Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20
GRIFFITH RUMORED
BACKING, PROPOSAL
District, Maryland and Vir-
ginia Grid Teams Would
Form Loop of Six.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.


UMMER breezes still resound
with the crack of the bat,
~. the thud of the ball hitting
the glove and talk of the
coming city championship series.
There's plenty of time left for
base ball and plenty of good base
ball left, and it would appear on
the surface that only an extreme
ly optimistic soul could think Of a
more strenuous sport in this
Sweltering heat.
|. But now something else has sand
lot addicts thinking and these though*~
run into channel which entirely be-
lies the weather-foot ball,
Washington is due to receive its first
season and 1t may not all be played
by college teams either! There Is
something else in the air-sandlot foot
ball under floodlights.
Rumors have been flying thick and
fast lately and dealing with a sub
ject which may be realized ere long
1t has been reported that President
Clark Griffith of the Nationals is in
terested in the formation of a tri-
State foot ball league comprising teams
from Baltimore, Alexandria and Wash
ington.
May Be Six-cIub League.
Despite the fact that they are rlmors
only, rumors do not start from moth
ing at all. Such league is far from
Impractical, and while nothing definite
has been reported it is understood that
Griffith has talked with one or two
managers of top-notch grid clubs in
this vicinity and is enthusiasts about
the formation of such a loop, which,
in the end, would leave a champion of
Maryland, Virginia and the Capital
City.
Grifath is said to have gone as far
as to suggest six-club league. tenta-
lively comprising two teams from Bal
tin1ore, three from Washington, and an
Alexandria team. No particular clubs
were mentioned, but 1t is generally SUP
posed that the trio Of local aggrega-
tions are the Apaches, Mohawks and
the Northerns. which, for the past sew
eral years, have held a monopoly on
the District title. The Virginia rep
Mary's Celtics, long recognized as the
best IN the Old Dominion State.
Just what two teams would repre-
sent Maryland is not known, but 1t is
very likely that they would be Balti-
more teams. A league has been in
operation in the Monumental City. but
whether clubs belonging to this circuit
or outside aggregations are to enter,
Is yet to be learned.
Baltimoreans have long been visitors
here, and the locals return the calls
quite bit, competition being keen at all
times. There are several strong teams
in the Monumental City, with Irvington,
Montebello, Lansdown, Hampden and
Holmstead being the outstanding. A
fast loop it would be.
Night Games Practical.
Doubtless this suggestion on the part
of the Washington Club prexy will meet
with the unanimous approval of all
concerned as well as the multitude of
sandlot foot ball followers. Foot ball
under fioodlights is an innovation which
is still in its infancy, but from many
reports it Is quite practical. and fans
would probably flock to watch crack
teams such as these battle for the SUI
premacy of three States.
The Griffith Stadium, of course, would
be the playing fieM if such loop should
be formed. Foodlights would be in
stalled, and fans and players could ask
Tor no better park than this for the
battlefield.
Although the leading District teams
have always met before the season was
over to decide the championship, it has
not been without some warm contro-
versy before dates were fixed, eligibility
lists agreed upon, officials chosen, etc.
A well planned league, having the CO.
operation Of all teams entered, can do
away with much Of this wrangling over
details and make possible better games,
larger crowds and a clear cut to a title.
For some time now the Apaches, Mo-
hawks and Northerns have held their
games at the stadium on Sundays :,
Fairly large crowds have attended, but
1t is hoped by those boosters of night
foot ball that it can be converted into
money making proposition as well as
deciding the Championship.
SO, should Grifhth.s suggestion be
carried out and embrace the clubs men
toned, it may prove highly beneficial
to all concerned and may be Just the
thing TO boost sandlot grid activities.