Semantic search

Davidson, of Louisville, is very violent in his abuse of Mr. Byrne, of Brooklyn. If it had not been for the prompt work put in by the latter, Davidson would have disposed of his best players, pocketed the proceeds, and left the Association in the lurch. He got tripped up and is naturally bitter on the man from Brooklyn.

Mr. Davidson has little money himself, but has the strongest sort of backing in the shape of the firm for which he has been bookkeeper for several years. This is a wealthy auction and commission house, and Mr. Davidson stands very well with his employers. He owned a good block of the club's stock before he bought out the Phelps brothers and W. L. Lyons, then the president. When they made the “give or take” offer to him last spring he bought them at their price, and him employers promised to help him out of a tight place if the club did not pay its way. When he went in there was $5,000 to the credit of the club in the bank, but this rapidly disappeared before the combined effects of wretched work and bad weather. When the club returned from its second Eastern trip the reserve fund had all been wiped out and there was $2,000 more to be raised. A little money was made later in the season, and Mr. Davidson swapped dates to Cincinnati and Philadelphia, realizing a handsome sum from the extra inducements they offered. But there was a considerable deficit, which was provided for later in the season by the sale of Chamberlain, Collins, and Cross. Mr. Davidson then paid up every cent the club owed and has money to being the new year on and buy one or more players if he wants. He can get all the backing he needs, and it is not at all likely that he will quit the business unless luck goes very much against him, in which event any man is liable to give up. These statements may be regarded as authoritative. New York Sun January 13, 1889

Mr. Davidson owns three-fifth of the stock of the club or three hundred shares. For the stock he bought of Mr. Zack Phelps and his brother last spring he paid $5,700, and it is generally understood that this took about all the money he had. He is consequently depending upon his receipts this season to meet expenses and make a support for himself and family. It was thought for a while that he was being backed by the commission house of he has been head bookkeeper for many years, but the bad success of the club last year disheartened the members of the firm, and they gave Mr. Davidson to understand that he would have to run the club himself. This is the reason he sold the three star players, Chamberlain, Collins, and Cross, last season; it was absolutely necessary to raise money. He can continue to run the club if it is self-sustaining, but not otherwise. He thinks it will be so with the present players, but he is almost alone in his opinion. New York Sun February 24, 1889

[editorial matter] It has been for some time an open secret that the Louisville Club was in a straitened situation. Its support at home has fallen off, for the reason that the patrons of base ball in Louisville—and they are numbered by thousands—lost interest in the club after the management, for money consideration, disposed of such men as Chamberlain, Collins and Cross, and apparently made no effort to strengthen the team. The poor success of the club naturally had its effect, and patronage fell off. … Instead of playing his [Davidson's] scheduled games at home, he is making efforts to have games scheduled to be played in Louisville transferred to other cities. He has already had four transferred to Cincinnati, everyone of which the latter, of course, won. He is now trying to have the series of games scheduled between the Athletics and Louisvilles at Louisville, transferred to Philadelphia. The result is, the press and public of Louisville are up in arms and denouncing the course pursued by the club's management. To keep on changing these games means simply and clearly the breaking up of the Louisville Club... … There is no telling where the demoralizing practice would stop or how it would end, and it is therefore well to call a halt right now... Much to their credit three clubs—Brooklyn, Kansas City and St. Louis—have refused consent to any further changes in the schedule. This whole business is another evidence of the narrow, selfish methods which govern a number of the Association clubs, who never seem to be able to see anything beyond their gate receipts and the fences enclosing their grounds or to realize that a championship won or a place in the race secured under such methods will redound but little to the credit of the club securing either in the estimation of the base ball world, and therefore at the next annual meeting of the Association the constitution should be amended to absolutely prohibit the transfer of scheduled games except in the case of single postponed games which it may be impossible to play off in any other way.

[Chicago vs. Indianapolis 4/30/1889] On account of his indifferent work with the stick in the past few games, Manager Bancroft placed Hines down in the batting order and put Glasscock at the top. Indianapolis Journal May 1, 1889 [N.B. Glasscock was the team captain.]

J. D. Shibe & Co., the well-known Philadelphia manufacturers of base balls and base ball goods exclusively, have by reason of increased business found it necessary to build a new factory which is one of the largest in the country. The main building is 100 x 40 feet in extent and consists of five floors. This is supplemented by a large warehouse for the storage of goods. In the basement of the main building will be found the engine room and packing department, on the first floor the office and pressing and winding machinery as well as the immense drying room, capable of holding 2000 dozen balls. On the second floor is the sewing department for the fine grades of balls. In the later department skilled men only are employed, this firm being the first to originate this feature, the only successful system we believe, of placing on balls covers that will not rip or loosen in batting. The third floor contains the sewing department for medium grades, retailing for twenty-five cents and fifty cents; here some fifty or sixty girls are employed. Altogether the factory gives work to about 250 hands, who actually turn out daily 1500 dozen balls. The cheapest grades are given out for sewing to married women who return them to the factory when finished.

