FEBRUARY 7, 1944
FABL SAYS NO TO FLORIDA AGAIN THIS YEAR
While there was no official edict from the War Transportation Board, the 16 FABL clubs have elected not to return to their normal Florida sites for spring training again this season. Instead, as they did a year ago, the bulk of the clubs will train in the Carolinas or Georgia with two opting for Virginia locations and the Toronto Wolves returning to Tennessee and the site of their AA Dixie League farm team.
"We hope to be able to return to Florida next year," explained Washington Eagles owner William Stockdale, "but for this spring -just as it was last year- it has been decided it is in the best interests of the war effort to reduce our travel somewhat and train as close to home as the clubs can while still getting what we hope are weather conditions conducive to March and early April baseball."
Only the Cincinnati Cannons have switched locations. A year ago the Cannons trained in Athens, Ga. but have elected to use the Charleston, SC site of their Class B Southeastern League affiliate Charleston Seagulls this year.
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SPRING TRAINING LOCATIONS
FEDERAL ASSOCIATION
TEAM: 1943 & 1944 1942
BOSTON MINUTEMEN Arlington, Va Sarasota, Fl
CHICAGO CHIEFS Spartanburg, SC Pasadena, Ca/ Tampa, Fl
DETROIT DYNAMOS Greensboro, NC Lakeland, Fl
NEW YORK GOTHAMS Raleigh, NC St Petersburg, Fl
PHILADELPHIA KEYSTONES Savannah,Ga Gainesville, Fl
PITTSBURGH MINERS Winston-Salem, NC Bradenton, Fl
ST LOUIS PIONEERS Charlotte,NC St Petersburg, Fl
WASHINGTON EAGLES Chesapeake, Va Orlando, Fl
CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION
TEAM: 1943 & 1944 1942
BROOKLYN KINGS Knoxville, Tn Havana/Miami, Fl
CHICAGO COUGARS Columbia, SC Los Angeles CA/ DeLand, Fl
CINCINNATI CANNONS Charleston, SC* Tampa,Fl
CLEVELAND FORESTERS Wilmington, NC Clearwater, Fl
MONTREAL SAINTS Fayetteville, NC Sanford, Fl
NEW YORK STARS Augusta, Ga Anaheim, Ca/ Port St Lucis, Fl
PHILADELPHIA SAILORS Hilton Head,SC Miami Beach, Fl
TORONTO WOLVES Chattanooga, Tn Ocala, Fl
*Cincinnati Cannons trained in Athens, GA in 1943.
CANNONS GETTING A NEW PARK?
Two weeks after Cincinnati Cannons owner John E. Tice announced he had purchased property just outside downtown Cincinnati for the development of both "affordable housing and workspaces," more information has emerged.
The owner of the Cannons apparently has worked out a deal with the city of Cincinnati to purchase and develop the aforementioned property in return for a plot of land in downtown to be used to build a new ballpark for the Cannons. A source from within city government, commenting anonymously said, "Mr. Tice was given right of first refusal on a large plot of land within the city in return for developing the adjacent area, which will be annexed to the city and used for a new commercial area as well as affordable housing, presumably for veterans returning from the war."
Tice's office declined to comment on a new ballpark, saying only that the previously announced purchase and development is the only real estate-related business they may discuss at this time.
It has been a banner few months for the Queen City. Quite literally of course, with the Cincinnati Cannons hoisting a World Championship Series flag after a thrilling October win over the Boston nine. That in itself, feels like a dream for our city that just four short years ago did not have a big league club to support. But now we will have two of them as news broke last month at the powwow of football magnates that they too -like their baseball brethren- are welcoming Cincinnati into the fold. The new entry, christened the Monarchs, will join the American Football Association when the 1944 campaign begains next fall. That move came, in no small part, because the city of Cleveland had doubts if it would be able to field a full-roster next season so when the Finches decided to partner up with St Louis that left the loop with an odd-number of teams. California, specifically Los Angeles wanted in, but the AFA bigwigs felt the west coast was just too much of a stretch for the league at this time. Baltimore was also said to be in the running, but Cincinnati's location better fit with the vacancy in the AFA's Western Division and the Monarchs were born.
