Semantic search

[quoting Spalding] Upon my return from Europe, together with Mr. Day, I had an informal talk with three gentlemen connected with the Players League—Messrs. Talcott, Goodwin and Johnson. These gentlemen were anxious for a cessation of hostilities, and in an informal talk confessed that they had lost about all the money they cared to sink in base ball. Mr. Talcott asked me what I thought could be done. I told him that it was my opinion that if the backers of both organizations could get together without outside influences of any kind they might be able to bring order out of chaos that would be satisfactory all around. Mr. Talcott replied that inasmuch as in the Players' League certain players were also stockholders, they wanted representation on any conference committee that was appointed.

To this I replied that the League would never meet a committee of any kind upon which there was a member of the Brotherhood. It did not object to a ball players, but would never countenance the secret organization that for two years had worked to undermine and wreck it. The Players' League people then said they would like to have Mr. Ward on the committee anyway. I replied that I had the highest regard for Mr. Ward as a man and a ball player, but that the League could never meet the president of the Brotherhood in any capacity whatever. Furthermore I did not think Mr. Ward would care to sit in such a committee. I considered him too fair-minded a man not to be willing to permit the men who had lost their money in the Players' League to determine upon their own plan to get it back. Upon this point Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Talcott and Mr. Johnson all agree with me. They left to form their committee, and securing telegraphic consent from all the Players' League clubs to go ahead, President McAlpin named Johnson, Talcott and Goodwin as its members. In the meantime Mr. Day and myself had a hard time in getting the National League to appoint a committee to meet the gentlemen, and it was only after seven hours' hard work that we succeeded. We did not dictate the Players' committee, but appointed ours only after theirs had been official announced.

H. K. Curtis, the well-known manager of one of New York's most noted semi-professional clubs—the Acmes—has published the following emphatic protest in the New York Star against one of the methods of the League adherents:

“The original Acmes of this city, are scheduled to play two games with the New York Brotherhood teams. Negotiations are also pending with the managers, whereby the Acmes expect to arrange games with other Players' League teams. Now we are semi-officially notified through the Sporting Times, John B. Day's paper, that if the Acmes play a game with a Brotherhood team, they (the Acmes) will be debarred from playing any National Agreement clubs, and also that any club playing the Acmes, after they play a Brotherhood team, will likewise by ostracized.

“Now, I beg leave to state on behalf of the Acmes that there is not a man among us that would do an act detrimental to the welfare of the national game. But we do not want to be boycotted (for we term it such) later on for doing something which we should not have done. Therefore we request the Board of Arbitration of the National League to be more explicit and describe what they term an ineligible player. They say we should not play the Brotherhood men because they are ineligible. Are we to understand by this that they are blacklisted, and if such is the case, may we ask why is it that the New York League Club is trying so hard to get these same “ineligible” (blacklisted) men to play in their team?

“To play against blacklisted men, however, might cause an injury to any club, as long as the National Agreement is in existence. We are disinterested in every shape, form and manner in the League fight with the Players, and why do they draw us into it?

“It seems to be a petty piece of business on their part, and I do not see how it can help their cause. Previous to arranging games with the Players' League I wrote at least fifty letters to managers of National Agreement clubs endeavoring to arrange games, but I have not received as much as a postal card in answer. So it is left to any one's imagination as to how many games with National Agreement clubs we will lose by playing the Players' League teams.

The League may be able to persuade Mr. Brush to give up his franchise for good coin of the realm, but I doubt it. Brush is shrewd and knows a good thing when he sees it, and that he has one now nobody will deny. The League is reasonably sure to go through the season with ten clubs. It cannot and will not force Mr. Brush out unless he goes willingly, and he will not go that way. The League may squeeze Washington hard enough to persuade Mr. Hewitt to sell out to Detroit but even that is doubtful. A compromise will have to be agreed upon between Indianapolis and the League...

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Now, as to the future. A compromise seems the only way out of it for Mr. Brush. He will not get out, and yet his refusal to do is a great injury to the League in general and the New York Club in particular. He is not to be blamed in the slightest in his course. He has rights and his colleagues will respect them. Still it is evident that what he can do to help out his associates he should do. Mr. Day doesn't need a great deal. With the men he has a short stop, a catcher, a third baseman and a could of pitchers would put him into the swim. The compromise that seems to me to be now probable would be for Mr. Brush, for a consideration of course, to let Mr. Day have Denny and Rusie or Getzein, and for Mr. Stern to give him Carpenter and Earle or Baldwin also for a consideration. This would provide Mr. Day with fillers for his present team and enable him to make a good front. He could pick up one pitcher of experience from the minor leagues and develop one from the lot of youngsters Mutrie has on hand all crazy to distinguish themselves.

The Meredian National Bank of Indianapolis October 29 entered suit against W. A. Nimick, of the Pittsburg League, to recover $548.02, a balance claimed to be due on a note. The note was for $800, and was made March 21, 1890, by W. A. Nimick, president of the Allegheny Base Ball Club, to N. E. Young, agent, who transferred it to the bank. The note matured in four months, but $548.02 of the amount is still unpaid.

The Thirteenth Regiment Baseball Association is to be congratulated on the progress made in its experiment of . When the scheme was inaugurated about a month ago the obstacles encountered were so many and so discouraging that it was generally thought the plan would be abandoned. The boys have succeeded in overcoming most of the difficulties, and the exhibition game of Saturday evening last may be considered a success. Nine full innings were played in two hours and a half and, as a rule, the boys played good ball. It could hardly be expected that they would do as well as the crack amateur teams which play in this vicinity during the Summer. A majority of the regimental players are beginners at the game, and their showing is therefore the more praiseworthy.\

The principal drawback noticeable Saturday evening was the weakness of the light. The fixtures were excellently distributed, but there was not a sufficient pressure of gas on. One of the officers of the Association told the reporter that the burners on the fixtures were old and were not capable of burning a larger flame. If this defect can be remedied it will help the boys materially. With better light the catchers would have fewer passed balls and the time of playing a game would be shortened.

The ball used in this indoor game is much lighter than the regulation outdoor ball. It is also less solid. In consequence it is more difficult and tiring to pitch it and the catchers find it hard work to get the ball down to second base ahead of a base-runner. The main advantage, in fact the necessity of suing this light ball, is found in the batting. If the ordinary ball were used there would not be much left of the inside beauty of the armory after one or two games. As it is, the ball must be hit with great force to send it to the “outfield.” If it strikes the woodwork it rebounds without doing any damage.

