The Washington times., 1923-12-01


we'll. And this includes the owne
1t is the general opinion that De-
troit would support two clubs bet
ter than does either Boston or st.
Louis, which is doubtless true. It
also probably is true that in the
event Of two clubs being estab-
lished In Detroit, the patronage
now accorded the Tigers would not
Indeed, many students of the
game believe that the attendance
ut both league games would tend to
enhance interest In the sport
town for three weeks the enthusi-
asEn Of the fans has chance to
cool of. while IL another equally
coed team was playing here while
one was away, interest in the game
would pc kept alwoys high.
That Of course, is only theory
based upon the old business pre.
cept that composition Is the life
Of trade. Only actual experience
would prove the truth OF e IN
any specific case, but those who
eRgue that way have good prece-
dent for their beIief.
- WV 4OAlA St4Ak9F NIlanIS QIOIlIeQ
when the Yankees invaded. the field
and the Yankees also received gem
erous support It has been proven
IN New York that the two. teams
can both do better because OF the
presence. OF. the other, since there
IS major league ball every day and
the fans never have a chance TO
1orget the game.
The same was true of Boston.
while two good clubs were operslt.
ing there. Only a few weeks ago.
Boston. supporting two clubs. was
considered the best ball town per.
capita in the whole country. Both.
the Braves and the Red Sox had
better crowds and made more
money than did the Braves when
they were alone in the field
The attendance fell off finally be.
cause the club management an.
Feared TO have deliberately wrecked
tneir teams and the fans could no
longer see good baseball That was
the fault OF the owners and not of
good baseball, and when the teams
begin. TO perk up bit, it seems
certain that the attendance will get
back TO what It used to be.
ST. Louis doesn't support two
teams wen unless both are win
ming. Unless they seem certain
70 win a pennant the crowds
are small. Both Of the Mound
City teams usually do well. being
MP IN the first division almost
habifually, but first division
/. teams aren't god enough for the
colhfOoted st. Louis fan, who
wants 3 pennant contender or
nothing. Therefore, when 4 Ma
siOnal League club is eventually
transferred It probably will be the
St Louis club.
The owners Of the Detroit clubl
could block any plan to bring a
National League club here. and
would do so unless convinced that
such q move would be profitable to
both teams. II a National League
club did come here and shared
Navin Field as the Yankees shared
the Polo Grounds with the Giantfl
for many years. the American
League club would derive a con
siderable income from rental, which
might offset any loss in attendance
the owners might fear.
Such a move would have to be
the result Of an amicable agree
ment, however, for 1t is against
baseball law for one league to In.
wade the territory of another and
1t is scarcely likely that such a
friendly and an1icable understand
ing can be reached yet while.
IT is estimated that Detroit will
have a population of 1000, 900 in a
short time, and then doubtless it
win be regarded as necessary to
put another team I'm the field here,
Tor the benefit Of the whole league.
One argument in favor of it is
that both clubs would make big
money in the fall, when the series
would be played on such years as
neither of the teams was Compel.
Ing in a world series.
This extra revenue, together
with the advantage Of two clubs
operating on the same field, many
hold, would more than make up
for some slight loss in daily per.
eentage, even IL such a decrease
happened.
It is also advanced by some Of
our correspondents that the putting
OF National League club in De.
troit would make the league much
more compact, geographically, and
would save clubs the great expense
or travelling clear out to st. Louis.
often only to pocket a loss for
their trouble.
1T actually happened early last
season, when the Browns were go
ing well. being in second place and
Within striking distance OF the top.
that the Tigers made trip to st.
Louis and played four games, re-
ceiVing as their share Of the gate a
sum that didn't come within Sam
or paying expenses. A short time
later the Browns came here and
played to more than 10000 spec.
tators In four days. going away
with handsome profit.
Richeson Is Leader.
Hrio r1ioL