You can bet Cincinnatians are not welcome in Maryland right about now. First John Tice went in and plucked the Cannons away from the Crab City and now we beat them to the American Football Association. That being said, perhaps we did them a favour. One certainly has to wonder just what kind of grid team we will field next season. There was a real player shortage a year ago -enough to force the league to shut down two teams- and there seems little likliehood the situation will be changed much by the Fall. We might not win a game with the collection of old-timers and 4-F players we end up with, but I suppose for a year or two that won't matter as Cincinnati is home to both big league football and baseball.
*** CANNONS POISED TO CHALLENGE FOR 44' FLAG ***
Speaking of baseball, the Cannons will be back at it in less than 6 weeks time as they try to duplicate an incredible 1944 season. They have lost some talent to the war effort -but then who hasn't- so offense might be hard to come by but the Cincinnati nine may jut have the best pitching staff in baseball again next season. Continental Association MVP Adam Mullins is gone, as is all-star centerfielder Fred Galloway and defensive wizard Charlie Rivera at second base so there are holes to fill. Here is what the club should look like on Opening Day.
PITCHING
Two-time Allen Award winner Deuce Barrell is color-blind so the army won't take him but that is great news for the Cannons as he and fellow 18 game winner Buth Smith are both back to top the rotation. Vic Carroll and Chris Clarke, a mid-season pickup from the Stars, will also return to the rotation with veteran Roger Perry likely retaining his spot at the bottom of the rotation.
Veterans Larry Brown and Jake Smith will claim two of the remaining 3 to 4 spots on the staff with ex-Philadelphia Sailors pitcher Fred Hall battling Jesse Woods, Lee Marcy and rule-five selection Mac Watters for the final opening or two.
CATCHER
The big worry is how will the Cannons replace Adam Mullins in the lineup now that the Whitney Award winner is in the Navy? Buster Farrar, who spent some time with the Cannons in 1941, is back. Acquired from the Stars over the winter the expectation is the 32 year old has the inside track on the starting job behind the plate but he will be challenged by back-up Ed Sala and free agent signee Clem Bliss. None will come close to Mullins production however.
INFIELD
Chuck Adams is back at first base and the Cannons expect even bigger things this year from the 27 year old. On the other side of the diamond things are well in hand with Billy Dalton, a deadline acquisition from the Gothams, ready to play a full season at the hot corner in Cincinnati. Jim Hensley is a terrific gloveman at shortstop but the Cannons do hope he can deliver a little more offense this season. The loss of Charlie Rivera's defense at second base will hurt but the hope is Jack Cleaves, at age 36, can show better than he did in his two months with the Cannons after coming over from Pittsburgh at the deadline. If Cleaves falters the Cannons will rely on Tony White, a 32 year old who had a solid season at Indianapolis last year and should provide defense to rival Rivera at second base.
OUTFIELD
Like Mullins behind the plate, it will be very difficult to replace 5-time all-star Fred Galloway -who is now a member of the Coast Guard- in centefield. Waiver pick-up Mel Alvarez -a 30 year old who was an all-star with Boston in 1939- will get a chance to claim the job. If he can't handle it then Bob Griffith, a natural centefielder, will shift over from leftfield. Griffith impressed last season in his first opportunity for full-time big league duty at age 26. Sam Brown will be back in right field unless Griffith needs to play center in which case Brown will shift to left and right will be a battle between veteran Alf Pestilli and rookie Johnny Potter.
OUTLOOK
Runs will be hard to come by, just as they were before all of the mid-season deals a year ago. There is a chance the club deals some more draft picks and youth for veteran bats to fill the holes but finding an impact starting catcher and starting centerfielder is a much tougher task than last year presented when upgrades were needed -and found- at third and in right field. A repeat as Continental champs hinges on the pitching staff. If it can duplicate it's success of a year ago -and remain healthy- there is no reason not to think the Cannons will be right in the mix, along with likely the Chicago Cougars, come September.
- An interesting note out of Cleveland quotes Foresters magnate Richard Marshall as saying he would close his park if he couldn't present high-class baseball this year. "It's too grand a game to be turned itno a farce and that's what will happen if we insist on operating whether or not we've got big league ball players to operate with," the Cleveland owner explained. "I for one have too much respect for the dignity of baseball to stand for that. If I can't present baseball of high quality I'll close my park." A cynic would suggest the Foresters should have been shut down for the past four years using that logic.