The diamond used in the armory is not of a rectangular nature. It is elongated, and the distance from home to second is greater than from first to third. This also militates against the catchers, as the base lines are only seventy-five feet long—fifteen feet shorter than the regulation. The catcher must throw the ball just about as far as he would on a ball field, while the base-runner has fifteen feet less to run. This helps the base-running, which is after all one of the most attractive features of the game.

Indoor base ball is becoming quite popular all over the country, but strange to say, has not yet affected Philadelphia. Chicago has many clubs, and the sport is rapidly gaining there. Winter base ball was invented by George W. Hancock and Augustus J. White, of the Farragut Boat Club of Chicago, in the year 1887, and has become a favorite amusement in the East. The game can be played in any form which allows the necessary space for the bases. It is played with a large soft ball, and a bat which resembles a billiard cue, being 2 ft. and 9 in. long and 1¼ in. in diameter. The four bases are 1½ ft. square. There are nineteen rules which govern the game as follows:

1—The pitcher's box shall be six feet long by three feet wide, and twenty-two feet from home base. 2—The bases shall be twenty-seven feet apart. 3—Eight or nine men may play on a side. 4—Only shoes with rubber soles can be sued. 5—Only straight arm pitching will be allowed. 6—A batted ball inside of foul line is fair. 7—A batter ball outside of foul line shall be foul. 8—Third strike caught is out. 9—A foul tip or fly caught is out. 10—Four unfairly pitched balls gives striker first base. 11—A pitched ball striking the batter is a dead ball, but does not give base. 12—A base-runner must not leave his base when the ball is in the pitcher's hand. 13—A runner must not leave his base on a ball not struck, until it has reached or passed the catcher. 14—A batted ball caught in rebounding from a wall is not out. 15—In over-runner first base the runner may turn back either way. 16—If a batter purposely kicked a ball he has batted he is out. 17—If a ball rebounds and strikes batter he is not out. 18—The game shall be judged by two umpires. The first will stand in the centre field and give judgments on the second and third bases. The other shall stand behind the catcher and just all points of the game. The two will change places at the end of every inning. They must not be members of either club in the game. 19—The umpires shall be sole judges of the game.

Indoor base ball was tried in Philadelphia in the State Fair building. It was not a success. Possibly some share of the want of success may be attributed to mismanagement and the inaccessibility of the building. Whether the game will spread or remain one peculiar to Chicago is a hard nut to crack. But it certainly has possibilities, although in many ways still crude. Time may evolve a great deal more than people imagine out of this latest variation of the national sport.

Indoor base ball has become all the rage in Chicago, New York, Brooklyn and Philadelphia, where the regimental armories give splendid opportunities for playing it.

The game as now played was invented by George W. Hancock and Augustus J. White of Chicago, in 1887.

Nearly all the elements that go to make the outdoor game interesting can be brought out in the indoor game, such as sliding to bases, live coaching and getting back at the umpire.

The game is played with a soft ball, somewhat larger than the regulation base ball. The bat, which resembles a billiard cue, must not be over 2 feet 9 inches in length, or about 1 foot shorter than the bat used in the regular game and 1 ¼ inches in diameter. Following are the rules that govern the game:

The pitcher's box shall be 6 feet long by 3 feet wide, and 22 feet from home base.

The bases shall be 27 feet apart.

Eight or nine men may play on a side.

Only shoes with rubber soles an be used.

Only straight arm pitching will be allowed.

A batted ball inside the foul line is fair.

A batted ball outside the foul line shall be foul.

Third strike caught is out.

A foul tip or fly caught is out.

Four unfairly pitched balls gives striker first base.

A pitched ball striking the batter is a deal ball, but does not give base.

A base runner must not leave his base when the ball is in the pitcher's hand.

A runner must not leave his base on a ball not struck until it has reached or passed the catcher.

A batted ball caught in rebounding from a wall is not out.

In overruning first base the runner may turn back either way.

If a batter purposely kicks a ball he has batted he is out.

If a ball rebounds and strikes a batter he is not out.

The game shall be judged by two umpires. The first will stand in centre field and give judgments on the second and third bases. The other shall stand behind the catcher and judge all points of the game. The two will change placed at the end of every inning. They must not be members of either club in the game.

The umpires shall be sole judges of the game. St. Louis Republic December 13, 1890

Syracuse and Rochester offer to exit the AA

[reporting an information meeting of AA magnates 12/11] Messrs. Frazer and Brinker [of the Syracuse and Rochester clubs] came prepared to make offers to withdraw from the Association circuit in order to allow stronger cities to be admitted. Mr. Frazer said he would get out for $8000 cash, and backed up this with the statement that as he had stood by the Association he thought it only fair that he should be so treated now that he was willing to abdicate in favor of somebody else. General Brinker fixed his price at $20,000 and used the same persuasive arguments, but it is thought that both gentlemen will be induced to vanish from the scene of action for about $5000 apiece. The Sporting Life December 13, 1890

The Texas League adopts a modified Millennium Plan; salary rates

[reporting the Texas League meeting of 12/1] The quota of each team was fixed at eleven men. The salaries were fixed as follows for each club:-- Three pitchers at $70--$210; two catchers at $70--$140; four infielders at $67.50--$270; two outfielders at $65--$130. Eleven men at $750.

C.P. Fegan and J. J. McCloskey were appointed a committee to receive names and engage all players for the Texas League, said players to receive salary at a rate not exceeding the above schedule of salaries.

When a complement of players has been secured there shall be a drawing of players to apportion to each club its quota of eleven men, said players to be classed according to their merit, that is, first-class pitchers, second-class pitchers, etc. The Sporting Life December 13, 1890

[from C. F. Holcomb's column] It has come; we all knew it would get here [Buffalo] sooner or later, and now we can shout “told you so!” The indoor base ball furore, which has so long been the popular amusing in other cities, has had hardly a trial in this wind-swept town, until the West End Ball Club organized a team to play indoors. The first game took place Sunday last at the Prospect Rink. A number of well-known players-Tom Brahan, Short, and others—are doing well in this first attempt, and interest bids fair to increase. It is to be presumed that several base ball players residing here will take up the sport actively, at least some of them have expressed an intention of so doing.

