The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-27
EdkgstSRost Rzrrdk
 < T%$,k
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Office) Ry JACK CUDDY

United Press Staff CorrespOndent)
 New York, Aug. 27-(UP)-Amer- ica's men for baseball, even in war; time, is reflected in the reassuring attendance reports this season from the minor leagues-despite handi- caps of transportation restrictions and the ban on night games in some sections.
 Of the 43 minor leagues operating last year, only nine opened this season; and there was some doubt that they could last out the current campaign.
 We have reports from seven of these nine leagues. The other two circuits-the Piedmont and Pony leagues-did not respond to our re- quest for information. All seven of the reporting circuits will finish the season, and at least six hope to play next year. With the exception of the Eastern league, all outfits re- ported better attendance than ex- pected.
 The American Association was the only one to report an outright in- crease over 1942. Frank M. Cooley, publicity director, said the Associa- tion's attendance Gas of Aug. 20) for 316 "openings' was 823,359, an increase of 82,745 or 11.2 per cent over last seasons 740,614 for the same number of openings.
 Holding It's Own
 In the other two double "A' or ganizations, the Pacific Coast league seems to be holding it's own while the International league probably will be off only eight or nine per cent at the close of the season.
 The coast clubs, on strict diet of daylight ball, drew better than last season until interest in the pennant race begged down because Of Los Angeles stranglehold on the lead and the entrenchment of other clubs in the first division. Harry A. Wii- Hams. league secretary, expects this curtailed season of 1855 games to provide total attendance slightly in excess of 1000, ,000," as compared to last years 1,257,250 for a l7S- game schedule.
 Frank J. Shaughnessy, President of the International League, expects attendance to be off only eight or nine per cent. He said this season would have been one of the leagues best were it not for the ban on pleasure driving and the prohibi- tion of night games at Newark and Jersey City.
 Billy Evans, president Of the Southern association, said: we are holding our own with last season or other seasons" He expects his circuit to hit the 100000 mark with a curtailed 140-game schedule, com pared with 743,385 for last years 154-game slate. The count Of Aug. 20 was 6l5,881.
 The Eastern League has "noth- ing to brag about in attendance. according to President Thomas II. Richardson. He points out that ms circuit particularly is affected by the ban against pleasure driving. However, we are not complaining, he assures. "We will finish the sea- son."
 Remarkable
 The Interstate League is off a. bout IS percent. compared with 1942, according to President Arthur H. Ehlers. It's paid attendance Of 238,176 up to Aug. 2l, he says, 1s really remarkable considering our transportation problems. He believes attendance will pick up now and probably equal last seasons figure when the if al game is played. J. Ross Edgemon, president Of the Appalachian League. estimates that this seasons four total will be about 10000, compared with l42.000 for last season when six clubs oper- ated half the schedule and four clubs the remainder. About on a par. he says.