Begin Work for
Raleigh Baseball
Raleigh, Oct. 29—Steps were taken yesterday to have
professional baseball in the city next year at a meeting of a few fans in the
rooms of the chamber of commerce. A visitor at the meeting was Ted Sullivan,
known throughout America as the king of baseball, who came to Raleigh in the
interest of a North Carolina league.
The question of securing the old baseball park, now used as
a garage by the Highway Commission, was the first subject considered. It was
pointed out that the fans of Raleigh are ready for baseball and it is only a
question of a park that hinders an active start toward the organization of a
local club.
Before starting an organization, it was decided to ascertain
if the old park can be secured by the transfer of the Highway Commission’s
trucks to another site. A committee was named to confer with Mr. Frank Page,
chairman of the commission, and report back at 5:30 this afternoon to the
chamber’s baseball committee.
The question of a baseball club in Raleigh centers upon the
use of the old park. The report of the special committee will have much to do
with the future plans of Raleigh moguls. If the report this afternoon is in
favor of the fans, the committee will proceed toward an organization and a name
representative to attend the baseball meeting Friday in Durham.
Mr. W.G. Braham, president of the last North Carolina
league, has called for a meeting of baseball enthusiasts for Friday in Durham
and at that time an effort will be made to form a league. Representatives will
be there from Durham, Wilmington, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Greensboro,
Fayetteville, High Point, Winston-Salem, Danville, Roanoke, and Lynchburg. It
is practically certain that Raleigh will be represented.
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From the front page of The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Oct. 31, 1919
Enthusiastic Baseball
Meeting. . . Nearly $3,000 Raised Last Night. . . Delegates to Durham Today. .
. $10,000 In Cash Needed to Start the Ball to Rolling
The enthusiasm manifested at the meeting of the baseball
fans in the court house last night already insures baseball for the next
season, and with the other towns in North Carolina moving actively in the
matter there is every indication that a league will be formed and next summer
will see good baseball in Wilson and other times.
After raising $2,870 last night in the meeting and the appointment
of a committee to canvass the city to secure the balance of the $10,000 which
the finance committee composed of Messrs. J.C. Eagles, W.N. Harrell, and Dr.
C.A. Thompson, appointed at last meeting to ascertain, Mr. C.B. West, the local
Y.M.C.A. secretary, and Mr. Homer Anderson were appointed to go to Durham today
where a meeting has been called and the delegates invited to gather from the various
towns in order to discuss the situation and prepare for baseball the coming
season.
The meeting was called in order by Chairman Anderson with
Secretary Holton Wallace at his post. Mr. Anderson stated that Dr. R.A. Smith,
President of the Atlantic Christian College, was negotiation to secure a lot of
land which he would let the Wilson Baseball Association have the use of, if the
latter would construct the grand-stand, the bleachers, and do the other
necessary work. He said that Dr. Smith was not able to be present at the
meeting but was negotiating and would, he felt sure, have something definite to
offer in a short while. This arrangement Mr. Anderson announced would be fine
for the college and the ball team. It would insure a permanent ball park, and
at the same time would give the College a place to practice and play. Several
in the meeting voiced the same opinion advanced by Mr. Anderson, that they
wanted to help the college, and thought the arrangement fine for all hands in
the enterprise.
Mr. W.W. Graves, chairman of the committee on arrangements
speaking for the committee also composed of Messrs. George Banafoot, and
Lt.John Hackney stated that he had investigated the cost of the fence and the
grandstand, which would hold 2,000 people, and at the present rate of labor he
thought the total cost would be between $6,000 and $7.000. That this was merely
approximate estimate secured from Mr. Moore the architect, and was not
absolute. The cost might be somewhat less, he did not think it would be more. The
fence would have to be made of good material. He said that he had talked with
Dr. Smith and that not only the place that Dr. Smith had proposed but that
others had been offered, and he did not think it would be difficult to secure a
site. If necessary the people could go out some distance as every one had an
automobile these days, and they could ride.
Mr. Anderson then called on Mr. J.C. Eagles, Chairman of the
Finance Committee, who stated that after considering the matter, the committee
thought it best to recommend a stock company to be incorporated under the laws
of the State of North Carolina, and that it would take at least $10,000 in cash
to prepare the grounds, and provide the first necessary running expenses, and
that a stock company, with $10,000 cash paid in and authorized capital of
$15,000 would take care of the proposition.
His proposal was accepted and tellers were appointed to move
among those present and secure stock, the price of the shares to be $10 each. The
following agreed to take stock: Messrs. W.W. Graves, W.D. Ruffin, Titus Harper,
L.P. Bullock, B.B. Sharpe, W.F. Eagles, D.J. Pearce, Calvin Woodard, R.E.
Hagan, A.C. Bardin, J.G. Overman, G.A. Lucas, E.L. Hawkins, C.A. Thompson, J.M.
Gold, S.J. Borden, B.F. Eagles, Barnes Harrell Company, J.R. Raines, Ed.
Warren, H.H. Walson, Kirby Woodard, J.D. Horne, R.A. Turlington, J.B. Gray,
W.C. Pearson, Vance Forbes, Dr. J.R. Underwood, Dr. M.M. Saliba, E.J. Pearce,
H.B. Wallace, W.B. Edmundson, B.E. Howard, C.P. Clark, John Hackney, J.C.
Eagles, U.H. Cozart and Tom Noules.
Another meeting will be held next Friday night in the court
house for the purpose of perfecting the organization, and hearing the report of
the various committees and the report of the committee sent to Durham today to
tell the meeting what Wilson expects to do. In the meantime the committee
appointed last night to solicit stock from the people of Wilson will canvass
the town and raise the balance of the $10,000. No trouble along this score is
anticipated. Wilson has everything else, and it is believed that she wants baseball
and baseball bad, and the committee will meet with a liberal response when they
go to you for money.
This committee is composed of Messrs. Will Graves, Will
Adams, John Hackney and Wiley Edwards.
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From the front page of The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Oct. 31, 1919
Delegates to Baseball Meet in Durham Today from Points in Virginia and North Carolina. . . Big Representation to Form a League
Durham, Oct. 31—Representatives from 14 cities in Virginia and North Carolina met here today with W.R. Branham, former President of the North Carolina League, to prepare for the organization of an Association of baseball clubs, into a league and to secure a franchise for same in order to prepare to play ball during the summer of 1920. Representatives were present from Durham, Henderson, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Wilson and other cities of the State.
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