The Key West citizen., 1952-12-22
FIansingo Prexy
To Come To XIV.
Shortly ToConfe
With City Fathers

The chances that Key
West may have an entry in
the Florida International
Baseball League when it re-
sumes action next May, are
improving, according to Lou
Carbonell, president of the
Key West Baseball Club,
which recently lost their
franchise as a result of the
pairing down of the league
from eight to a six team
combination.
Carbonell revealed that he has
recently conferred with owner
Paul Rust and General Manager
Joe Ryan of the Miami Beach
Flamingos in an effort to induce
that team to make Key West their
baseball home.
And the efforts are bearing
fruit, he said, when the baseball
executives promised to come to
Key West early in January for
series of conferences with the City
Commissioners, who along with
several civic groups, have thrown
their support four-square behind
the efforts to keep Key West in
the baseball picture.
The Commission at their meet
ing here on Tuesday night prom
ised that they would do anything
in their power to keep baseball
In Key West.
carboneII had appeared before
them asking that they continue
TO support the efforts Of base
ball promoters to bring the team
here.
In addition, fhe Key West
Chamber Of Commerce and the
kiwanis Club have passed reso-
IUtions indicating their support
Of the sport in fhe city.
The chief obstacle in fhe way
of bringing the FIamingos to the
city is the fact that they would
like to have concession rights.
Also, group in Fort LaUderdals
Is working in an effort to induce
fhe Miami Beach team to move
TO that city.
They have promised to build a
new baseball plant and claim that
they have sold 1900 season tickets
for the coming year. However,
those in close touch with the sit
uation say that the Beach high
command would rather come to
Key West if they can get the right
deal. They are said to be loathe
to move to Fort Lauderdale in
view of past experience there. It
was the Lauderdale franchise that
the Key West Baseball Club picked
up midway in the past season
when they went broke.
DR.. Julio DePoo, member of
the board of directors of the
Conch team said today that the
local group was sorry to have
lost the franchise but that they
hoped that the Flamingos would
come down here.
"But | think we would have
better team if they do, he added.
The local operators stand to
loose a considerable sum of cash
due to the loss of the franchise
which came about when the Lake
land operators threw in the sponge
after a losing season.
Speculation that the Flamingos
will come here started after a
meeting last week in Miami. Own
er Rust is said to have been cast
ing around for a new home since
a disastrous season at the gate in
Miami Beach in spite of the fact
that he had a second place bali
club that fought the Miami Sun
Sox right down TO the wire.
Local fans are Of the unanimous
opinion that the Flamingos will
have the best club in the league
this season. Manager Pepper Mar
tin of the Flamingos, has already
been signed for the coming sea
son and the Beach aggregation Is
studded with star bali players.
They have working agreement
with the Class A Atlanta Crackers.
Rust and Ryan are expected to ar,
rive here shortly after the New
Year.
The city is expected 10 com.
plete the Sodding of the outteld
at wickers Stadium In short
time They agreed to finish the
job at a meeting two weeks ago.
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