[from an interview of James Coogan] Colonel Coogan assured a reporter that Mayor Hugh J. Grant would surely sign the lease to-day. There are two other capitalists who are going to sign also to-day. Mayor Grant, Mr. Coogan said, had been in the Brotherhood project from the beginning, and was one of the warmest and staunchest friends the players had.

Nobody ever though it was possible for Mike Kelly to have stage fright, but he had a bad dose of it yesterday when he essayed to recite “Casey at the Bat” before a Boston audience. He couldn't spunk up enough courage to open his mouth, so he was introduced to show that the managers of the performance had not deceived the public, and was bowed off the stage on the threadbare excuse of a bad col. There are two serious rumors afloat in regard to this sudden shyness on the part of the $10,000 beauty. He had never been known to shake when 30,000 eyes were levelled at him on the ball field, but he was keeled over by the audience that attended the Elks' benefit at the Boston Theatre. Kelly told some friends that he was afraid of being hissed, and he knew that would break him up. There were others who openly avow that “the only” was incapable of making a speech.

[Boston vs. Cleveland 10/2/1889] The most notable occurrence in connection with the last game between the Bostons and Clevelands to-day was the ejection of Capt. Kelly, who was not in the game, from the grounds in compliance with the order of Umpire McQuaid, whom he had insulted. The disturbance occurred in the seventh inning when the Spiders had scored five runs. Bennett had retired on a chance to the outfield and Clarkson got his base on balls. Richardson hit for two bases and tried to score when Nash hit to right. He was declared out and Kelly came up from the visiting players’ bench wildly gesticulating and declaring that the decision was wrong. “You came West to beat Boston out of the championship so that you could umpire in the world’s series for New York,” he said, and the umpire ordered him removed from the grounds. Kelly resisted the officer and two more policemen came to the latter’s assistance. No player was ever before ejected from the Payne Avenue Grounds. The Boston captain was exasperated at the decision of McQuaid and was also slightly under the influence of liquor, the result of the preceding night.

[from a letter from A. G. Mills] The National Agreement was created at a meeting of the Arbitration Committee held in New York in October, 1883. The draft of that instrument as prepared and submitted by me contained no provision for the exclusive occupancy by a particular club of a particular city, nor for the transfer of a club from one association to another. The clause containing such a provision was added at the instance of the American Association's delegates, pursuant to the unanimous vote of instructions given by that body to its delegates. The clause containing these stipulations was the only addition advocated by any of the delegates and was incorporated in the instrument as the seventh article of the Agreement, which was shortly afterwards ratified and adopted by the unanimous vote of the Northwestern and National Leagues and the American Association.

[from a letter from A. G. Mills] The proposition that these express contract stipulations [i.e. the reserve clause] confer upon a club complying with the specified conditions the exclusive right—as against the whole world—to the service of the contracting player “for the season next ensuing the term mentioned in paragraph 2,” does not need the opinions of eminent counsel, the clear demonstration in your editorial of Oct. 2, nor judgment of courts to sustain it; nor can any conceivable jugglery with justice weaken its force. It is perfectly plain and obvious in itself. No intelligent player could possibly have understood it differently, and if any “leader” has succeeded in persuaded a fellow player to accept any different view of his duty, he has simply burdened his own conscience without in any degree impairing the contract obligation.

An ingenious Bostonian is coining money by means of a device which he has duly copyrighted, whereby the ball cranks of the Hub can be given almost as good an exhibition of the games played by their club abroad as they could from their own grand-stand were the games played at home. He has rented Music Hall, and on a huge blackboard, covering a large portion of one end of the auditorium, the ball field is represented. The players are represented by pins placed in the positions the men occupy. An operator sits in the Indianapolis grand-stand, for instance, and as each man steps to the plate the result of his effort is promptly wired, and the pin so moved as to indicate exactly what has happened. Base hits, errors, runs, fly catches, assists—everything, in short, is exactly reproduced. Five thousand people in Boston witnessed the Boston-Indianapolis game by this means yesterday and day before at 10 cents a head. Indianapolis Journal June 26, 1889

The game of the Philadelphia and Indianapolis teams yesterday [played in Philadelphia] was shown on McDaniel's black-board at Tomlinson Hall to about 500 people. That of to-day will be presented with the little annoyances that attended the first presentation wholly overcome. Ladies are admitted free. Indianapolis Journal July 9, 1889

The Philadelphia-Indianapolis game at Tomlinson Hall, yesterday afternoon, was witnessed by a much larger crowd than the opening game, and the apparatus worked more perfectly, very few mistakes occurring. To-day's game will be called at 3 o'clock prompt, Indianapolis time. Beside the game played on the black-board, showing the plays as they occur, two large score-boards have been placed on the stage, to be sued in scoring all the games. Indianapolis Journal July 10, 1889