[from Chadwick's column] [paraphrasing the Chicago Herald, describing the game as played in the La Salle Club gymnasium A bat that would be taken for a broomstick by the uninitiated, a ball about the size and consistency of a bowl of dough and stuffed with curled hair, base bags which the base-runner carried along with them when they slid, and a tin pan containing rosin completed the tools of warfare. On account of the necessarily short hits the fielders played either within or just on the edge of the diamond. That a base-runner cannot leave his base till the pitched ball has passed, the plate, and that the pitcher delivers the ball underhand and with a stiff arm are the only rules different from those of regular base ball.

Just now there seems to be a craze for indoor baseball in military circles in Brooklyn. The members of company E, of the Forty-seventh regiment, have now organized a baseball team for the season, with George W. Pink as captain. They are now in steady practice and a game has been arranged with the team of company A, of the Thirteenth regiment.

Base ball playing indoors has certainly caught on with the members of the National Guard in Brooklyn. The Thirteenth Regiment's Association has been a success from the start. It subsequently took hold with the boys of the Twenty-third Regiment, and that crack organization, it is said, has two companies whose teams will soon be pitted against the best in the field. The Third Gatling Battery, with headquarters at Washington and Dean streets, has also organized a team which is particularly desirous of meeting the pick of the Thirteen Regiment.

Now the craze has struck the Forty-seventh Regiment, whose handsome remodeled armory at Marcy avenue, Lynch and Heyward streets, in the Eastern District, offers better facilities for playing than any other armory in the State, with probably one exception—that of the Seventh Regiment. A year ago Capt. Quick organized a team from Company E, and the boys played quite a fair game at Prospect Park. Having a number of good players in his company at present, he is making efforts to collect a team to play in the armory, and it is very likely that Capt. Christopher of Company D and one or two other companies will join in the movement. The armory is 240 feet long and 140 feet wide. Every precaution will be taken to protect the windows and chandeliers and as there is no doubt but that Col. Gaylor will grant them permission to use the armory for the purpose, the movement looks like a sure go. Capt. Quick placed the matter before the company last night, and the members were enthusiastic over the scheme. A meeting for organization will occur next week.

Billy Gale has every thing at the Cincinnati Park looking as bright and clean as the proverbial new pin. Every stone and stick has been gathered up and every broken or rotten board in the terrace and pavilion has been taken up and replaced with new timber. ... The Cincinnati team is an aggregation of fast base-runners, and every thing will be done to encourage them to take desperate chances. They can slide either feet first or head first on this new surface covering without injury. There will be no bits of gravel or sticks to scrape the skin from the arms and legs of base-runners, as was frequently the case last season.

[Baltimore vs. Cincinnati 5/21/1887] [from a retrospective article on triple plays] The Cincinnatis were at the bat. Three men were on the bases, no one out, and Jim Keenan had toed the plate. Jim is usually a sure hitter, and all the base-runners were up on their toes ready for advancement. Jim finally picked out a good one. His bat cut the air with a whizz, and the ball went on a line for waht looked like a sure base hit between second and hsort. All the runners dug theri plates into the ground homeward bound. Their flight was brought to an abrupt termination. Billy Greenwood made a side jump as the ball sped toward the field. He wore a big glove on his right hand, as he is a left-handed thrower. That glove played havoc with the Reds. They big fingers just touched the sphere. The ball was stopped in its flight. It bounced a foot high from the glove. Billy made another jump. This time he got his hand fairly on the ball and held to it. He had caught it on the fly. Quick as a flash he stepped on second base, and an instant later he threw the ball to Shindle, doubling the runner at third. In the twinkling of an eye three of the Reds were retired. Cincinnati Enquirer January 26, 1890 [N.B. 1887 accounts make no mention of the glove.]

May a man who has paid his money to see a base ball match write an account of the same as it progresses and throw it over the fence, for the information of persons not present? This is one of the questions that will come before the courts shortly, two Western Union reporters having been arrested at the Athletic grounds for sending reports in this way. The men so treated are Horace A. Shinn, of 1607 South Juniper street, and D. S. Fister, of 700 Preston street, employees of the Western Union Telegraph Company. They were held on Saturday last for a further hearing this week by Magistrate Romig, charged with illegally securing for their employers scores of the games played at the Athletic Ball Park, Twenty-sixth and Jefferson streets.

The prosecution is the outgrowth of a rivalry between the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Companies. The latter secured exclusive privilege of running wires into the ground, and to overreach its rival the company first named had its employees take the history of the game as it proceeded and throw the copy over the fence to a waiting messenger boy, by which means it was enabled to telegraph reports of the game as rapidly as the Postal Company.

At Forepaugh's Park Western Union reporters have also from time to time been ejected for the same offence, the Postal Company having the same exclusive rights on this ground.

It does not seem good policy for base ball clubs to offend a company like the Western Union, and to peddle out telegraphic privileges for such a comparatively small such as $250 per club, but having sold the privileges it is at least necessary for the managers to try to keep the privileges exclusive.

Curt Welch continues to play the trick of being hit by a pitched ball. Welch would make a good soldier; he does not seem afraid of a cannon ball.

[reporting the PL special meeting of 4/2/1890] [proceedings of the meeting with the PL umpires] To prevent a balk a pitcher will be compelled to place one foot outside of the box lines in throwing to bases.

[reporting the AA special meeting of 3/14/1890] The umpires were then brought into the meeting room, introduced to the delegates, and then the playing rules were jointly gone over and a unanimous interpretation arrived at. The most important thing in this connection was the definition of the vexatious balk question. This rule will hereafter be construed to meant that any motion not followed by an immediate delivery of the ball would be a “balk.

