The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-10-24

Ere9i0enc Ciauao Davfuson or the New England league was in Hart ford last night. He conferred at length with Walter B. Hapgeod, who last winter attempted to re- organize the former Eastern cir- when 1t seemed certain that the stability which Joe E, Carr, nation al organizer for the National asso- eiation of professional baseball leagues. demanded.
 Davidson and Eapgeod stated at they had duscussed the proposition with a class A rating, but had not decided whot their next move would be, They said that probably no further action would be taken by them until Carr arrived in the east to take personal charge N0k the organization work or to confer with them and decide on the set- up for the new organization. !. Three Strong Cities
 Davidson said that three of the his circuit during the 1888 season did splendid business and that he would urge that they be included in any league which might be formed in New England. The cities he mentioned are Worcester, Low ell, and Ne wBedford. He also said that Fall River, sister textile city to New Bedford, Is ready for league bali.
 Hapgood pointed out to David son that he had five cities in line for franchises last winter and that he thought the prospects of having at least four of these towns ready for baseball next spring were ex- celient. The cities Hapg0od had In mind are Hartford, Pittsheld, Prov idence, Springfield and New Haven.
 With the exception of Pittsfield every city mentioned has a popula- ton of more than 100000 and the combined population figures would give the proposed league a class A rating---a classification similar to that of the old Eastern league.
 If the plans mature and Q league is formed durin the winter months 1t will be the second time that cities of the New England league have combined with cities in the Connec- ticut valley-a merger Of two leagues--to form a new and strong circuit.
 O'Neil First to Merge
 The late Dan O'Neil, president of the Eastern association, and the late Tim Murnane, president of the New England league decided in the fall of 1915 that to have greater success 1t would be necessary to merge the two circuits.
 In 1916 the merger circuit start- CT, New London, Springfield, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford were the cities picked from the Eastern association. Portland, Lynn Worcester, Lawrence and Lowell were chosen from the New Eng- land. This made @ 10.club circuit, unwieldy in baseball. New London won the pennant that year with the Portland club second and Springfield third. Hart ford was in eighth place. The league was reduced to eight members on September when the Lawrence and Lowell teams were disbanded.
 From that time until the middle of the 1882 season the merger loop continued to operate, making shirts from time to time in its territory. Through the 18 and half seasons 1t was one of the outstanding base- ball circuits.
 Davidson who had been president of the New England league for six seasons, believes that the time has arrived for another transfusion of the baseball blood of the northeast ern and southwestern New Eng land cities.
 Carr, who is president of the Ma tional Football league, plans to be in the east prior to December l, 1t fa uaid