The base-ball games at Tomlinson Hall are attracting large crowds, and the thorough manner in which they are given makes them very interesting. Every detail of the contest is shown as it occurs, even down to the number of balls, strikes, fouls, and all other minor incidents of that character, as rapidly as they take place. Men are seen on the bases, and every movement is noted with accuracy. When a hit is made it is known to what part of the field the ball went, and how it was handled. A new feature has been added to the system in the way of two large score boards, one for the Hoosiers and the other for their opponents, on which a complete score of the game is kept, showing just how every play is made. In this way the contest can be followed from start to finish. When a brilliant play is made it is so announced, even to the extent of telling with what hand the fielder picked up the ball. In short, the game is as complete as one could wish. Indianapolis Journal July 12, 1889

Immense crowds have attended the mimic games played by electricity here [Boston] in Music Hall daily, and the enterprise has been crowned with the greatest success. There is great applause at every successful play of the Bostons. All of the Western games of the Bostons will be reported in this way. Chicago Tribune June 30, 1889 [See also CT 890707c]

It is true that some of the minor leagues pay as large salaries to good men as the major organizations, but the leagues which are doing so are losing money by the thousands, and are slowly fading away, and in the opinion of shrewd observers it is only a question of time when baseball in the minor leagues will get down to hard pan, and the number of such organizations will fall away to almost nothing.

[editorial matter] The Southern League in its efforts at retrenchment has acted well in every direction but one. The reduction of the umpires' salaries to $125 per month, including expenses, was most unwise, as it will impair the League's service in a most important particular. It will be utterly impossible to secure umpires of even mediocre calibre for that money, and if there is any section where good umpires are needed it is in the fiery South. It would have been far better had the League not reduced the amount from the old figure, $175 per month, and it would be well to reconsider and return to that figure. Better economize at some other point, or if that be impossible, make up the difference somehow and have a decent umpire service—a most essential requisite to good ball playing and popular enjoyment of the game.

[reporting the Arbitration Committee meeting 11/11/1889] ...the minor league delegates were invited into the meeting, the object being to hold a general consultation as to the advisability of making changes. These gentlemen had previously held a consultation for the purpose of deciding what changes in the supplementary articles they should urge. Spalding's famous scheme of classifying the minor leagues...was unanimously sat upon, and when it was presented in the joint conference the representatives of the Western and Atlantic associations attacked it so fiercely that the International delegates had no opportunity to express their views before Mr. Spalding came forward and said he would withdraw it.

The matter of reducing the tax for minor league protection was then taken up, the minor league delegates favoring a considerable reduction. In the midst of the discussion upon this matter President Hoch, of Minneapolis, arose and made a new and novel point, which at once captured the fancy of the entire minor league delegation and promptly squelched all idea of a reduction of the tax. Mr. Hoch held that the three principal minor leagues present should be perfectly willing to have the present high tax retained as a measure of self-protection. If the tax were lowered he held that every petty state league in the country would be enabled to secure reservation privileges, and that the minor leagues, after disposing of their rising talent to the major leagues, would in turn have to go to the little leagues and purchase players, thus simply nullifying all the financial advantages derived from the present system of holding and disposing of players. This argument was so plausible and touched the minor leagues so effectually at that tender spot—the pockets—that the resolution requesting a reduction was promptly withdrawn.

In the new Brooklyn grand stand the morning newspaper men are separated from the reporters of the afternoon papers. This is a happy thought and merits the attention of all clubs in cities where large numbers of the journalistic fraternity turn out to witness the games, because the average newspaper pen is anything but a comfortable place to work in; not because of lack of room, but because, as a rule, the morning paper contingent are present to work while the rest of the newspaper men gather simply to have a good view of the game, talk shop and exchange views with more or less emphasis.

It looks as if the National League club operators had little confidence in the reserve rule upon which they declare they rest their legal case against the ball players who have gone away from them. A number of the men who have left the brotherhood and gone back to the league clubs have signed contracts for a term of years, and more men who have not broken away have been offered contracts for more than one season. The fact is that the reserve rule has outlived its usefulness if it ever had any. It has been a delusion and a snare from its inception. The excuse behind its false front was that it enabled a small town to hold part of or a full team when it could not do so in an open market with the larger cities as bidders. When the rule was passed in 1880 but five players could be reserved. Gradually the number has been increased to fourteen. The scheme behind it was to enable the large cities to get a team at small city salaries and create large and steady profits at the expense of the player.

Side by side with the reserve rule went the percentage system of dividing the gate receipts. This percentage was never more than 33 1/3, in 1887 it was abolished altogether, and now is, 40. Both the reserve rule and small percentage plan favored the larger cities, and by a combine they have been able to make steady profits and keep the game going by means of new recruits from the smaller towns attracted by ambition, hope, promises, and base-ball “fanism.” There was a natural way to operate base ball. It required no reserve rule, but would have meant smaller profits for the big clubs, an open labor market, and an equal division of the gate receipts. As it is, the big clubs have had all the benefits and none of the hardships of base-ball. They have set the financial pace on salaries and, by drawing the lion's share of the profits, forced the smaller clubs to extra expense with far less than even chances to make extra earnings. This is a succinct history of the inception and operation of the reserve rule, which as late as three years ago was never held to be binding outside of a league. The national agreement could not change the meaning of the term, though it did increase the number of people bound by it.

