The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-17
ORGANIZED BASEBALL
IN BIG QUAKER CITY
GONE TO SEED, MENkE
nv FRANC q. MENKE

Semi-pro baseball in Philadelphia IS
outdrawing the Phillies.
Crowds ranging from 5000 up to
$4,000 are paying money to see the
semi-pros in action.
There's not merely food for reflec-
ton in that statement for Organized
Baseball leaders-but there's dan
ger signal. The condition which ex-
lists in the Quaker City today is the
most astonishing in the games his
tory. Yet, in another sense, 1t is not
astonishing at all.
Ever since William F. Baker assum-
ed control of the Phillies, he has pdr-
sued a policy ordained to ALLEVIATE
the affection of even the most ardent
baseball fan. Instead of trying 10
build up a team so that Philadelphia
might be proud OF it, he has dellber-
ately wrecked each and every ma
chine which seemed formidable.
Baker has sold Alexander, Killifer,
Meusel, Bancroft, and others. He re-
tanned only the culls Of baseball; men
too old or too mediocre to be wanted
anywhere else. And the team he has
assembled as representatives OF the
Nationa. League in Philadelphia are
a disgrace 10 major league basepail.
Certainly it's an outrage to charge
major league prices TO see them play.
Expected Good Crowds
Baker though. that Philadelphians
were so essentially Of the boob variety
that they would people his ball PARK
no matter whas sort of cub he recruit
ed to operate under the Phille banner.
But he erred N that ides~
Certain sportsmen in Philadelphia,
disguised by The Baker tactics. and
yearnlng to see some sort of good
baseball played, began 70 back semi
+p:o teams. They engaged only good
player s-men who had not merely ma
tive ability, but plenty of fire, dash
and pep" They steadied the lineups
with once-time players of the majors.
Eventually a real rivalry between the
teams representing different PhDadel-
phia districts spyang up.
The result was ciowds-and crowds
and ever increasing ccowds Semi
pro ball made a great hit with the ma
tives last year Whenever the teams
of rival districts battled there was al
ways big band of rooters on hand
to lend vocal aid to their favorites.
. Co In Strong
The games took on the aspect and
the spirit of collegiate football COM
bats and the players threw their whole
hearts and souls into the combat Phil
adelphia came to see once again base
ball as baseball should be, played; with
the mind, the arms, the spirit-and to
the last ounce of energy.
So successful was semi-pro baseball
in Philadelphia last year that one OF
| the hackers built a ball park which,
in certain ways, is cose rival of some
of the big leagues. It's known as Shetz-
/ line field, seats nearly 11.000-and can
be made to seat 10000. 1t has regu.
lation major league playing field.
Semi-pro ball not only started on
with a hurrah this spring-it got un
der way with boom and a thunder
like Niagara. Shetzline field at times
| hasn't been large enough to house the
crowds which are getting more base
ball for % cents, So cents and so cents
than they've seen in the Phillie play
ground for years. Enthusiasm runs
riot. New semi-pro fans are being
made every day.
/ OGSSTIln9 0IdHudIu
And each new day many of the low
/ ers of baseball who have remained
| faithful to the Phillies, largely fol
memory's sake, are deserting-and be
! coming semi-pro converts.
| Why not?
| For a fan wants to see contest on
! the diamond He sees none when the
Phillies are in action, for no matter
what club they face, it's to 1, 8 tc
/, or to 1 that they'll lose.
And so Philadelphia is doing out tc
big. league magnates everywhere some
| thing of a warning-and one which is:
| "Give big league towns big league
baseball, or We'll hurdle to the semi
pros where we get run for oul
money; where we can get the thrill
and the Joy of seeing baseball strug
gles-not slaughters of the home town
/ team"
Copyright 1921 BY King Features
| Syndicate, IDc.)