Date: January 16, 1928
Source: San Mateo Times
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San Mateo’s wondrous new baseball grounds, San Mateo’s baseball team, and San Mateo baseball fans drew much —ment and all of it favorable. At a meeting at San Jose Saturday evening, of 36 baseball managers and fans representing 12 Central California cities, who tentatively organized the Central California baseball league. A rules and by-law committee was appointed and a meeting of managers of the teams which planned to enter the league was set for January 28 in San Jose.
The general consensus at the meeting was that the time is now ripe for the formation of a semipro league in which the use of “ringers” will be banned, and in which a whole-hearted attempt will be made by all managers to keep the expenses of the game somewhat within the gate receipts.
It was also generally agreed that as far as possible home talent would be used, thus encouraging amateur players to enter some what organized competition and developing greater local interest in each team.
San Mateo park
San Mateo was represented at the meeting by Herman Koroger, M. J. Burke and Tommy Randazzo. The first two form active portions of the San Mateo baseball club board of directors, while Randazzo is one of the mainstays of the Blues.
The rapid strides with which the San Mateo ball park has reached an enviable bush league proportions drew much praise from the directing board.
With its new grown grass that spreads over the entire playing field like a carpet, its recent addition of stands for the fans, and it’s beautiful outlay of green and white, the park was the talk of the evening.
Many of those who attended expressed the opinion that San Mateo was showing the way for bush league baseball in Central California, and was highly instrumental in the interest in the semipro end of the national pastime.
San Mateo team
At the same time it was the general consensus that the 1927 San Mateo Blues who won 25 straight from the best competition they could get was one of the greatest semipro teams ever organized in California.
More than one player remarked that the chucking “Genial Gene” Camozzi dished out was on a par with some of the best efforts of Pacific Coast League pitchers.
San Mateo fans
That much of the success of the San Mateo baseball season was due to the wonderful support of the town fans, was asserted by Kroger, who declared that the interest San Mateans had taken in their ball club last year was the greatest he had ever witnessed in his 20 odd years as a member of the directing board
“We cannot express your words our appreciation of the support of the fans gave the Blues, said croaker. Their enthusiasm has certainly made worthwhile all efforts to give them the best in the ways of baseball.”
Fans to decide
Whether San Mateo will enter the Central California League is as yet problematical.
We want the fans themselves to decide whether there boys should play in a league or in the freelance fashion which they have followed heretofore, Said Kroger.
“Baseball fans with the interest of their clubs at heart, are urged to mail their opinions to the sports department of the Daily Times. We want to hear what they think of a semipro league, we want them to have their say in the action the directing board will take.
Two divisions
Indications at the meeting were that from 8 to 12 teams would form the League. According to the number that entered, there will be either one or two divisions. The winners would play a championship series at the end of the season.
Whereas many of the clubs desire to play at home as much as possible two teams volunteered to enter as traveling clubs.
Money angle
One of the most discussed angles of the meeting was the limitations of money used for players’ salaries. The general opinion was that $100 should suffice to pay off the athletes for each game.
Herman Kroger and Burke, however declared the proposal radical inasmuch as they were concerned, as the Blues spend $200 Sunday for players.
Should San Mateo remained out of the league, Kroger pointed out, the Blues would be unable to play members of the circuit, who would have their games scheduled until the middle of August, after which they could play in depended tussles.
Committee chosen
The bylaws committee which will draw tentative rules for discussion by managers and representatives was named as follows. Howard Bartlett, Modesto; Al Earl, Oakland; M. E. Duarte, Alameda; Fred T. Kelly, San Jose; Harry L. Wilkinson, Gilroy.
Managers were invited to send their suggestions to Erle, who was chosen chairman of the committee.
Averages kept
One of the suggestions that followed was that official records be kept of the players batting, fielding and pitching averages.
George B. Hanson of the Southern Pacific reported on the success of excursions for semi pro clubs last season, and volunteered to cooperate with the league and individual clubs in their railroad travels this year.
Clubs represented
Club managers represent that did were Howard Bartlett, Modesto; W. P. Oliason, Monterey; Mickey Shader, San Francisco Stock Exchange; Grant Meyer, Stockton; F. J. MacCormack, Oakland. M. E. Duarte, Alameda; Fred Kelly, San Jose; M. J. Burke, San Mateo; George Hughes, Santa Cruz; Bob Carter, Piggly Wiggly club of Oakland; Irvin Hollister, Gilroy; L. W. that Maddock, Richmond.
Others present included, Tommy Randazzo, San Mateo; Eddie Phillips, San Jose; William Morrison, San Francisco; J. L. Long, San Francisco; W. T. Shield, San Francisco; Sam Battaglia, San Jose; L. M. Williams, San Jose; Ben Elkins, San Francisco; Louis Marquette, Monterey; Stan Waldorf, San Jose; George B. Hanson, San Jose; J.W. Van Pelt, Alameda; Fred J. McCormack, Oakland; R. L. Davis, Oakland; J Arkinstall, Oakland; Harry L. Wilkinson, Gilroy; George W. Waldorf, San Jose; John N. Hall, Gilroy; J. J. Larkin, Alameda.
