring staff.
Each Of the teams in the league
represents some organization or So
city. Each team has a representa-
tive" whose status Is similar m that
of "owner" in the big league, and
under the representative is the man
ager. Only bona fide residents OF
the Twin Cities OF Urbana and
Champaign are eligible to play.
The Commercial Baseball commits
sion also has under its jurisdiction
two kid" leagues, for boys in Cham
paign and Urbana under 16 years OF
age. These two leagues have from
six to eight teams. each year. and
tho best players from the kid"
leagues later are given an oppor-
tunity to play on the Commercial
league teams. Two who played in
the league last year have signed con-
tracts for 1921 with professional