Jeannette Franchise May Land in Portsmouth, Ohio

Article taken from The Charleroi Mail, May 21, 1931

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 The Middle Atlantic League franchise which was surrendered by Jeannette officials last week may be placed in Portsmouth, O., it was learned here today.  The Ohio city, home of a professional football team, is admittedly interested in securing a place in the Middle Atlantic.  Elmer Dally, president of the league, has been busy since the Jeannette franchise was thrown upon the league, and hopes to announce new owners within the next few days.

 Portsmouth has been prominently mentioned along with Ashland, Ky., and Logan, W. Va.  The latter two cities were in the Tri-State League last year.

  Beckley, Charleston, and Huntington, new clubs from southern West Virginia, are interested in having the franchise placed in their section.  It would then give the league more of a local appeal in that district and certainly mount interest.

  Portsmouth is a community large enough to support organized baseball and in addition it is properly outfitted for night baseball.

  After gaining admittance into the National Professional Football League last fall Portsmouth attracted crowds of four and five thousand.  These crowds were, of course, realized through the advantages offered by nocturnal sport.

  Martinsburg, Altoona, Erie, Uniontown, and Steubenville are other possible buyers of the open franchise, it is said.