[PL New York vs. Brooklyn 4/30/1890] With two men on bases, Joyce muffed a little fly sent up by Ewing, and O'Rourke dashed for second. Barnes decided that Ewing was out, and also called O'Rourke out. The decision was an original one, and may never again be seen on the ball-field. New York Tribune May 1, 1890

In the last half of the sixth inning Connor was on third and O'Rourke on first base, with Ewing at the bat. The New York captain knocked a high fair fly several feet behind third base and at least three feet behind Joyce, the Brooklyn third baseman, who squarely muffed the ball. O'Rourke reached second and Ewing first base. Had Joyce intentionally muffed the ball he could not have got it to first ahead of Ewing or to second ahead of O'Rourke, who had taken a long lead off first base and was waiting for the ball to either be caught or dropped. Neither could Joyce, had he caught the ball, have returned it first in time for a double. The Sporting Life May 10, 1890, quoting the New York World

The Players' League has eliminated from its playing rules the word “momentarily,” applied to fly catches and has substituted an entirely new rule in Sec. 9 of Rule 41, which is quoted below. This new rule has already made trouble and will make more unless more clearly defined. A kick over the rule came up in the New York-Brooklyn game of April 30. Joyce muffed a short fly ball, but nevertheless Umpire Barnes permitted a double play as a result of the muff. Jim O'Rourke, when subsequently questioned by a reporter, said:

“The decision was contrary to the spirit and letter of the rules. In the first place, it was not an infield hit of Ewing's, and therefore neither Ewing nor myself could be declared out. Now, what do the rules say regarding infield hits? Rule 2 of the Players' National League says that the infield must be a space of ground thirty yards square. That meant the entire territory within the base lines, and not a foot more. Now, the ball that Joyce dropped was outside of the third base line by fifteen feet.”

“But hasn't it been the case that hits stopped by the basemen and short stop while standing in their usual positions were considered infield hits? asked the reporter.

“Yes, but the interpretations of the rules in that respect have been wrong. A ball sent to any of the infielders in the place they usually play cannot, under any circumstances, be considered an infield hit. It must be a hit to be played, even within the base line. Sec. 9 of Rule 41 says:-- 'If, where there is a base-runner on the first base and less than two players on the side at bat have been put out in the inning then being played, the batsman makes a fair hit so that the ball falls within the infield, and the ball touches any fielder whether held by him or not before it touches the ground, the batsman shall be declared out.'

“See what latitude would be given an infielder to make such plays like that of Joyce's and which Umpire Barnes says are according to rule, if the enlargement of the infield other than that stated in the rules was allowed. Why, a short stop or baseman could run into the outfield for a ball, miss it, and then throw to a base, catching the runner. Under Umpire Barnes' ruling that would be an intentional miss, the same as Joyce's was decided. There's got to be a distinction made somewhere between the infield and outfield, and the rules have always made it. You can say that even an inch outside of the base lines is in the infield.

“I am perfectly satisfied that Joyce's miss was not an intentional one. He made a supreme effort to get the ball, but failed. Now, the, do you think under those circumstances that it is reasonable to give Joyce as much credit for that play as one of the scientific character. That what he received by Umpire Barnes' decision.” The Sporting Life May 10, 1890

[describing the plans for Forepaugh Park] In style it will resemble the grand pavillion at the Philadelphia Ball Park, being of the same shape, that is, semi-elliptical. The structure will be of woodwork, with iron girders, trusses, supports, etc., forty feet deep and each wing or angle will be 235 feet long. The main entrance will be at the corner of Broad and York streets.

There seems to be considerable misunderstanding among the many amatuer and semi-professional clubs throughout the country regarding the restrictions placed upon national agreement teams in connection with the spring exhibition games. According to the rule laid down by the national agreement no clubs belonging to the National League, American Association, Atlantic Association, New England League, Interstate League, International League, Tri-State League, Western Association, Southern League, Texas League or California League, can play games with members of the Brotherhood League. Any amateur clubs who play with Brotherhood teams will be debarred from playing any clubs of the leagues under the protection of the national agreement. Any player who plays on a team which plays a Brotherhood club will also be debarred from playing with any national agreement clubs in the future.

President N. E. Young has official warned all clubs not to arrange games with Players’ League clubs on pain of being forever ruled out of games with clubs under the national agreement.

Jim Hart, the noted ex-manager, now A. G. Spalding's private secretary...

[regarding a lawsuit filed against Day by his brother-in-law Fred Davis] In reference to the statement made by John B. Day, President of the Metropolitan Exhibition Company, regarding the services of Fred Davis, his brother-in-aw, being entirely voluntary, Mr. Davis says that it can be proved that he was sent up to the grounds by Mr. Day to look after his interests. If it has slipped his memory he can refresh it by referring to his ex-partner, John P. Davis, and his present partner, Charles P. Abbey. When the old firm of Davis & Day existed, Fred's father, who was the senior member of the firm, and had many stiff arguments with John B. Day, his son-in-law, in regard to his taking Fred away from the business and wasting his time at the Polo grounds. He also found fault with Mr. Day for the valuable time he was likewise losing from the tobacco business by going off to the base ball games. In fact, it was the stiff arguments they had upon this very point which led to the breaking up of the old firm. New York Sun September 19, 1890 [N.B. Charles P. Abbey was one of the incorporators of the New York Baseball Club on October 9, 1889.]

A new base ball headquarters was opened last night [3/11], with “Honest” John Morrill, Boston's favorite base ball players, and his business partner, Mr. W. R. Burdett, as hosts. Morrill has now severed forever his connection with professional base ball playing, and has turned his attention to the less exciting practice of fitting out athletes with the articles needed in the field of sports. The new store is a t12 Bromfield street. It is centrally located in the business district, and as the games of the Brotherhood and League Clubs are to be displayed, it cannot fail to become popular. Morrill has laid in a handsome stock of sporting goods, and has every reason to hope for success in his venture.

Judgments were entered in Philadelphia last Saturday against the Athletic Base Ball Club in the suits against it by five of their players, for want of an affidavit of defense. The judgments were awarded to John O'Brien for $351.59; William A. Purcell, $376.28; George Shafer, $157.44; Joseph Kappel, $278.76; John McMahon, $483.34. These sums represent the amount of the claims of the players with interest.

[from Chadwick's column] One of the causes of the society patronage given the Brooklyn Club team at Washington Park the past two months is the absence of the vulgar, rowdy kicking which prevailed in the old Association era. Kicking suits the masses, and especially the rowdy element of the bleaching board crowds, as does the noisy coaching; in fact that element revels in anything which approaches a row or a disturbance. But kicking and noisy coaching disgusts the better class of patrons of the game, and since President Byrne put his foot down against kicking by his team at Washington park, there has been a noteworthy increase in the local patronage, the grand stand crowds at the park equaling anything seen at any other League ground in the country. The attendance at the Washington Park grounds in Brooklyn during the July campaign has been the best in the character of the assemblages known in the history of the club, and as to numbers the crowds in the aggregate exceeded the combined attendance at the other three metropolitan grounds—on the Polo and Brotherhood parks in New York and the Eastern Park in Brooklyn. The aggregate attendance at Washington Park from July 5 to July 19, inclusive, exceeded 27,000 people, and the majority were grand stand occupants. Over 11,000 saw the three Cincinnati games alone. The absence of kicking unquestionably caused the remarkable increase in the grand stand attendance.

