Evening star., 1940-01-05
By WILLIAM G. BRAMHAM,

BY WILLIAM G. BRAMHAM,
President National Association of Profess
sional Baseball Leagues.
DURHAM, N. c., Jan. 5.-There
is a popular saying that the first
100 years are the hardest. Baseball
has just completed its first century,
after a splendid centennial observ-
ance during the past year. We in
the minor leagues are looking
toward 1910 with a confidence born
of the success of the past.
The first 100 years may be the
hardest, but we are not going to
relax simply because we have passed
that difficult milestone. There is
the great heritage of a great sport
behind us and We must perpetuate
it. Such results are obtained only
by the continued application of the
principles which we champion and
by ceaseless effort to give the sports
loving public of North America the
best that baseball has to offer. Sue
ceeding in that, we have no reason
to fear for the next 100 years.
Public Loyal to Game.
The season of 1889 was, perhaps,
the best the minor leagues have en-
joyed in their long history. Ex-
elusive of the playoffs and post
series which were staged, our Al
leagues drew a total of 1880 900
paid admissions, remarkable in
crease of 100000 over the previous
season.
One cannot scan these figures
without feeling an appreciation for
the loyalty of the baseball public
and a realization that the game
must offer something of wide appeal
Already we have added one new
league to the National Association
roster for 1910 and several more
are in the process of organization
The spread of the game into Canada
has been most gratifying and, while
nations across the sea are in the
midst of strife, it is source of
much satisfaction to know that our
neighboring government in Canada
looks to baseball as one Of the effec-
tive mediums to relieve the war
worried minds of its people.
More Legislation Needed.
In the United States, too, we look
upon baseball as a common ground
where all men may gather to
enjoy clean craftsmanship and hard
competition which leave pleasant
memories, rather than rows of white
crosses on the plots adjacent to
battlefields.
At our centennial convention in
Cincinnati we accomplished much,
and the desire to cooperate and to
learn, as expressed by our club
officials. was more pronounced than
it ever has been.
Some points OF legislation which
arose at Cincinnati left some of our
members in a fog. Some of the
problems were exaggerated and due
to misunderstanding. 1t is my
OPIllOlA C1ldU Vic WILL ILL
short order, and that when the mis-
understandings have been clarified,
we all shall clearly see minor league
baseball stands stronger and better
equipped than it has in many years.
Aim to Better Business.
To that vast throng which loves
and patronizes the game of baseball,
I give assurance that we realize our
obligations and that our efforts are
directed toward each and every
point we deem beneficial to a
pastime that has stood the test for
100 years.
To those of you who are associated
with our organization in the opera
ton of the individual clubs, I urge
that you look ahead with the same
confident and enthusiasm you have
displayed in the past.
There is no reason to approach the
1910 season in any other frame of
mind. Our game is on solid ground
and is progressing. The coming sea-
son should be another strong link
welded into the chain.