Evening star., 1922-01-16

Base ball hackers in the east must
begin to realize that the Pacific coast
is all of one side of the United States
which feels that its development in
everything that has to do with sport
gives it rights which are co-equal
with those of other parts of the
United States.
The present domination of base ball
is assumed by men most of whom
have had nothing to do with the de-
velopment of the national game in
any way. but are simply self-consti-
tuted bosses insisting upon sole
authority, and who are recruited from
all lines of occupation. They are
.'bosses" because they have bought
in." They bought in" simply because
base ball appeared to be good spec
ula.'an and not because they were
particularly interested in it as
sport.
Independent in Isolation.
The owners Of the base ball clubs of
the Pacific coast are quite as well
aware of that fact as others and they
are not in the least overwhelmed by
any attitude which may be assumed
by organized base ball. They are too
far away to be bothered much by
what organized base ball thinks
1t is seemingly overlooked that the
Pacific coast once before went in
dependent and was so successful in
II l.idI vi 6dHi1Cu uoSo oaAi ~
the Pacific coast and begged the or
ganization to come back.
The writer happened to be party
to the conversation which was held in
formally with one of the Pacific coast
owners when negotiations were opened
to bring the Pacific state ball clubs
back to the fold. The man from Cali
fornia never hesitated a moment as to
where ne stood. He frankly said that
so far as he and most of his associates
were concerned. they did not care a rap
whether they were amalgamated with
organized base ball or not. For the
sake of convenience they might join the
organization again, but they had not
experienced the least difficulty since
they had been separated from it.
What Coast Men Asked.
They would respect the reserve rule
and they would respect contracts. and
what could be more fair They would
not. however, give to the cities of New
York, Chicago and SO on the right to
take eight of the best players that they
might develop simply because New
York, Chicago and so on were members
of an organization which said 1t could
help itself to players Of other clubs at
its convenience. Give US the right to
draft from New York and Chicago and
your other clubs and weswill talk busi-
ness
THAT would make you a major or
EanIZatlon, was the reply.
Whats to prevent?" was the quick
answer Our cities have as much
right in base ball as yours. Some day
they will be as large or larger, for
all any of US know. Moreover. even
if they never were it doesn't alter the
fact that we have a perfect right to
consider ourselves what we will, SO
long as we pay the bills
That expresses the attitude of the
Pacific coast in base ball Whether it
comes now or later. the time is ap-
preaching when the Pacific Coast
League will ask a major league clas-
sification. and IL 1t doesn't happen to
be answered in the affirmative will
tA&9 one on it's own account.
No Conflict of Sections.
n would be absurd for the major
leagues to fight such q move. because
they do not need to fight it. There
Is absolutely no conflict between the
sections. The Pacific coast is raising
enough boys to put together profess
sional base ball teams, and it is go
ing to continue in the boy business
with the same success that it has
had in raising big oranges and big
melons.
Copyright, 1927