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Show PROMISE OF GOOD SPORTJEASON Big League Moguls Are Optimistic Op-timistic Over Baseball Prospects for 1918. NEW YORK, Dec. 30 The way of pessimism that has swept through sportdom has given way to optimism. In all branches of sport the outlook for 1918 is one of cheerfulness. Everything Every-thing possible will be done the coming year to stimulate a wide and general participation in all fields of sport. In baseball circles, despite the fact that some of the minor leagues will not toe the mark when the umpire calls "play ball," the feeling is general that the coming season will be one of pros-, perity for the national game. President Presi-dent John K. Tener of tho National league is one of those who sees nothing noth-ing but the bright side of the game for 1918. "There is nothing to hinder the game from being as popular as over during the coming season," he said. "Naturally "Natural-ly there will be considerable anxiety over the terrible conflict being waged on European battlefields, but I am confident con-fident the American people will support sup-port their national pastime as in the days gone by. And after this terrible emergency has passed the game will be more prosperous than ever. "Tho game of baseball is one of tho foremost outdoor sports in America. In fact, It is the best form of outdoor amusemenL Thousands of young Americans engage in the pastime and It is certain to form an important part of our recreative life in the trying days which apparently are ahead of us." " President Ban Johnson of the American Amer-ican leaguo is equally as enthusiastic as Governor Tener over the outlook for 191S. |