The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-18
Bismarck's Great Baseball Chance

DlOlllClN h - NISOp
The local baseball problem seems to have been solved
in principle by the Association of Commerce and, if the
service clubs will join in the proposal evolved by the
organization in cooperation with Mandan and II the
public of the twin cities will accord its support. the prac-
teal success of the sport here next summer may be as
sured. It at least is a starting point to work out some
plan, if not this particular one.
Under the plan worked out by the associations base
ball representatives, w.. S. Ayers, John Flick, John A.
Larson and Frank Murphy, baseball will be something
more than baseball here this summer. The sport Is 10
be conducted on the plane of welfare work among the
young, to be made the means of training Tor healthy
manly boys and future good citizens.
This is a new form of the national sport. Heretofore
the element of rivalry has predoninated in the seasonal
contests between the towns and cities OF the state, just as
it has in the big major leagues. The aim has been TO
supply entertainment to the communities. to inspire local
pride, If possible to excel the other fellow. II these oo-
icctiyes succeeded, they received a sort OF boiSterols
c~xaltation and the net result was the memory OF
triumphs, but nothing above the mere plane OF sport
The season ended in a process of evaporation. Especial
ly when the avaricious dream of a championship failed
to materialize and the inevitable mid-sesson slump had
buried interest and made attendance a tragedy.
BY this years plan to make baseball the conversions
Of welfare work among the boys and the awakening, akin
to the scout movement. of those attributes OF personality
which are the elements Of good citizenship. baseball here
should be Invested Of its old failures and be invested will
a ouickening interest similar to that which prevails II
the areas OF the big leagues.
The committee has let it be known that i. is depcndln:
fer tho success Of this coming season OH its plan to siel
a good manager and to bring eastern college boys here
to form the local teams of Bismarck, and Mandan. Thcs
will not only play as tho teams Of the two cities. betwcc.
themselves and with rival cities of the state. but tn
members each will exercise the role OF coach TO tn
Junior teams of the citics-thcse sponsored by the Amer
lean Legion as a boys league in the two cities. o. thcst
there arc to be possibly four teams here and three II
Mandar.
This is a plan which should appeal TO the service
clubs of each city and to the fans. In fact. these WI.
be asked to approve of it with their support. The Gle"
tails still arc to be worked out. The service clubs might
each appoint a committee to enter into the development
OF the idea with the Association Of Commerce committee
For the fans the task will be to assure the financial
success of the undertaking. The tentative thought OF tlf
association committee has been to sell tickets at $40 each
good for the season of IS games. With this fund ARD
other funds in the association budget. 1t is believed pos
sible. to put on a successful season in the twin cities
here. The committee is looking forward to contests with
the leading cities of the state as part OF the stllluluS
needed to make the plan a so,
The whole project is bound up in the course the serv'
ice clubs and the public will take toward it. The vel
fare element ought to appeal to the clubs. All CT them
are sponsoring in one way Or the other a form OF boys
work. largely Of a specializing character. Here is the
opportunity for a broader sponsorship. Not all boys are
interested or can possibly find the opportunity to be
in All club work, but all boys are interested in sport
especially baseball. This is a fact that should be applied
Us the means Of cultivating personal discipline through
the team work baseball provides. Incidentally, the as
ISOLATION plan means that good. clean sport will be pro-
vidcd Bismarck this summer if it goes through. No|
is the time for action if it is to be adopted and made a
success. The word Of the service clubs is awaited as
the next step.