Evening star., 1947-12-12
Coast League Given Hope Of Early Rise to Majors
bigtimeBaseba||
Expansion Due,
Meeting Finds
Yankees, Tribe, PhiIs,
Reds Swap as Winter
Sessions Conclude
By the Associated Press

oeSSlOnS NOnCluQe
By the Assoeioted Press
NEW YORK, Dec. IL. THE ex-
pansion of major league baseball to
other territories Is a virtual GER
tainty during our lifetime" high
major league official prophesied
today.
That prediction took some of the
ache out of the hearts of the men,
bers of the Pacific Coast League del
egation who started their long jour-
ney back home with the sad news
that once again their request for
major league recognition had been
rejected by the major leagues.
The rejection came yesterday in
the form of resolution that gave
promise of better things to come for
the West Coast and other sections of
the country that some day might
attempt to graduate into the major
ranks.
In a carefully worded statement
by Walter Mulbry, secretary to Com
missioner A. B. Chandler, the majors
said they recognized the probability
of eventual expansion, but that there
appeared no minor league which was
entitled to such classification at
present.
Rise Not Yet Warranted.
The text of the resolution read
thusly:
"The major leagues recognize that
various sections of the country have
developed greatly and that increas-
ing population and baseball interest
therein should eventually result in
the expansion Of major league base
ball to such territories, but at pres
ent there appears to be no minor
league which Is entitled to major
league classification.
THE major leagues further be-
lieve that minor leagues or clubs
applying for major league classifi-
cation must assume responsibility
for any necessary adjustments Of
territorial rights of others, must
have adequate income and park IA
cilities, and must assure the major
leagues that the operation on the
major league status requested Is
both practical and justified"
Thus the big boys brushed of the
Coast League which requested either
unconditional major league status or
a rise in classification by increasing
the draft price of its players from
SIC, 900 to $25, 900 and extending the
draft eligibility from four to six
years.
Interested in 10 Club Loop.
When informed of the decision,
Clarence Rowland, president of the
Pei said, well keep on battling
this thing. We are sorry they
couldn't see things our way, espe-
;ially as regards the draft. But we'll
be back"
The resolution left the door open
for the Pei. A big league spokes-
man said, I'VE are in favor OF
progress in baseball. IF they (the
PCL) can convince us that they are
deserving, we'll be glad to make
room for them"
Although no announcement was
made, it was learned that the 10
club league proposition was live
subject on the floor Of the joint
meeting which closed out the three
day major league sessions. The
National League is believed to have
favored unanimously such a plan as
the eventual solution of the, coast
problem and the American League
was in opposition by q So vote
with one member not voting.
Chandler, who was opposed to the
PCL becoming major as a unit, was
reported in favor Of the 1o-club
idea.
Yanks, Tribe In Swap.
The Pacific Coast League matter
stole some Of the thunder from the
big leagues, who put across q couple
Of ideas that might become i'm
portant factors in the major league
pennant races.
The New York Yankees finally
came out of their trading lethargy
by swapping Outfielder Allie Clark
to the Cleveland Indians for Pitcher
Charles ReO Embree. Clark, who
was brought up by the Yankees
from their Newark farm last August,
batted 1873 in 20 games and helped
the club in its drive to the pennant.
In Newark, the 24-year- -old fly
chaser had a 1874 batting average
In 10 games.
Embree, % is Alright handed fast
baller. He won eight and lost 10
last year, his second full season with
the majors. He pitched only six
complete games, but allowed only
1877 hits in 1853 innings and had an
earned run average of 315.
This is the second deal engineered
between the Yanks and Indians in
two seasons. In the winter of 1916
the Yankees sent Second Baseman
Joe Gordon to Cleveland in ex-
change for Pitcher Allie Reynolds.
Roth were he1nfYr1 tn fIojr ,,ou,