The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-06-16
An Open Letter
To Key West
Baseball Fans
By JiM COBB


You. the baseball fans of Key
West, are now to have in your city,
an organized professional baseball
team. Over the years. and particu-
larly in the past few months, Key
Westers have said time nd again
that ''they wished Key West had a
ball team--that they knew Key
West could and would support a
Class B club.
And now, because handful Of
baseball loving men in this city
have backed up their faith in the
ability Of Key West to back pro-
fessional baseball team, with their
pocketbooks, the Key West Conchs
have comeinto being--the first Pro-
fessional baseball team ever to re-
present the Island City.
Some of these men can afford to
go into such a venture. Others of
the group are literally scraping the
bottom of the barrell' to fulfill
their pledge.
Baseball, at best, is a risky bust
ness. These men, have slight
chance of seeing return on their
money for q long time to come.
then, why did they make such an
investment? They did so primarily
because they have an abiding love
for the game and real belief that
good, clean. wholesome sport is 60
ing TO be good for our community.
And what can you, the baseball
fans of Key West do to show that
their faith In you has not been
misplaced?
First, the Key West Conchs have
on their roster. a lot of good base
ball talent. True, their record in
the Florida International League
has not been good one. But, in
all fairness to the ballplayers, it
must be considered that an under
standable lack of hustle" has
been present in their ranks. These
boys have been pushed around
from pillar to post since the start
Of the season and when the Fort
Lauderdale club threw in the
sponge resulting in the league
operation of the team, they never
knew if they had job from one
day to the next. This sort of a sit
uation Is not one to inspire a team
TO get out there and win ballgames.
Now, with their acquisition by Key
West they will have the opportu-
nifty to identify themselves with
one Of the most progressive cities
in Florida--a city reputed to breed
the most rabid group of baseball
fans south Of Brooklyn. You, the
fans of Key West, by going out to
Wicker's field en- masse and root
ing for the Key West Conchs in the
old "Conchtown" tradition can give
them q feeling belonging--can put
them in frame of mind that is
going TO make the mtough to beat.
No less an authority than Pepper
Martin Of the Miami Beach Fla
ming0es, has said that with very
little help in the player depart.
nent, the Conchs can give the best
in the loop a real battle--and can
win 4 LOT of ballgames.
The other BIC way in which fans
can give these fellows vote of
confidence is by taking an active
part in the financing of the club.
You can become a part owner OF
the Key West Baseball Club by
purchasing stock. however small
the amount in the enterprise. AS
member of the corporation, you
will have q personal stake in the
destiny OF the ''Conchs". You will
have a real part in putting Key
West on the baseball map.
Al a meeting held in the City
Hall two weeks ago, over $1,000
from SIS to 500 didn't come from
the tycoonS or the big businessmen,
but from the little guy--Mr. Aver
age Baseball Fan--the fellow that is
gulng to be sitting in the bleachers
at Nleker's Field, roofing for his
club, You, too. can have part in
shaping q winning team for Key
West. Stock in the club is now on
sale, Pledge forms are available
~ the office Of Louis Carbonell.
Club president. Whether YOU have
five bucks or a couple Of hundred.
II will so q long way In building
q sirong club. We think il is a good