Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1916 — OUTLOOK IS SPLENDID [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OUTLOOK IS SPLENDID

So Says John K. Tener, President of National League. Never Have Prospects Been Brighter in National Pastime—Baseball War Brought About Bome Deplorable Conditions. . (By JOHN K. TENER. President of the National League.) Splendid! That’s my opinion of the baseball outlook for 1916, not merely for the Rational league, but for every diamond organization in the country. Not since I have been connected with the great national game, either as player, rooter or executive, have prospects been brighter for all concerned. The mass of people In this country love the old game. During the past two years they have not shown it as much as in other years, but that was due to two things. One was the European war, which for a time, brought about a business depression. The other was the baseball war, which placed the affairs of baseball in a chaotic state. But now all is changed. The country is enjoying prosperity greater than ever before in its history. The people have money—and they do not feel that in spending some of it for baseball they need sacrifice later to make up for the outlay. Peaceful conditions In the baseball world means that the game itsblf will be from 20 to 40 per cent faster and better than It was during the past two years. The players realize now that they must play the game—and they will. They are going to put their whole hearts and souls Into the There will be no shirking. The boys will be out there day after day, battling every inch of the way, not merely because they must play at full speed to retain their jobs, but because their hearts are back in their tasks again. The baseball war brought about deplorable conditions. The so-called

sflirting of the Federals turned the heads of some of the players. Conditions were .unsettled. But all is rosy now. I look for one of the prettiest races the National league has ever known, and from what I hear, the American league will stage a fight equally as thrilling. Some of the clubs in our circuit that were somewhat weak last year have been strengthened. Every team has -a chance for the pennant honors as the rival outfits prepare to toe the mark for the opening battle. Two or three of the clubs in the National league aren’t conceded a chance by dopesters—but the unexpected usually happens in baseball. The Braves weren’t conceded a chance in 1914. Nor were the Phillies in 1915. Yet both won out. History may repeat itself this year.

John K. Tener, President of National League.