[Francis Richter reports:] While the Bostons were in town last week, Mike Kelly sauntered in Reach's store on Market street one day and to the surprise of everybody greeted Al. Reach in the most friendly manner. Al. was no less cordiak, and to the pleausre as well as amusement of the lookers-on the rival magnates were apparently upon the most friendly terms, and one would have imagined that no such thing as a war was in progress. What took Kelly to Reach's was the fact that he had to get one of Reach's patent lace mitts, which Kelly vowed he couldn't get along without, and which he is so pleased with that before he left Reach he gave the latter unsolicited the following testimonial:

Philadelphia, May 3.--Friend Reach:--Notwithstanding I am connected with a rival organization candor compels me to say you have the best catching glove I have ever seen, and I have seen them all. I refer to your patent lace mitt. You are at liberty to use my name as an endorsement of it in such manner as you choose. Yours truly, M. J. Kelly, Boston Club.

[from J. F. Donnolly's column] There will be a new entrance built [to the NL Brooklyn grounds], which is to be used solely by lady patrons of the grounds, and innovation long desired, as the rush and crush of the male gender, both on entering and leaving the grounds, has always been a source of concern to the fair enthusiasts, whose gowns and the set thereof very often suffered through the wearers being caught in the swirl. This entrance will be designed in careful fashion, and will add to the attractiveness of the general entrance when all the changes have been effected.

Latham, whose demands for money increased in proportion to the decrease of his ability to play ball, became so violent at last that he was released by Comiskey. He tried to work the Chicago team as he did St. Louis—to be always in debt to the club from $500 to $1,000. This, the Chicago men would not stand and Latham was released. Von der Ahe immediately began negotiating for the sale of the dude's release and without asking the other Association clubs to waive their claims, Latham was sold to Cincinnati for $25,00, $500 of which it is reported Latham obtained. When the Athletics and Louisville protested against the sale the boss calmly said that both clubs had waived claim to Latham a year ago when he was on the market. The sale is going to cause trouble, for both Sharsig and Whittaker have blood in their eye. They wanted Latham themselves, and so did President Parsons, of Louisville. The customary ten days did not lapse and altogether it looks as though the national agreement sustained a violent wrench.

There was a little scene at the Athletic base ball grounds, Twenty-sixth and Jefferson streets, yesterday, which escaped the notice of the regular visitors to that place.

Deputy Sheriff J. B. Pattison, aided by Assistant Deputy Link, made a levy on all the goods belonging to the Athletic Base Ball Club, and especially the gate receipts. The attachment was made on a writ issued by Judge Hare, of Common Pleas Court, No. 2, giving judgment in favor of George W. Walton & Co., Limited, for $234.15, being the amount of a bill for lumber, with interest.

…

The attendance at the game was very light, the amount of the receipts carried off by the Sheriff being only $28. The Philadelphia Times September 7, 1890

Players of the Athletic Base Ball Club of the American Association yesterday began legal proceedings for the recovery of salaries for the month of August. None of the fourteen players have received any pay during the past month, and it is also claimed that the club in indebted to a number of them for services in July.

Last week attorneys for the players notified President Phelps, of the Association, that unless the arrearages were paid within ten days the players would seek engagements elsewhere. The players not receiving a response yesterday made affidavits and statements of their claims, which were filed in the office of the Prothonotary. The claim of Edward K. Seward is $377.56; that of Wilfred Robinson $350. George Shafer's claim is $244.30.

The remaining eleven players will institute similar proceeding later in the week. The attorneys state that the executions and attachments against the funds of the club would not prevent the players from securing the salaries remaining unpaid, as the law gives a prior lien for wages to the amount of $200 in each case in preference to all other claims. The Philadelphia Times September 9, 1890

[reporting the Athletic Club stockholders' meeting 9/11] The amount due the players for salary is $2,650. The entire indebtedness of the club, in which this amount is included, and outside of the $9,000 worth of bonds that do not mature until 1893, is $16,500 in round figures. Of this amount it is only necessary that the $2,650 due players be raised before Wednesday next, as on that day the ten days' notice would expire and the players be free to sign elsewhere. The Philadelphia Times September 12, 1890

At the last meeting of the stockholders a committee had been appointed to raise the necessary funds for carrying the club to the end of the season. This they failed to do and on Monday night [9/15] the club was practically disbanded. The scene at their headquarters on that night was a never-to-be-forgotten one. The stockholders and directors stood around talking in a whisper and the whole aspect betokened a funeral more than anything else. When it became impossible tp put the players off any longer and they were released one by one it seemed more like the breaking up of a family than the dismemberment of a club. Manager Sharsig took the whole affair more to heart than did any of the other,s, and he was truly to be pitied. Speaking of the affair, he said: “This is the most severe set-back I ever had in my life. Years of labor and constant toil have been swept away to-night, and I am just where I began again. I cannot fully realize yet the extent of my loss, but ii will gradually force itself upon me. I, of all the club, was nearer tho the men than anyone else, and, therefore, I feel it the most. Many of these players have been associated with me for years, and while we all have our faults, the parting is extremely hard.” The Philadelphia Times September 21, 1890

Up to the middle of the season the club was doing well, and according to the words of one of the officials the club had more than made expenses. They had got their share of the local patronage and away from home had done equally well. At the time the first default in payment occurred these conditions had not changed and the wonder now is where did the money go. This was answered perhaps in part when Secretary Whitaker gave out the financial condition of the club at the last meeting. Of the $17,000 indebtedness, exclusive of the $9,000 in bonds that do not mature until 1893, he said more than $8,000 was due the club officers for salaries. This was the first intimation any one had that the officers were salaried menials and it has caused no end of talk since. When stockholders say they will have an investigation ordered what are outsiders liable to think? To many it appears like an effort to save their own investment out of the wreck. However that may be, an itemized account of the club's receipts and expenditures would be an interesting article for perusal. The Philadelphia Times September 21, 1890

