BASEBALL

Evening Star, Issue 23099, 27 October 1938, Page 5

BASEBALL

LEAGUE FORMED IN DUNEDIN At a meeting held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night it was decided to form a league in Dunedin for the jiurpo.se of establising the game of baseball. It has already been played for a season by three clubs, while in northern centres the game has achieved considerable popularity. The meeting was presided over by Mr C. J. L. White. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been called to place the game on a firm footing in Dunedin. It was being played by a number of teams in northern centres, and he could see no reason why it could not be established in Dunedin. A start was made last year, but it was late in the season, and, although three teams had been formed, the game had not progressed very far. Mr 0. Campbell Dawkins said he had been asked to convene the meeting. The most important matter, to be considered was the formation of. a provisional management committee, which was necessary for the successful functioning of the game. There was sufficient gear in Dunedin for three teams to start immediately, and more could be obtained from x Wellington within a week. On the motion of Mr Beecher it was decided to form a body to be known as the Otago Baseball League. Mr A. V. Stirling said there were already three teams in existence, and there was no reason why others should not be formed. The trouble in New Zealand was that there were too few teams and to many spectators, and the formation of the league would enable more people to take part in the sport. There' was no reason why it should not he played in New Zealand as well as any other sport. It was explained by Mr Dawkins that ithe league could he affiliated with the central body in Wellington. There were many teams in northern centres. He was sure baseball would be very strongly supported in Dunedin. In reply to a question by the Chairman, Mr Dawkins said there might be some difficulty in regard to grounds. The application for grounds for playing summer hockey had been opposed by the cricketing interests. A prepared wicket was not required, and if they could make a start and obtained sufficient support the City Council could bo approached with a request for the use of a ground. The following Provisional Management Committee was appointed to control and administer the affairs of the league for a jieriod of three months: — Messrs R. H. Fulcher, J. Dyaomond, A. W. Triggs. H. M. Smith, A. V. Stirling, and Miss P. Chandler. The following office-bearers were elected:—Chairman and honorary solicitor, Mr C. J. L. AVhite; official coach, Mr D. M. Beecher; organising secretary Mr C. Campbell Dawkins. Tn order to give the public an opportunity of witnessing the game it was decided that exhibition matches be arranged in the near future between both ladies’ and men’s teams. It was also stated that an exhibition game would be played at Bathgate Park on Saturday afternoon.