...[Nat Hudson] has given the Browns a great deal of trouble by insubordination. He has been away from the St. Louis team for some time resting at his home in Chicago and under suspension.

His is a capable young player, and the change to Louisville may be beneficial to him. The chief trouble with him seems to be that he has some money, and is independent of ball playing.

[quoting Nick Young] To remove an umpire at the demand of any single club would be not only grossly unfair to the official thus suffering, but spread demoralization, timidity and time serving among the rest of the staff, where fearlessness and impartiality should rule. My policy will be in the future, as it has been in the past, to assure the members of the corps of umpires that they are fixtures in their positions, to be disturbed only on the most convincing evidence of dishonesty or incompetency and proof of really poor work, attested not by one, but by several clubs.

[from Chadwick's column] A writer in the New York Mail and Express advocates a new way of numbering the players on the score sheets. He says:

“The pitcher is numbered 1 in all cases, catcher 2, first base 3, second base 4, short stop 5, third base 6, right field 7, centre field 8, and left field 9. For example, if a ball is hit to third base and the runner is thrown out at first base, without looking at the score card it is known that the numbers to be recorded are 6-3, the former getting the assist, and the first baseman the put-out. If from short stop to first, it is 5-3. If from the second baseman, it is 4=3. If a dropped third strike, and the runner is thrown out a first, it is K 1-2-3-K, indicating the strike out.”

This is a faulty method, and in no respect is it an improvement on the plan which has been in vogue since the National League was organized, and that is the method used in Beadle's Dime Book of Base Ball in 1860. This plan numbers the players in their striking order, and not by their positions, for instance, take the New York order of striking Gore Tiernan and Richardson 1, 2, 3. No matter what position these players take in the field the figures always indicate them. But if you name the players by their positions, and these happen to be changed in a game, then you are all in a fog on how to change them.

“The case of Rowe and White,” said Mr. Hanlon, “has been really what has spurred the players to take a stand. They were most unjustly dealt with, and when the Brotherhood took Rowe's case in hand it received a very severe snub from the League magnates. Now let me explain this, because it is important that the public should now know the features of that case. When President Stearns, of Detroit, resolved to sell Rowe and White to Pittsburg against their will, Rowe went to him and respectfully asked that he receive a portion of the purchase money, and he added that, if that was done, he would willingly go to Pittsburg.

“However, Stearns replied that the deal was entirely between him, Mr. Stearns and President Nimick, of Pittsburg, and that Rowe had nothing whatever to do with it. This touched the player's manhood and he went home and commenced business for himself. But he wasn't even allowed to do that, and then the Brotherhood requested the League to have representatives of the two organizations meet and discuss the matter. As a result, the League replied that the case was not of sufficient importance to convene a special meeting to discuss it. This was an insult. Why, when a dispute arose about a game between the Detroit and New York clubs a special meeting was called at Asbury Park within a very short time. That case was certainly of no more importance than one that concerned the bread and butter of two of the most respectable and two of the ablest players in the country. But the disputed game concerned the magnates and the other case in question concerned the players. Well, that case stirred up the Brotherhood, and I may say it made the players resolve to take a stand. That stand will be taken.” Pittsburgh Dispatch October 14, 1889

Jack Rowe, of Pittsburgh, was asked if it was the Brotherhood movement that culminated to-day [11/5] that induced White and himself to go to Pittsburg when they did and play the season out. “Yes, that it was,” he said. “We got a long letter from John Ward, and upon consideration determined to go to Pittsburg. After I had been there a few days a reporter asked me how I liked the place. I think I told him I liked it as well as Oshkosh, Kalamazoo or some place of that sort. We played against our will, and told Nimick so. We wanted to get a release, but all the satisfaction we could get from Stearns, of Detroit, was 'play in Pittsburg or get off the earth.' The League has brought this action upon itself. Imagine a case like my own. We were not permitted, on account of a rule distorted to suit the purposes of the magnates, to act like free men and play where we chose. I feel like a manumitted slave.” Pittsburgh Dispatch November 6, 1889

[reporting the Players League meeting 11/6/1889] The whole business of the morning session was a discussion of the form of contract to be signed by the players. The capitalists seemed to want some guarantee that they would be able to keep their players longer than a year, and it was finally decided to make a contract for three years. … ...the old National League contract was read over and its most objectionable features, notably the salary limit clause and the reserve rules stricken out. With these omissions and one or two minor additions the new contract will be drafted after the general form of the old one. The Sporting Life November 13, 1889

[reporting the Players League meeting 11/8/1889] The Committee on Contract reported a paper which was thoroughly satisfactory to the delegates. It abolishes the technical word “reserve,” and provides for a three years’ service. In other words, each player will sign a three years’ contract outright. In the place of the “ten days notice” clause in the National League contract, there is a provision which allows a club to dispense with a player only at the end of the season, and only after five of the eight directors of the club with which he is under contract have decided that his services are no longer required. No classification will be allowed. The Philadelphia Item November 8, 1889

