Evening star., 1960-07-26
THE BASE EBALL
BEAT
7 TuFnstiIes Prove Point
BY BURTON HAWKINS

THERE'S NO IDEA if Cal Griffith is developing the
annual itch to move the furniture but based past per-
tormanceS it wouldn't be surprising This simply is say
that figures present positive proof that Washington will
rally to respectable team.
For the first time in years the Senators aren't dead
last in attendance perhaps because first
time in years they're interesting than teevised
Western The Senator's after Woeul start have been
rising. So has their attendance.
At this point Kansas City and Cincinnati are aver
aging fewer fans per date than the Senator's True Wash
gton attendance ags behind last season. but the
deficit is temporary Projected the season. the SEN
atorS calculated show attendance increase for
the fifth straight year. perhaps this by as much
as 100000
Barring rain, the Senators will play 72 home dates
as compared with SO last year. The bottom will not have
dropped out because of another 8game losing streak
they hope they maintain their present average the
end-a reasonable premSe-theyl draw approximately
100000.
1T MAY BE ARGUED that this is no startling turnout
but other major league team the years pro-
vded its fans with much mediocrty Apathy naturally
set in during Is successive in the second division
-Four times in the last five years Washington finished in
the cellar
So, when the Senators staggered to 1923 start this
year. customers were hard to locate 1t appeared to be the
same frayed story At that stage the Senators had lost
13 OF 20 home games The average attendance only
9,074, despite the % 327 who watched the opener
Then the club started to climb In their last II home
dates the average attendance has been 1877 Some of the
tapahy has been erased displayed by the lift of
than 1000 fans game since the Senators started to
perk up.
Fifth place isn't first place. but it long has been the
contention here that Washington fans will respond to
representative team. pennantwinner would be prefer
able, out Scrappy club also is agreeaby acceptable 1t
might be added that the rising attendance trend has been
accomplished with box reserved grandstand seats
being peddled at so cents than last year Financially
the Senators are far ahead.
THE SENATORS HAVEN'T seen the first division since
May S, when they tied for fourth Their followers
have been stirred mildly by their good play the last
weeks If the Senators haven't exactly thrust them
selves into the pennant fight at least they hanging
around the fringe not too far from the scrap to dream
of participating
It's to be hoped that the increased traffic trend,
responding with the Senators improved behavior being
noted with appreciation by Griffith He still may be
tempatng leap to Minneapolis Los Angeles elsewhere
but there's ample data now-with Washngton'S team
reSpectabiltyto indicate that this city is of the
greener pastures
There have been enough assurances from enough
to declare that the American League won't permit
Washington to be abandoned if Griffith pulls out
Top men, backed with millions prepared to move in
if he out When the first spade turned the
cty stadium, major league baseball became fixture
here regardless of Calls sometimes uctuatng feelings
What form American League expansion ultimately will
take unknown and probably dependent the Kansas
City situation Attendance there is down 142623 from last
and the team is up for sale 1t may be purchased
and kept in Kansas City, but of the late Arnold
JohnSonS estate could receive attractive offer to
sell to outsiders anxious to shift the club.
GRIFFTTHS INTENTIONS may not be known until
settlement of suit restraining him from dsposng of ball
parks here in Chattanooga and Charlotte At the moment
he's in position to dcker concerning occupancy
stadium in 1862 because of legal lassoes
It's always rugged when the running is uphill Griffith
has obstacles but is insurmountabe He's losing the
Redskins tenants after this He has been
toned to operating his concessions at Griffith Stadium
and must reach attractive arrangement along that line
If he eventually is to play in the stadium There
other problems
But one problem Griffith wouldn't be facing is attend
provided the Senators continue their Irritation with
the 500 level Washington fans demonstrating they'll
respond to a Sembance of competition