Judgment was entered in Common Please Court, No. 3, yesterday against the Athletic Base Ball Club in the claims of Players John O'Brien for $351.67, Joseph Kappel for $278.76, John McMahan for $483.34, William A. Purcell for $376.28 and George Shafer for $157.44. The Philadelphia Times November 2, 1890

[reporting the PL Directors' meeting of 7/17] The affairs of the local Players' club were pretty thoroughly ventilated in the meeting, but for some cause two directly contradictory stories were given out. In giving out information for publication Secretary Brunell stated that Mr. H. M. Love was no longer president as he had disposed of his shares to J. Ear and George Wagner, and that hereafter the Wagners would liquidate all debts of the club. When Mr. Love heard that Secretary Brunell had given out this news for publication he became very angry and engaged in a wordy war with Brunell. He desired to know from what source the information had been obtained, and was told that such was the general understanding. Despite Love's denial, George Wagner maintained that it was the truth, and that Love was not president, and that he and his brother had bought Love's shares. The Philadelphia Times July 18, 1890

Ex-President Love has been bought out, bag and baggage, and it is now controlled by the Wagner brothers. The Philadelphia Times August 3, 1890

Of the leading salaried officials of the three major leagues Zach Phelps is the lowest-salaried man, his salary being $1800, against $3200 for Brunell, of the Players' League, and $4000 for Nick Young, of the National League. But then the Association is now in a transition stage and can't very well afford to do any better. Phelps' salary won't always be so low, however, if the Association should prove the success its friends hope and expect.

[quoting Soden] Amalgamation is a question for the capitalists of both sides to decide now. The players have no more to say in the matter than you have. The capitalists of the new League have got them as completely under their thumbs as ever we had them in the old days. They are sick of throwing away money and they have learned that the players must be governed with a strong hand if good work is to be done. They are anxious for some form of a national agreement by which they can discipline their players. Brouthers, Radbourn, Kilroy, Kelly, Ryan and a lot of other players have been absent from their teams whenever they took a notion, and nothing was done about it. The Sporting Life October 18, 1890

[quoting Day] The players have nothing to say at all. They have not lost the money during the past season and consequently they have no interests at stake. The capitalists on both sides will do the negotiating. The players will have to do what they are told to do. If a player objects to playing with any men in the National League he will have to secure employment elsewhere. The market is overstocked with good men, and those having scruples will have to stand on one side. They'll be only too glad to play ball with anybody when the time comes. Sentiment cuts no figure in the present state of affairs. The Sporting Life October 18, 1890

[editorial matter] The situation of the National League is at present anything but cheerful or encouraging. Hope from the law has been evidently abandoned, and an organized plan to capture Players' League men regardless of cost is now being vigorously pursued under the specious plea that “the end justifies the means.” But the scheme is meeting with but meagre success, the results being woefully disproportionate to the labor and expense involved. It is quite probable, however, that the scheme will be persisted in quite up to the opening of the season, and the Players' League will accordingly have to be on guard perpetually, prepared to checkmate every move of the enemy upon its ranks.

[reporting the Board of Arbitration meeting of 3/13] [ruling on the dispute between Columbus and New York for Mike Lehane] Columbus made out a strong case, showing in the evidence submitted that they were clearly entitled to the ex-Buffalo player’s services. It was shown that their negotiations for Lehane were carried on in the regular way, and that they violated no rules in securing the services of this player. Affidavits from Manager Buckenberger, of Columbus; Secretary Fitzgerald, of Buffalo, and Manager Leadley, of Detroit, were submitted in evidence, in addition to an agreement signed by Lehane to play with the Columbus team, and the correspondence bearing on the subject whici proved conclusively that the Buckeye club had a clear title to the tall first baseman. Columbus first purchased Lehane’s relese from Buffalo, which the affidavits of Messrs. Buckenberger and Fitzgerald proved. Then Columbus, being granted permission by Buffalo to do so, negotiated with Lehane through Mr. Leadley acting as agent and got the player to sign an agreement to make a contract with that club as soon as Buffalo gave him his release. On the strength of this promise Buffalo formally released Lehane.

No sooner had the release been promulgated before New York jumped in and induced Lehane to sign a League a contract. Mr. Day had not further evidence to offer than this contract, and, on this technicality, he tried to win the case. Messrs. Buckenberger and Cohen put forth argument to show that New York had no right to make a contract with Lehane, who was reserved by the Buffalo Club, and only released on condition that he would go to Columbus. They further submitted letters Lehane wrote to several frineds in which he informed them that this release had been purchased by Columbus, and in which he stated that he was glad to get out of the International League into fast company, and he felt sure Columbus would be a good place for him to go.

After Messrs. Day, Cohen and Buckenberger withdrew from the room the Board carefully weighed the evidence in the case, but could not agree, and a deadlock, so Manager Buckenberger stated last night, ensued. According to Mr. Buckenberger the Association members voted in favor of Columbus, while the League contingent stood up for New York.

The Association people used some plain words, and the League men say that they meant what they said.

A conference was held with Mr. Day, who being informed of how matters stood, and seeing that Columbus was clearly entitled to Lehane, he decided to withdraw his case and the Board decided that Lehane must go to Columbus. After the decision was made Mr. Cohen volunteered to repay Mr. Day any advances he may have made Lehane and the expenses he incurred in sending that player on the Southern trip with the New York Club. The Evening Item Philadelphia March 14, 1890

[editorial matter by “Veteran”] I feel pretty well convinced that some of the Association Clubs would have been pleased had the result of the Lehane case been different, as it would have given them a chance to get back at the League. It is an utter impossibility for two such organizations as the League and the Association to dwell together in unity, and the fight to the death between them is bound to come sooner or later. The Association cannot forget how it was knifed by the Leauge and when the chance comes it will bury the knife to the hilt in the League carcass. It is but human nature and no one can blame them. The Sunday Item Philadelphia March 16, 1890

[reporting on the Board of Arbitration meeting of 3/13/1890] [ruling on the claims of Columbus and New York for Lehane] The New York Club based its claim upon the player principally upon a technicality, Mr. Day holding that the Columbus' agreement with Lehane wa invalid, because it was given before the player had been released from Buffalo to Columbus. In support of his position Mr. Day cited the case of Mullane, some years ago, which was decided according to the view held by Mr. Day. The latter also claimed that the fact that Lehane was with the rest of the Buffalo players offered for sale to the League after the agreement with Columbus was made, showed that the Buffalo Club was in ignorance of Lehane's agreement. Mr. Day also produced a regular contract which Lehane had signed with the New York Club.