The little office at Sportsman's Park was the scene of a couple of heated interviews yesterday in which the boss president and his “hold-out” players were the principals. Tommy McCarthy put in an appearance yesterday morning and submitted his figures. The boss president gasped for breath when his eye rested on them. Then and there ensued a sulphurous dialogue, which terminated by the withdrawal of McCarthy. Silver King then tried his hand and said he was willing to pitch this season for $3,500, or $600 a month or $150 a week, which equals $50 a game. The boss president looked as if he needed stimulants when King finished. He said he was thinking of offering the big pitcher $2500, but would not cut down on that figure. After the séance he issued an order barring the “hold-outs” from the park. Robinson, Devlin, King, Chamberlin and McCarthy have not signed. St.

While rumor has been busy with the plans and intentions of the New York Club, the officials of that organization have begun negotiations to acquire a leasehold of property at the upper terminus of the West Side Elevated road. The property in regard to which negotiations have begun is certainly quite as desirable as were the Polo Grounds. It is much more accessible, and it affords infinitely better opportunities for gathering and dispersing crowds of people. It is situated across the Harlem River, at One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, within about two blocks of the elevated station at that point. It is quite as easily reached by boats on the Harlem River, by trains on the new York and Northern road, and by trains on the New York Central and Harlem roads, the Central Company having promised to run a side track directly to the grounds. Boats by way of the Harlem River can, of course, come from down town, affording quick and easy opportunity for the contingent of base ball enthusiasts in the business centres to reach the grounds with very little trouble. The property is owned by the Astor estate, and those who propose to lease it will take about 10 of the 20 acres in the plot, if the negotiations succeed, as seems now likely. The Sporting Life February 20, 1889

[from an interview of an unidentified director of the New York Club] It looks as if our grounds were gone, and we will have to do the best we can under the circumstance. We will probably play for a month or two at St. George, S.I., and by that time we may have our new grounds ready. They belong to the Lynch estate, but are not on the west side of Eighth avenue. We have not got the pro0perty yet, but I may be able to say something definite in a day or two. The property we want runs from Eighth avenue to the Harlem River at One-hundred-and-fifty-fifth street. If we secure that property, which runs to the river, we will be able to run boats to and from the grounds. The Sporting Life February 27, 1889

[an item from George Stackhouse] While the Giants are satisfied to rally around their pennant flags at St. George this summer, the players don't see to like the idea of making St. George their permanent home. I don't think the team will stay there, in spite of Mr. Day's assertion that in case he likes the place that he “may conclude to make Staten Island the permanent home grounds of the Giants.” I am informed on good authority that the future home grounds of the New York Club will be embraced in the territory bounded by One Hundred and Forty-fifth and One Hundred and Forty-seventh streets and Seventh and Lenox avenues. The grounds are now being filled in, and will be ready for next season's game, I think. Much of the place is marshy, and not only has to be filled in, but innumerable pile drivers will be kept at work for several weeks yet. Standing at the corner of One Hundred and Forty-seventh street and Seventh avenue yesterday, I noticed the work going on, and wondered what it was all about. The contractor approached, and I asked him. “Why, that is the future home ground of the giants,” said he. “The grand stand will be guilt in that corner where the men are sinking so many piles into the soft earth. They propose to put up a monster grand stand there, and they want a sold foundation for it. You don't believe it, do you? Well, I will bet you $100 to $25 that the Giants play right here next year.” I did not take the bet. The man seemed to know what he was talking about. The contractor also told me the reason why the New York Club did not purchase the Lynch property at One Hundred and Fifty-seventh street and Eighth avenue. “That is low, marshy ground,” said he, “and in case the company wanted to sell it for building purposes in a few years they would find they had a white elephant on their hands. That is the reason that a few weeks ago Mr. Day advertised for some persons to purchase that property, agreeing to pay $6000 a year rental for a five or ten years' lease.” The Sporting Life May 1, 1889

the California League on the National Agreement and the reserve

[from a letter from Jas. L. Gillis of the Sacramento Club] [regarding California League clubs making offers to reserved players] ...such a course is not only not dishonorable or in the least indicative of a sneak, but on the contrary simply the exercise of a business right which every employer has the right to exercise in his endeavors to employ competent men to render him service. This practice is recognized by every known rule governing the relationship of employer and employee, in the absence of a special agreement to the contrary, and is well settled by precedents established and followed by the very men who now claim that such a course is not only unbusiness-like but dishonorable. In 1887, when Mr. A. G. Spalding, in the exercise of the very privilege that we of the California League now claim, engaged George Van Haltren to play with the Chicago Club, thereby crippling the Oakland Cub to such an extent as to jeopardize its existence, did Mr. Ovens or an other person affirm either publicly or privately that Mr. Spalding was a sneak, or dishonorable, or that he had been guilty of conduct which should cause him to be held up to the contumely and contempt of his fellow-men? Equally is this true in 1888, when Mr. Spalding took from the California League players George Borchers, and also is the same thing true when W. A. Nimick, of Pittsburg, took Mr. Knell from the same League in the middle of the season. Not a protestation, not even a word from anyone that either of these gentlemen had been guilty of anything that was dishonorable, on the contrary, their efforts in this direction were cited as evidence of their untiring zeal to secure the best talent available for their respective nines. Certainly the example of such men so well and favorably known in connection with the National game is worthy of emulation by us who are as yet but infants in the business, and when we do follow in their footsteps our acts should not be the subject of such reckless and uncalled-for attacks as the one already referred to. As to the merits of the National Agreement, with its reserve rule, and whether it is for the best interests of the California League to become a party to that agreement, I have at this time nothing to say, but I do insist that I shall not be the subject of attack and abuse by those who, when the same thing is done by others, have only words of praise. The Sporting Life February 20, 1889

