Evening journal., 1922-12-18
DEFIANCE ANSWERS
SNAPPERS STORY

sports Editor, Inc evening journal;
Dear Sir-with direct references
to the letter signed>by Manager Pat
terson OF the Southside Snappers in
your invaluable sporting columns on
wednesday evening IN which he laid
claim 10 the second class football
championship Of the State, submit
below all preliminary arrangements,
conversation, etc, that were point
Ing towards a game with the South
side Snsppers, but which through no
fault Of ours could not be maturd
You will recall that toward the
close OF the football season three
teams stood out from all the others
due TO their conspicuous SLOWING on
the gridiron. The three teams in
Southside snappers and Defiance
Academy. We had a game pending
with West Wilmington for several
weeks, the question OF the grounds
on which the game was 20 be pl-yed
being the main drawback. We finally
consented 10 play West Wilmington
on the grounds and eliminated them
by a IL 10 score.
I Immediately got in communica-
ton with Manager Patterson OF the
Snappers and 10 was agreed that we
we're TO meet IN the Offices OF The
Morning News at a specified date.
During the course OF the meeting
several controversies arose without
a compromise. The first was as 10
,..Lo-o 4ha cam. ~w.e 80 y. nfawaN
We felt that, inasmuch as we IA
vored West Wilmington by playing
on their grounds, we should at least
have one game played on our field
While trying 10 effect a compromise
on the grounds question the meeting
switched of in some manner as TO
the players eligible for the game.
We protested on the name OF
that they had listed as an
eligible. When we presented our list
hey also protested on the name OF a
,choolboy which we had on our list.
We suggested that both names be
stricken out as eligibles but the
snappers dissented Their attitude
appealed TO US like they were tell
ne US who they were going 10 use
md at the same time telling us who
We were going 10 use" It could be /
cen that no compromise was TO be |
cached. although Manager Patter-
on and myself agreed to another
Meeting which was TO be called at l
he Offices OF The Evening Tor-nal.
70 meeting was held, however.
At the urgent request OF my play
rs I called Manager Patterson on
he phone Monday night OF last week
oping that we might be able TO play
efore the weather became incle-
1ent was much surprised when
Q Informed me that they had closed
heir season and would no. play any
lore games. However the brown
erby' was won when the Snappers
anne out and claimed the title on
night because they were
nable to arrange a game with De-
ance Academy" Immediately
allied Manager Patterson on the
hone and asked him to explain the
-~-v in the paper. He Immediately
Is claimed all knowledge OF having
printed. I then asked him about
laying the game and he replied that
1eir season was closed and they
-ould play no more.
The above will cover he Defiance
de OF the effort. To the impartial
ms it can be seen that we have not
led TO run out OF game with. the
nappers. We have held the second
ass title for two consecutive years
nd during that time we have Y { 20
,se a game to a local team. We see
o reason why we should not claim
ie title again this year. The fact
lat we held II last year AMI II has
OF been taken from us this year
lould give us undisputed possession
Z II.
However. we do not want TO close
lie season without playing the Snap :
ers and II the latter want TO play. !
-anager Patterson knows where to
all.
In closing I hope this will be the
st season for dispute in the sec
nd class championship. We will
adly consider entering any league
ext year that will eliminate all
luabbles and can see no reason why
lie league should not be as big a
recess as the Wilmington Football
I thank you for your valuable ,
ace which gives us an opportunity
presenting our views to the sport
8 public.
Yours sincerely.
NJ. c. MERRILL.
Manager Defiance Academy.
December II. 1922.