- Eagles owner William Stockdale plans to tell a committee on Postwar Baseball Plans that organized baseball must provide full job protection for it's players that come back from the war guaranteeing them employment. Stockdale will press FABL to have baseball -both major and minor- give its men coming out of the armed forces every chance for rehabilitation in the profession. He will urge, he says, that players released from service be restored to their former jobs and given ample time to prove that they are capable of resuming baseball of the caliber demanded by the league positions they left to go to the defense of their country.
PRO FOOTBALL GOOD BUSINESS FOR BASEBALL, GOTHAMS BOSS SAYS
Pro football is a 'good business' and a possible cure for a baseball magnate's sleepless nights and high overhead during the off season, claims Leland Wintrop, owner of the New York Gothams. The whole situation sounds slightly complicated but Winthrop explained that football played in the off baseball season can be a means of "self-preservation for owners of million-dollar sports plants who have a terrific overhead and nothing coming in" when the baseball season closes.
I've given this plenty of thought ever since Powell Slocum of the Brooklyn Kings came out with the warning that unless baseball wakes up pro football will take the play away from us," Winthrop asserted. "If Mr. Slocum knows what he is taking about -and I have an idea he does- there is no reason why FABL club owners can't go into the football business. They have the parks, the equipment, concession and other facilities. We even have some of our owners renting out space to the football teams now. We have everything but the franchises."
The Gothams owner was quick to point out, however, that "I don't want to start a war or antagonize pro football, but I believe our club owners should attempt to purchase AFA franchises in their respective cities, if they are fot sale."
"I know the Bigsby Oval and Kings County are used by AFA teams now but I could see New York supporting another club after the war and it would be a perfect fit if we were to own it and have that squad play out of Gothams Stadium. Football seems to be ready for a growth spurt, and our baseball owners are just the ones to help them out."
BASKET LEADERS URGE RULE CHANGE TO AID DRIBBLERS
Nick Kratz, who has been officiating basketball games for 29 years is crusading for a new rule which would give the aggressive dribbler a better chance under the basket and greatly tend to develop the fast break. His proposal was echoed today by a pair of Great Lakes Alliance coaches in Dick Keegan of Detroit City College and Em Crim of Indiana A&M.
"You've seen players go charging into the basket only to be temporarily checked in the procees," said Kratz. "Their momentum, howver, carries them on and they make a basket. But a foul is called on the guy who takes a grab at them and the goal is nulified.
*** WOULD GIVE PLAYER OPTION ***
"I think the player making the basket should have an option of either taking the result of his shot or having a personal foul called on his opponent. If that opponent is an exceptionally good scorer or rebounder and happens to already have four fouls charged against him, the other fellow would probably give up his field goal in order to have the opponent evicted for five personal fouls. Anyway, the option would give the small, aggressive player more of a working edge under the basket, would develop the fast breaking offense, and help return the game to it's fundamentals of pass, dribble and shoot."