Mr. Buckenberger [manager of the Columbus Club] explained that Lehane's name was sent to the League with his knowledge, inasmuch as he was then still dickering with the player, although he had come to terms with the club.

After both sides had submitted their evidence a long argument took place on the legal points involved. The League members of the Board clung to the Mullane precedent and were strongly in favor of awarding the player to the New York Club. Secretary Phelps, however, disposed of the Mullane precedent by showing the difference between that case and the case under consideration. In the case under consideration three clubs—Toledo, St. Louis and Louisville—were involved, and it became necessary to make the decision that was rendered then to protect the equities of all parties. In the present case Mr. Phelps argued there were no intervening equities; the Columbus Club agreed to pay a certain price to the Buffalo Club for Lehane's release and a few days alter entered into the agreement with the player. No other club or party being interested in the matter between the time the release was purchased and the agreement signed, the deal was consummated and the agreement made valid, inasmuch as the New York Club did not enter the case until long after the agreement was made.

Mr. Von der Ahe agreed with Mr. Phelps, and a deadlock ensued which could not be broken. The League delegates talked and argued, but Phelps so strenuously maintained his position on legal and moral grounds, and Von der Ahe so steadily acted with him, that it was evident that the deadlock could not be broken without a compromise. Accordingly Colonel Rogers left the meeting room, and had a conference with Mr. Day. This conference lasted about twenty minutes, and at times the debate between the two gentlemen grew quite animated, but finally they came to an agreement. Both then entered the meeting, and in a few moments Manager Buckenberger emerged with a smiling face, and announced the Mr. Day had “waived his claims” to the player and the Board had awarded him to Columbus. The Sporting Life March 19, 1890

The Section A cranks, of the Chicago League grounds, have agreed to take a similar part of the grand stand at the Chicago Players' grounds this season.

Lew Simmons, who is doing an excellent business in his cigar emporium on Broad street above Columbia avenue, can't keep out of base ball, it seems, as the ex-manager has organized the Columbia ball club and has so far signed the following players...

[from a long article about past and present baseball manufacture] Beginning the building of a ball, the workman takes from an old peach basket full of rubber spheres one of the little globes. It is the nucleus of the ball. It is made in this country by a rubber company expressly for base ball. For many years, and until three years ago, the rubber balls were imported from England, but there was complaint that the rubber was too dense, and an American rubber company, after many experiments, made a solid rubber ball with a livelier rebound than the imported.

[Boston vs. Brooklyn (NL) 5/2/1890] [byline O. P. Caylor] And now I want to tell you something about coaching. Hermann [Long] and Tommy Tucker [both of the Bostons] doubled up at the business in the second inning, and an excited crowd gathered on the street outside the grounds under the partially mistaken impression that a riot raged within. Heavens, you should have heard them two howl! Six strawberry peddlers doing a competitive business on the same square would have quit and gone out of the ward against this opposition by Long and Tucker. The spectators couldn’t hear their own thoughts, and Tommy Burns, who pulls a pretty deep stroke at coaching himself, didn’t open his mouth for the rest of the day, and when Tommy Burns acknowledges himself worsted in pumping noise the ne plus ultra in that line has been reached, you can bet on it.

[from Chadwick's column] Here is a specimen of the new style of coaching which the South End grounds spectators tolerate because it is indulged in by Boston Club players, whereas when it was confined to Association clubs they pitched into it as “rowdy ball playing.” I take the following from the Boston Herald:

“The feature of the game yesterday above and beyond all others was the loud, bullying, bulldozing coaching of both side, particularly that of Long's on the part of the Boston Club, who out-Kellied Kelly and out-Longed Long in the eal and persistency with which he gave his orders and made himself generally known to the public.

“Get er long thar.

“Hustle yerself lively.

“Don't stick tew the base.

“Git a move enter yerself.

“What yer glued thar fur?

“Only one out—and git along.

“Look-a-there, and see what I told you. Git now.

“Holy Moses, go.

“Git back to yer base, ye lunkhead.

“Dig up the dust and fly.

“Don't stick there like death to a dead nigger, but get up and go!

“Make a bee line fur home, and don't let the beans parboil under her feet!

“Do yer think yer on vacation, that yer stand there when so many good chances are going by?

“Those were the noises that rent the air.”

Tucker bellowed like a bull as of old and this was done to worry the pitcher; not to aid baserunning, for it does not do it even a little bit.

[from the Louisville correspondent] This afternoon Harry L. Means, the official scorer and base ball editor of the Courier-Journal...

[from the Louisville correspondent's column] Harry Means, the clever base ball editor of the Courier-Journal, resigned his position with that paper to-day, and hereafter he will be base ball editor of the Louisville Commercial. The place is said to have been made some better in point of salary than was his position on the Courier-Journal, and I am glad to see him so nicely situated. He id decided the best posted man on base ball in the city, and the paper has secured a good all around man. Harry is to have charge of a general sporting department, which has been crated on the Commercial, and I suppose he will sign himself “Sporting Editor” hereafter.

Mr. Means is succeeded on the Courier-Journal by Mr. R. Semmes Colston, one of that paper's brightest reporters, who was base ball reporter before Mr. Means took the place.

An amusing delay occurred in the third inning of last Tuesday's Cleveland-New York game. Browning refused to take his turn at bat, because his own bat, which is ten years old, very long and heavy, had been hidden. It was restored to him when the spectators grew tired of the joke, and the Gladiator made a safe hit.

