The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-06-11
Sports
J.Ryan OF Miami
Beach; Lakeland
Gunner To Fly
Here For COnfab

by Jim @oOp
Citizen Sports Editor
Latest OF q series of develop
menfs on fine baseball scene that
have had local fans in . fixzy
came 10 light today when II was
lsarned that Joe Ryan. owner OF
the Miami Beach Flamingos in
the Florida international Baseball
League and Vice President Of that
loop will make flying visit 70
the Island City in fhe company Of
w. n. Dswdy, owner Of the FL
Lakeland franchise 10 survey the
local situation.
However, the question of wheth-
er or not Key West viii talke over
the defunct Fort Lauderdale fran
chise, which league officials have
indicated will be disbanded on
June nth IL no buyer is found, re-
mains to be answered.
Yesterday, hope was revived
that Key West would have a look
at the Lauderdale club, when, in
a series Of long distance phone
calls, certain bigwigs in the loop
contacted local promoters to say
that they were planning to sche-
dule the three game series between
Lakeland and TT. Lauderdale clubs
for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
evenings of this week at the Wick
ers Field stadium. They felt that
IL local enthusiasts had the chance
10 see the clubs in action they
would indicate by their support that
they were in favor OF the granting
of the franchise TO Key West and
that they would raise the neces-
sary capital to operate the ball
team.
Need Sanction
All that remained at that time,
they said, was the sanction Of the
league President Baynard. How
ever, the prexy quashed this move
when he said that the st. Peters
burg ball park had already been
contracted for and that the series
would be played in that city this
weekend. What gievs here?
Makes Offer
at 4 meeting of the League BID.
OF Directors in Miami last sunday,
Louis carbonel, who has been
among the leaders in the effort to
bring organized ball to this city,
offered TO underwrite this week 5
three game series to the tune OF
$1,000. in effect insuring the league
against any loss in the venture. In
addition, ne said that he would
give all receipts TO the league trea.
sury According TO Cabonell, Ryan.
Dawdy and Tom Spicola, owner OF
the Tampa entry. all supported the
Key West offer at sting.
Spiccola also offered one
OF the top pitchers In n the
series and give the loca.s tie op.
ton OF keeping linn If desired.
Az the meeting, officials ruled
that anyone taking over the Laud-
erdaie franchise would have TO sat.
isfy an approximate 5000 indebt-
edness TO the loop before any deal
could be made, This figure includes
u two thousand dollar deposit TO
the office Of the minor league asso.
clation. Also, at the time the
league took over the franchise.
each club owner was assessed $500
10 finance the operation Of the
team.
League Wanted Payment
II was the insiStence of the
league brass that anyone taking
over the club pay this amount that
caused the Key West interests 10
withdraw their pressure to take
over the club. II was felt that 10
start the operation that far in the
red with only IL monA.is OF base
ball to be played made the enter.
prise economically unsound.
May Make Deal
However, with the visit of Ryan
and Dawis here ii Is interest.
ing TO speculate on what the league
officials have in mind at this time.
With the seven remaining club
owners faced with the loss Of not
only their $500 assessment but also
the loss Of . great number Of play
ing dates II the loop switches 10 .
sevea team operation. a Slaekenlng
OF their demands could be in the
ofEln. Some informed men have
said that il il their belief that the
league should permit the franchise
90 be operated in this city for the
remainder If the current season ~
prove that the Key Westers will
back an organized ball club
II il known that there are at
least SIX votes On tire FIJI board
og directors thai woakd be east in
{ r Of splitting the eagrcnt sea
S - oser words, Instead ot re-
ga2 saes beaia TIE Lead
e gser kee* WEISS
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