The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-05
Double A Circuits Appear to
Have Launched Effective
Lobby Crusade.
MAGNATES IN SESSION
Bert Niehoff to Manage
Louisville, IT'S Said.
BY FRANK GETTY,
United Press Sports Editor


more than 500 baseball men from
the United States and Canada in at
tendance, the national association,
which embraces the thirty minor
leagues, formally opened its annual
meeting here today. Seldom has
there been a larger attendance.
When the delegates went into
session today it seemed likely that
the much discussed draft problem
had been settled in advance.
The international League, The
Pacific Coast League and the Ameri-
can Association went into the meet
ing with united front against any
attempt to force upon them the uni
versal draft, or right to selection"
as the majors prefer to call it.
Head OFF Trouble
A number of minor officials had
resolutions to propose embodying &C
ceptance of the draft by all minor
leagues, but the class AA magnateS
had been working quietly and
effectively during the last two days
ard anticipated no difficulty in
maintaining their previous OPP
position to any such proposition.
If the national association, In
which each minor league has one
vote, succeeded in passing any leg
islation contrary to the three big
Glass AA associations, the latter
were prepared to withdraw and
form a baseball organization of their
own.
Leaders of the opposition to the
universal draft felt, however, that
such drastic action would not be
necessary. They had canvassed the
field and believed before the meet
ing opened that they had the
weight of opinion on their side.
Big Leaguers Present
More major league magnates and
managers than ever before followed
the minors into the annual meeting
of the national association, were on
hand today, angling for players and
following the proceedings carefully.
Presidents of both major leagues,
and from one to a half dozen rep
resentatives of every major league
baseball club were waiting in the
lobby of the King Edward hotel
when the minor leaguers trooped up
the stairs to start their meeting.
Bert Niehoff, who recently re-
Gently resigned as manager Of the
Atlanta team, will be the new pilot
Of the Louisville Colonies, it was re-
ported today. He was in conference
with Owner Knebelkamp and Bust
ness Manager Neal and terms we're
being discussed. He is certain to
take the joe, it was said, if the club
bosses promise to get him some
players.
Nearly all magnates agreed that Indian
apolis made a good deal by getting Pete
Monahan, first sacker, for Burrus and
Florence.
s+ The Ind indian an, club bosses have Pitcher
Bidding is Vey The Ne@ York a9 Gahts
Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates are leading
in the negotiations for Steve and it was
luG OldUJS udQ topped Lle
Pirates price. Swetonic, who is here, pre-
terS Pittsburgh, for he lives there.
indianapolis is trying hard to bring
about the return of Catcher Roy Spencer
and for that reason Pittsburgh is said to
have the "inside" in the bidding for
Swetonic.
Lefty Liefeld is said to be the leading
candidate to manage st. Paul. owner
Connery said he had forty applications.
Jimmy linn, veteran right-handed
pitcher with Kansas City. has been sold
to the Cleveland Americans for Out
fielder Gerk4n, cash and two other play
ers. zinn has been an A. A. star for
years.
Wilbur Good, veteran outhelder, has
signed to pilot the Atlanta club.
The American Association win open itg
1929 campaign April 10. Milwaukee will
open at indianapolis, Kansas City at Louis
Vile, Minneapolis at Toledo and st. Paul
at Columbus.
Fred Haney. brilliant third sacker Of
the indianapolis team, is trying to land
the job Of managing the Seattle Coast
League Club. 1t is said Owner Perry has
promised not to stand in the way If Haney
secures a Class AA pilot post. Haney lives
in California and prefers to play on the
coast.