The Giants have made a start in their new home at St. George, and considering the strong attraction offered by the magnificent Centennial procession,s have done fairly well in the way of attendance. The three games played on Centennial days, drew 9181 spectators. There was a steady increase each day, as the figures 2795, 2967 and 3419 show. This would indicate an attendance for the season at Staten Island of 200,000, about 80,000 less than the number that visited the Polo Grounds last year. The Sporting Life May 8, 1889

[from W. I. Harris's column] There is no doubt that the New York Club's tenancy of the ST. George grounds will, in any event, end with the present season. The Chicago series satisfied me of that. There was 2585 people at the first game, but the weather was bad. There were 1926 at the second game; weather fair. Friday was a base ball day—as perfect as it is possible to get—yet only 2009 people were in attendance. This afternoon was also a good day. Being Saturday, the attendance was about doubled, say 3500. say 10,000 people for the four games, and the Chicago Club is one of the greatest attractions we have. This is just about one-half of what the four games would have drawn if played somewhere up town. It is obvious, therefore, that the New York Club will get out of Staten Island as soon as it is possible for them to do so. The Sporting Life May 29, 1889

A paper was read at the Players' League meeting estimating the profits of the New York Club in 1889 at home at $30,300. While the traveling expenses were included in the expenditures not a cent was allowed for the club's share of the gate receipts while playing abroad, and in Boston along it played before more than 70,000 people. The table follows:

Income

250,000 admissions, at 50 cents............................ $125,000

100,000 admissions to grand stand, at 25 cents.... 25,000

Total receipts............................................. $150,000

Expenditures Last Season

Salaries................................................................. $ 50,000

Traveling expenses................................................ 15,000

Ground rent........................................................... 5,000

Help at the grounds................................................ 4,000

Advertisements in daily papers, 70 days, at $60

per day....................................................... 4,200

For supplies, such as uniforms and necessaries

at the grounds............................................ 4,000

Percentages paid to visiting clubs on 250,000

admissions, at 15 cents.............................. 37,600

Total output............................................... $119,700

Recapitulation

250,000 admissions, at 50 cents............................ $125,000

100,000 admissions to grand stand, at 25 cents.... 25,000

Total receipts........................................................ $150,000

Expenses............................................................... 119,700

Balance in favor of club............................ $ 30,300

This is quite an interesting statement in view of the fact that the New York Club was declared to have made no money last season.

Director Appleton, of the New York Base Ball Club, supplements the above with a statement that the club's expenses last year were about $125,000 and the receipts $170,000, leaving a net profit of $45,000.

[from W. I. Harris's column] The New York Club officials are feeling pretty sore over their treatment by their players. They paid to players in salaries and “divies” in the two World's series during the past two seasons over $100,000, and against it they got about $75,000 in profits. Out of this they paid something like $20,000 for the losses of the Jersey City team and $25,000 for their grand stand. It will be seen therefore that the players really received more money out of the business than the magnates. All the men admit that they were treated splendidly, and yet the New York team will be the worst sufferer by the players' movements, if the law does not protect them, of any of the League clubs. Not a man has signified his intention of standing by John B. Day so far, and as far as I can learn there are not more than three of the Giants who are likely to do so, except under compulsion, and only one of the three is a star.

Walter Appleton says that he has not sold and will not sell his stock in the New York Club.

[from an interview of Young] There is no doubt in my mind that the patrons of the game would be better pleased with two umpires than one, and the experience of this season has demonstrated this fact to my entire satisfaction. Not that there is any objection to the staff of League umpires as it exists to-day, so far as the officials of the League are concerned, for we think our selections for these trying places have all endeavored to do their duty conscientiously and without favor to home or visiting clubs, as often alleged. But there is a demand for two umpires which cannot be ignored, and for my part I shall favor eight good men being chosen for these places next year. It will not do to have home umpires. That experiment has been tried too often and invariably resulted in more evil than good. What is required is to have an octette of umpires who shall be subject to orders as at present, and thus all talk of favoritism will be reduced to a minimum.

