WIL November Meeting - Day 1

Additional Clubs Seek Franchises in Pro Baseball Loop
W.I.B.L. Directors in Session Here Adjourn Without Reaching decision—Officers Named
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 4, 1945]
Robert Abel, Tacoma attorney, was re-elected president of the Western International Baseball League, as the class “B” professional circuit at its annual meeting here at Victoria’s Empress Hotel made plans for the league’s resumption next summer.
At the moment, the league comprises six clubs, Salem, Tacoma, Yakima, Spokane, Vancouver and Victoria, with two additional teams seeking entry. The directors debated the question of admitting the other clubs for more than three hours last night and then adjourned until this morning without reaching a decision.
Yubi Separovich, of the Sacramento Solons, and Joe Brownlow, of Wenatchee, made strong representations for the addition of Wenatchee to the circuit, and W.W. Shepherd, Bremerton, applied for a franchise for the navy yard town.
Also before the meeting were wires from Aberdeen-Hoquiam, representing Gray’s Harbor Baseball Club, and from James Ashe, in behalf of Bellingham. Both wires said influential people were interested in the franchise.
Following lengthy debate on the question of granting franchises to Wenatchee and Bremerton, Robert Abel, president, stated that the matter would be dealt with again at today’s session called for 10 a.m.
Directors of the league decided to open the 1946 season on Tuesday, April 30, with 19 weeks of baseball, closing on Sunday, September 8. The schedule will call for approximately 133 games.
Complete slate of officers elected were: president Robert Abel, Tacoma; first vice-president, R.P. Brown, Vancouver; second vice-president, Sam Collins, Spokane; secretary, George F. Abel, Tacoma; directors, W.T. Straith, Victoria; W.H. Klepper, Portland; Sam Collins, Spokane; E.H. Alexandson, Tacoma; F. Mercey, Jr., Yakima.
The Western International Baseball League last operated in 1942 with four clubs, Salem, Vancouver, Spokane and Tacoma.
Visitors attending the W.I.B.L. meeting were the guests of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., at a dinner last night at the Union Club.
W.T. Straith, K.C., M.L.A., one of the directors of the local club, acted as chairman and welcomed the guests.
Mayor Percy E. George brought greetings from the City Council and the citizens, and assured the baseball officials that every co-operation [line unreadable].
Other speakers were George Norgan, president of the Portland Beavers; Bob Brown, manager of the Vancouver Capilanos; Robert Abel, president of the W.I.B.L., Yubi Separovich, of the Sacramento Solons, and Archie Wills.