Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-25

big league clubs who need seasoning to Cuba and
Puerto Rico" he says.
nodded to Freddie Hutchinson the Detroit manager
II outlined this idea to you he said You liked It, didn't you?
II liked It," Hutchinson replied.
EVERY MAJOR LEAGUE club has is or Is young ball
players rosters year But they don't know much
about those kids shand because they had played for Tulsa
Peoria Charlotte few sent to Cuba and Puerto
Rico few because there restrictions as to how many
play winter ball. Like this Yankee bonus boy Frank Lea
He was sent from high school to Puerto Rico"
HE didn't exactly burn up that league, either, man
suggested.
why should he?" Russell asked thrown into fast
company. Lejas only kid. He was in strange country
couldn't speak the language probably didn't care for the food
and, on top of everything, he was homesick
MY point this dozen big league clubs train in Florida,
most of them within miles of each other Why don't
they organize city with Tampa ST. Petersburg
Clearwater Lakeland Bradenton and Sarasota to sart?
HUTCHINSON NODDED IN AGREEMENT Just those
cities gives you eghteam league that includes the
Reds and White sox who train in Tampa the Yankees and
Cardinals who train in ST. Pete the Phles in Clearwater the
Tigers in Lakeland Braves in Badenon and Red Sox IN sara
sofa" Hutch said.
This is only rough dea saying, "but here's
think would work out Most big league coaches
paid by the year. Let them manage the clubs
Dick Barte for instance might manage Cincinnati and Jim
Frank Crosetti might New York, etc.
play three week. working out on other days Pay
the players say hundred bucks week Most of them don't
make that much in the oseason Play from December to
to March by the time the winter league ended and the
main body OF team is assembled the coacn In charge WI" De
able to give the boss real report on the kids one
compiled on the basis of actual competition"
objection filed by bystander He asked IF it
isn't supporting clubowner buy it? You know
how clubowners think, jack
RUSSELL STUDIED THE QUESTION as he might putt
that would another golf trophy for his mantlepece
League would draw Jack said cautiously because
there are Florida in December, January and
February than at any time.
people who during those months have jai aa
dog racing golf and mild weather But they have
wait until March to baseball They'll go for an after
the watching ball with potential major
leaguers playing doubt if it would be cosfree thing
as far owners concerned.
Lets put this way" Russell conceded. at probably will
cost $4,000 salaries and But If club
finds player it's way ahead Like everything else
player high these days One at $4,000 real
bargain"
Jack of stepped off the mound to reflect for moment
added young and inexperienced players
might benefit by this winter league too Take fellow like
Jerry Coleman coming back the Yankees after couple Of
years Kennedy of the Indians They've got
They might embrace the chance to actually play
regain their timing know would, If were in their
positions"
But by way proving that he is practical Russell
doubuy confeses that he holds great hopes Of promoting
you've got to cuboWner to think it's his
dea he sighed Then it might have chance he
might sell the Others But who wants to listen to