[from an interview of Young] There is just one change I think out to be made before the beginning of another season. Under the present rule a foul tip taken by the catcher standing within ten feet of the home plate is not out. This is as it should be, but I would not have this very pretty play go for nothing. A hot foul tip neatly taken from the bat is one of the prettiest plays to be seen in the game. I remember well when Doug Allison introduced the play. He was the first catcher to successfully hold these foul tips, and the play made a great sensation. I would amend the present rule so that a foul tip if caught should count as a strike. There is reason in this. Nine times in ten a ball that is fouled would have been s strike if the batsman had missed it. If it is a foul and can not be caught out neither pitcher nor catche4r gets credit for it. Certainly the pitcher should profit in some small degree by every ball that goes over the plate that is not fairly hit. On long foul flies the catcher and fielders have a chance, and on hot foul tips at least a third as much credit should go to the pitcher as for striking a man out. Let a foul tip caught count as a strike and I am satisfied the change will be accepted by the profession and public alike as an improvement. The Sporting Life September 4, 1889

a protested game, premonition of Merkle's boner; trophy ball; two umpire failure; when the game ends

[Boston vs. Philadelphia 8/26/1889] The row at the Philadelphia ground last Monday is to be exceedingly regretted, because it is the first time such a thing happened at the Philadelphia ball park, and also because it brought the game to an unsatisfactory conclusion and necessitated a protest from the Philadelphia Club, which was drawn up by Colonel Rogers and forwarded to President Young on the following day. A good deal of undeserved censure was heaped upon Mike Kelly, whereas only the umpires and the crowd were to blame—the former for failing to remain at their places to watch the play and see that the game was brought to a proper conclusion, and the people for not remaining in their seats. Kelly was not to be blamed for holding on to the ball, which action started the row, as he was entirely ignorant of Johnston's failure tot ouch first bas, and according to custom was entitled to the ball last in use. Farrar has been censured for attempting to take the ball from Kelly, it being held that he did not need the ball in order to make a claim, but he did. According to the rules Johnston was out for not running to first base, but the umpirew had to decide whether he was or not, and even if they did not see the play, by admitting that much they would have given a decision which would have ended the game properly. …

…

[from the Phillies' protest] “The Philadelphia Club had completed its twelfth inning with a score of four runs. The Boston Club, with a similar score, had two men out and two players, Kelly and Brouthers, occupying respectively second and first bases, with Johnston at the bat. The latter made a base hit to centre field, upon which Kelly ran home. Johnston, who made the hit, ran about two-thirds of the way towards first base, then turned to the right, walked outside of the 'three feet line' and over to the players' bench and did not afterwards touch first base or make any attempt to do so.

“In the meantime the ball was thrown in from the field, but not to the Philadelphia pitcher. It was picked up by a Boston player and given to Mr. Kelly, captain of the Boston team.

“Captain Farrar, of the Philadelphia team, demanded the surrender of the ball from Captain Kelly, but the latter refused to give it up, claiming that the game was over and the ball belonged to the victors.

“The game not being legally completed this refusal to surrender the ball was an obstruction to its fielding, and under the rules put Mr. Johnston out.

“Unfortunately, neither of the two umpires was on the field to decide the point, they having run under the pavilion to avoid the crowd which had occupied the infield immediately upon Mr. Kelly's refusal to surrender the ball.

“Although their powers as umpires ceased the momement they left the field, sill, in justice to Messrs. Curry and McQuaid, they now maintain that they were so interested in watching the ball when hit safely to centre field that neither saw what Johnston did nor where he ran. In other words, they did not obey the plain mandate of rule 52, which makes them remain 'masters of the field from the commencement to the termination of the game,' and the game could not terminate, under rule 22, section 2, paragraph B, until 'the return of the ball to the pitcher.' In point of fact, the game never legally terminated, because the ball was never so returned to the pitcher, and for that reason along must be set aside as irregular....” The Sporting Life September 4, 1889

The protested Philadelphia-Boston game of Aug. 26 has been decided adversely to the Philadelphia Club by the League board of directors, Messrs. Day, Brush and Hewitt voting to count the game for Boston and Mr. Nimick for a draw. Such a result was to have been expected; but if the Philadelphia Club's protest served no other purpose it at least called attention to the fact that the law which provides for the legal termination of game is virtually a dead letter and that the rule ordering the return of the ball to the pitcher in his position after the winning run has been scored in the last inning before the third man is out is not observed at all. In fact, the rule seems superfluous, it being almost impossible to enforce it, as the moment the winning run is made the crowd surges upon the field and surrounds the players without waiting to see what becomes of the ball. The Sporting Life September 25, 1889

[from F. W. Arnold's column] [reporting on the meeting of the Columbus Club] A resolution was adopted that no intoxicating drinks would be sold or allowed on the grounds next season. The directors are determined that Recreation Park shall be a place where gentlemen can take their wives and families with no danger of seeing any brawling or disorder.

The best behaved crowds at the Cincinnati park are the Sunday crowds, for the reason that not a drop of liquor is sold on that day. The reform is a good one to work seven days in seven. The thirsty can find relief in “pop,” lemonade and ginger ale at least two hours out of twenty-four.