There has been but little discussion over the question of permitting team managers to coach on the lines, because the settlement of the war has absorbed the attention alike of magnates and reporters. The question will have to be met and acted upon before spring, however, since the American Association has instructed its contingent upon the joint rules committee to press the question to an issue. The Sporting Life December 13, 1890

The consensus of opinion appears to be against permitting managers to coach. The players especially decry the innovation, and for the very good reason that but few managers would be competent to avail themselves of the permission to coach, even were it granted. The players know of what metal the men who are set up over them are composed, on the average. The Sporting Life January 3, 1891

“'Records don't count. We are looking for men who play for their sides, not for individual advancement,' has long been the cry of the managers of ball clubs,” said George Tebeau the other day. “That cry don't go with me now. The truth of the matter is that managers—that is, most of them—only look at your batting and fielding record. They do'nt care how many times you have taken strikes while waiting to get a base on balls. They don't look at the number of turns you make or the number of bases you have stolen. Your hard hustling work and untiring coaching, by whi8ch you make enemies in other teams, count for nothing. All they look at is the number of hits you made and the errors recorded against you. Chance-taking cuts no figure with them. They talk about it, but that is all they do. I notice when they come to engaging players they take the men with the records. Winning players don't count. The record players are the ones that get the coin.

[reporting the AA meeting 11/22] The representatives of the Toledo, Syracuse and Rochester clubs were on the outlook for combinations or deals, but were not shrewd enough to see one when it came. These delegates were sitting on a volcano, unsuspecting and unconscious of the danger of the fire below, and they innocently voted for a resolution which, in the opinion of shrewd base ball men, just as effectually drops them from the Association, and just as surely, as if the three clubs had been expelled openly and above board and their successors named. When the awakening comes there will be an awful row, but it will be too late then to protest.

The delegates of these three clubs were hoodwinked as easily as the job could have been done in a political convention or Legislature. …

…

...Then came the time to spring the trap for Rochester, Syracuse and Toledo.

A. W. Thurman made a report of his work in connection with the recent conference committee in New York and it was approved with many commendations of his work. Now came the nut of the day.

Mr. Parsons made a motion that a conference committee of three be appointed to arrange the Association circuit for next season, and the following resolution was adopted:

“That the conference committee, consisting of William Barnie, of Baltimore; A. W. Thurman, of Columbus, and Chris Von der Ahe, of St. Louis, be continued in effect, with full power to make such disposition of the Athletic franchise as they may deem to be in the best interest of the Association, and with full power to act in all matters affecting the circuit and welfare of the Association, and to call a meeting of the entire Association at any time and place in the future when deemed necessary.”

It was unanimously carried. This is the boomerang that was expected, but the parties most interested did not see through it. They thought it referred only to the Athletic franchise and that a full meeting of the Association would be necessary to ratify any action the conference committee might take. The resolution does not read that way. Messrs. Thurman, Von der Ahe and Barnie are the members of the committee, and they are all in favor of strengthening the circuit by dropping Toledo, Rochester and Syracuse.

[from Harry Palmer's column] Base ball never reminded me so much of the cheap circus business as it does to-day. The League band wagon and the Brotherhood band wagon draw up in front of my office at the League and Brotherhood headquarters across the street and the musicians, perches upon their gilded wagons in their red coats and gold lace, blow their horns until they are red in the face, while the windows in adjacent business houses are filled with mechanics, shop hands and clerks, who listen until the music ceases and then go back to their desks and benches. Very few of them, however, go to the game. The plumed horses to the band wagons, the gaudy uniforms of the musicians and the flaring announcements which both wagons bear flavor very disagreeably of saw-dust, peanuts and red lemonade. How different from the good old days of 1886, '87, '88 and '89, when the crowds went to the ball games voluntarily and without the aid of band wagons or the catch-penny inducements of “Ladies' Day,” “Professional Day” and the other dizzy devices being resorted to by both local clubs.

[from W. I. Harris's column] In a recent conversation with me President McAlpin explained his position pretty thoroughly. I will not attempt to quote him word for word, but what he said amounted substantially to this. There is no man more anxious to do the fair thing by the players than he is, but there is something of more importance than they are and that is the national game itself. He cares more about the perpetuation of base ball as our national game then he does about the money he has lost. He argues that we do not know what the style of hats and coats may be a year hence. Another year of strife might kill the public interest in base ball altogether, and the people may adopt something else in its stead. I want to take the wisest course towards the restoration of public interest in the game. I do not think that a continuance of the fight will do anything towards that, but if it is necessary to go on against experience and reason, then everybody interested should shoulder his share of the general burden that will be the inevitable result.

“No, I never use a glove on either hand in a game, “said Bid McPhee the other day to a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter. “I have never seen the necessity of wearing one; and, besides, I cannot hold a thrown ball if there is anything on my hands. The glove business has gone a little too far. It is all wrong to suppose that your hands will get battered out of shape if you don't use them. True, hot-hit balls do sting a little at the opening of the season, but after you get used to it there is no trouble on that score. Dunlap, Pfeffer and Yank Robinson always play bare-handed.

[Jack Lynch describing his coaching at Fordham College] To make a player familiar with all positions and points of the game I have a blackboard upon which is marked a correct playing field. I then select a student indiscriminately and ask him what position he plays, or, in the event of his playing a certain position, what he would do, say, if two men were on base and a ball was hit to him. Then I would ask another one, say a first baseman, how he would play his position if there was a man at this base and another at third. Then I ask a shorts top if a pitcher gave him a signal to play in a certain place what he might expect. He would answer, probably a double play. The result of this teaching is that the smallest boy in the college can tell you in an instant all the plays in a game. A code of signals is also taught, and we have them so arranged that they can be changed if by chance they are understood by other parties. New York Sun February 3, 1890

There was little trouble in reaching an agreement between the New York parties, and on Tuesday an understanding was arrived at by which the two clubs will be consolidated, unless the negotiations for peace now pending between the rival leagues fall through and the war breaks out with renewed virulence. On Tuesday Col. E. A. McAlpin, Edward B. Talcott, Frank B. Robinson and Postmaster Van Cott, the leading stockholders in the Players' League club, and John B. Day, of the National League club, met in the office of the Postmaster. The first question put to Mr. Day was:-- “Will you sell?” Mr. Day replied:-- “No; I'd rather go into business with you.” There was some talk over a basis for consolidation. The National League club is incorporated for $100,000, and most of the stock, it is understood, has been paid in. The Players' League club is incorporated for $20,000, but it is in debt to Messrs. McAlpin, Talcott, Van Cott and Robinson for grand stand, grounds, etc., about $80,000. It is probable that a consolidation, if there is one, will be reached on a basis of 50 per cent., each party taking $100,000 of a capital stock of $200,000, at which figure the reorganized club will be incorporated.