The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-12
LITTLE LEAGUES
EYEING JOPLIN
FORCED TO WAIT
Possible Loss of Muskogee
Threatens Southwest
ern Gravely
nv "a A. BRJDCEwATER

With the minor league sit
uation in this section present
ing a decidedly complex ap-
pearance, Western association
directors are to meet in Tulsa
today to iron out their 1922
problems and make prepara-
lions for the opening of the
Season.
Joplin Cause OF II All.
Th1 w0bbl.ng OF Joplin, weakest
meuEer of the Western league, is
fhe thing that has muddied the wat
err for both the Western association
ana the southwestern league. As
The western association's meeting
today comes a week ahead OF the
Western league gathering at st. Joe
al which Joplin's fate will be de-
rided. 10 will be impossible for the
W. a. TO go ahead and wind up its
winter affairs.
II had been intended to take up
,he b. s.hedule at the meet today but
the schedule will have to wait until
it Is determined whether Joplin is to
be a momhcr OF the circuit,
The Western association has two
franchises that at present are in the
hands OF the lcaguc-Drumrisnt and
Chlckasha franchises. II is prac-
ucally certain that the Drumright
franchise will be transferred to Me-
Al.atcr. the former home of Il. y.
Daliels W. A. president. But with
a ghance 20 get Joplin as an eighth
member the probability is that the
Chickasha franchise will not bo ais
posed Of at this time.
Wlndcr Close -Mouthed.
RAY Wndcr who managed the
I-ch lckasha club last year arrived In
1rulsa yesterday for the w. a. pow
wow. He has been in Joplin for
several days. but declined to say
whether he received any assurances
there that the Missouri city would
cast It's lot with the w. A. II the
western league franchise was re-
moved Winder holds the chick
asha franchise.
The Southwestern league Is flirt-
Ing with Joplin Just as brazenly as
Is the W. A., but because of SPRING
fields proximity to the mining town
the latter organization Is believed to
have better chance.
southwestern Impcriiicd.
A regular sword of Damocles is
suspended over the head of the
Southwestern these days-the posi-
bllity that Muskogee might drop out
Of the S. l.. TO Join the Western
league in the place OF Joplin. The
loss Of Muskogee would be body
blow to the southwestern, for Mus
kogee has been and still is the back
bone OF the league. Should Mus
kogee be lost the Southwestern GER
tainly couldn't go through with its
plan to become a class c. circuit. In
deed, Il IS doubtful IL the league
could be held together, despite the
important addition Of Topeka and
Hutchinson this winter.
And there is a possibility that
Muskogee will get in the western
league. Jack Holland said so a Few
days ago in a statement in Kansas
City, and no man Is in closer touch
tkyith Western league affairs than Is
Holland
Here's the situation in n nutshell:
Joplin apparently is certain 10 get
out. Denver, says Holland, will NOT
be admitted. Lincoln has no ball
park. Muskogee. therefore, is the
next best bet It's the logical place
for the Western league to turn, II
Denver and Lincoln are eliminated.
Wouldn't Weaken Western.
Muskogee would not weaken the
western league. Supplanting Joplin
It would strengthen the circuit, ac-
tually Smaller in population than
Joplin. according to the 1921 census,
nevertheless Muskogee is a cracking
good baseball town. II has n splen-
4d downtown park, with n concrete
stadium. The people of Muskogee
voted 100000 bonds to secure a
municipal athletic park, and they
did It up In fine style.
Moreover. Muskogec has an agree
ment with the Southwestern league
which is said to be so drawn that 1t
VIII hold good giving Muskogee the
right TO withdraw from the s. l.. any
ume II has an opportunity TO get in
he Western league. This was the
stumbling block that kept Muskogee
Ia Iom getting In the Western associ-
Vsuon and was responsible for the
southwestern organization. The w.
a. wanted Muskosee without any
strings or conditions and Muskogee
wouldn't get in.
=, In view OF the general situation
mere appears little chance that the
W: A. magnates will accomplish any
'hlng material at their meeting to-
gay other than the transferring of
tne Drumright franchise to Nc
'dester which already is assured.
n