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AIAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
1. Rainier College (72) 18-2 1800 1 West Coast Athletic Association
2. Western Iowa 17-3 1724 2 Great Lakes Alliance
3. North Carolina Tech 16-3 1653 3 South Atlantic Conference
4. CC Los Angeles 16-4 1548 5 West Coast Athletic Association
5. Ohio Poly 21-4 1510 4 Independent
6. Liberty College 16-4 1446 10 Northeast Conference
7. Detroit City College 15-4 1261 12 Great Lakes Alliance
8. Chesapeake State 15-5 1233 9 South Atlantic Conference
9. Perry State College 19-2 1152 11 Midwestern Association
10. Frankford State 16-3 1114 13 Northeast Conference
11. Brooklyn State 15-4 1105 7 Northeast Conference
12. Indiana A&M 15-4 1031 15 Great Lakes Alliance
13. Coastal California 15-5 1028 8 West Coast Athletic Association
14. Annapolis Maritime 20-4 980 14 Independent
15. Minnesota Tech 16-4 791 6 Great Lakes Alliance
16. Carolina Poly 15-5 748 16 South Atlantic Conference
17. Brookland 21-4 674 17 Independent
18. Garden State 14-6 506 18 Northeast Conference
19. St. Ignatius 12-7 483 19 Great Lakes Alliance
20. Bronx Tech 19-6 449 20 Independent
21. Whitney College 11-8 358 23 Great Lakes Alliance
22. Texas Gulf Coast 15-5 305 NR Southwestern Alliance
23. Sadler 15-6 190 24 Academia Alliance
24. Central Ohio 11-8 148 NR Great Lakes Alliance
25. Troy State (NY) 17-6 84 NR Independent
Others Receiving Votes:
Brooklyn Catholic 17-7 39 Independent
Coastal State 13-6 20 South Atlantic Conference
Bayou State 14-7 8 Deep South Conference
Spokane State 13-7 5 West Coast Athletic Association
Harper College 14-7 4 Independent
Dickson 15-6 2 Academia Alliance
Northern California 13-7 1 West Coast Athletic Association
RESULTS INVOLVING RANKED TEAMS
MONDAY JAN 31
#14 Annapolis Maritime 55 Central Maryland 24
#17 Brooklan 42 #20 Bronx Tech 41
TUESDAY FEB 1
#22 Texas Gulf Coast 49 Alabama Baptist 30
#25 Troy State(NY) 46 Bardney 38
WEDNESDAY FEB 2
#6 Liberty College 55 St Patrick's 43
#10 Frankford State 49 St Pancras 47
#11 Brooklyn State 50 Huntington State 33
St Martin's College 55 #18 Garden State 49
#20 Bronx Tech 39 Cesar Rodney 37
#23 Sadler 44 Dickson 41
THURSDAY FEB 3
#24 Central Ohi 50 #2 Western Iowa 49
#3 North Carolina Tech 61 Central Carolina 36
Harper College 42 #5 Ohio Poly 38
#7 Detroit City College 66 #21 Whitney College 58
Coastal State 48 #8 Chesapeake State 38
#9 Perry State College 55 Wichita Baptist 44
#12 Indiana A&M 41 Lincoln 26
#14 Annapolis Maritime 45 Manhattan Tech 37
Wisconsin State 46 #15 Minnesota Tech 43
#16 Carolina Poly 47 Petersburg 38
St Magnus 39 #19 St Ignatius 36
#25 Troy State(NY) 39 Penobscot State 27
FRIDAY FEB 4
#1 Rainier College 53 Redwood 42
#4 CC Los Angeles 39 Spokane State 23
#13 Coastal California 45 Portland Tech 42
#17 Brookland 46 Middlesex 32
#20 Bronx Tech 52 Bay State 40
SATURDAY FEB 5
#2 Western Iowa 34 Lincoln 25
Mobile Maritime 36 #3 North Carolina Tech 33
#6 Liberty College 58 #11 Brooklyn State 46
#7 Detroit City College 56 St Magnus 49
#10 Frankford State 52 Commonwealth Catholic 38
#12 Indiana A&M 41 Wisconsin State 39
#21 Whitney College 66 #15 Minnesota Tech 57
#18 Garden State 41 St Pancras 32
#19 St Ignatius 60 #24 Central Ohio 46
#22 Texas Gulf Coast 43 Darnell State 30
SUNDAY FEB 6
#1 Rainier College 54 Northern California 47
#4 CC Los Angeles 43 Portland Tech 28
#5 Ohio Poly 72 Grant(IN) 42
Lane State 46 #13 Coastal California 34
#20 Bronx Tech 44 St Blane 35
AIAAstandings
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 2/06/1944
- Lt. Gen. Alexander A. Vandergrift, commander of the US Marine Corps defended against critics of the Pacific area's island-hopping strategy, asserting that while "some people would like to believe there is some mysterious short-cut to Japan, as many of these islands as we absolutely need we shall have to take."
- Vandergrift's statements came a day before the US made a final push to take 10 key beachheads in the Marshall Islands.
- The long expected German push in Italy came late in the week but was turned back.
- The army newspaper Red Star charged that Germany is obtaining supplies from the United States and Latin America through Spanish importers and accused the Vatican of supporting fascism in Italy, Spain and France.