The Cleveland club could have stood a little coaching on Wednesday with advantage. A game is never lost until the twenty-seventh man has been retired, and until he is it is a duty ball players owe to the public which supports them to make the game as interesting as possible, and that can only be done by the players themselves manifesting some interest in the proceedings. On two occasions when Cleveland runners were on third there was no one on the coaching line. That’s not the way to play wining ball., quoting the Philadelphia North American

Staten Island's grand stand has no wire screen, which makes foul balls dangerous for ladies.

The managers of the Philadelphia Club have effected arrangements with the Postal Telegraph Company, and through them with the American District Telegraph Company, by which the patrons of the club can be notified on cloudy days and after a morning's storm as to whether the ground will permit a game or not, thus avoiding a long journey to the ball park at the risk of finding a wet field. Cards announcing either “game” or “no game” will be displayed on such days between the hours of 2:30 and 4 o'clock P.J., at the following places:--Pennsylvania Railroad, Broad Street Station; Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, Columbia Avenue Station, and the following American District Telegraph offices...

Messrs. Dickson & Talbott called at The News office this afternoon and authorized the statement hta tthey will make this offer for the ball club. They will pay all debts, dollar for dollar, amounting in all to over $20,000 providing the franchise, players, lease of the grounds and bill of sale of the grand stand are turned over to them, and they will agree to maintain the club here and strengthen it wherever possible. This is the most liberal proposition made yet and should be accepted, unless a better one should be made. If accepted, it will wipe out all the debts of the club, by paying them off, and place it in the hands of men who will have a great int3resttt in seeing that it is managed properly. The proposition that was sent on to President Young this afternoon, proposes to pay the $10,000 due to the directors and in bank, and $9,250, due the guarantors, and the $1,000, which is Mr. McCutcheon's claim, and any other debts.

Mr. Brush said this afternoon that he and others had formed a stock company to-day and that they would send on to President Young this evening a formal application for the franchise. They have a capital stock of $30,000, and the company is composed of the following gentlemen: Fred Mayer, R. K. Sylers, George Branham, William Schmidt, A. B. Meyer, C. F. Meyer, John T. Brush, Tom Taggart and Ford woods. Mr. Brush says that they stand in exactly the same position as other applicants for the franchise. The company will be formally incorporated this evening.

Secretary Young's official League score blanks contain in the summary, besides the usual items, “attendance” and “umpire hit by thrown ball.” The second item was suggested by Secretary Hawley, of Cleveland.

[editorial matter] The practice of playing two games in one afternoon for one admission fee has been run into the ground this season and should receive the attention of the law makers next winter. Double games are excusable late in the season, when it is impossible to play off postponed games in any other way, but this year the practice was started early in the season and has been going on here and there ever since. The chief objection to double games is that the public is given far more than its money's worth and will gradually come to look upon a single game as either worth only half the present admission fee or to demand longer games or double games as a regular thing, even to the extend of playing these games by schedule. At any rate, by occasional double games for one admission the regularly scheduled games are cheapened by comparison, and this should not be encouraged by club owners. Far better to play postponed games in the forenoons, even to the smallest number of paying spectators, or else not play them at all.

[reporting on the Arbitration Committee meeting of 11/11] It was expected that the new classification scheme of Mr. Spalding would be introduced, and it was. This scheme was to classify all minor league cities according to their population, and have a definite salary limit. Then, if a major league club desired a player he must be released at a week's notice and at a stipulated amount already agreed upon. The different minor leagues were to be apportioned into four classes, with a separate salary limit for each. After the scheme was presented the representatives of the Western and Atlantic Associations attacked it so fiercely that the International delegates had no opportunity to express their views before Mr. Spalding came forward and said he would withdraw it.

It was learned yesterday from a good source that the National League is working on the “still-hunt” plan and signing minor league players, or securing options on their services in case the brotherhood revolt goes as per program, as fast as possible. Fifty young players are said to be secured already. Chicago has four or five on its list, among them Cooney and Nagle of this year's Omaha team. The latter pair were secured through Frank Selee, the new manager of the Bostons, for $3,000. Omaha kicks on the deal and threatens to take it to the Arbitration Board.

There is no doubt that all the league clubs are gathering for the purpose of filling up their teams when the brotherhood declares itself. The league men still doubt the actual end of the brotherhood's move. President Reach of the Philadelphia club recently wrote to Secretary Morton of the Western Association asking for a list of the promising young players in his association. Philadelphia has bought First Baseman Virtue of Detroit and Field Burke and Pitcher Vickery of Toronto. It has also signed Catcher Decker, a non-brotherhood man belonging to this year's team. Boston has as good as secured Pitcher Nichols of Omaha, and is after Pitchers Dooms of Newark, Clark of Omaha, and Calihan of Buffalo.

[from a letter from Jno. T. Pope to Chadwick] Last season we rented three of the amateur parks, which are enclosed, charging a small fee, 10 cents, for expenses of umpire and scorer. There were no restrictions placed upon clubs securing players, save that no remuneration must be given in any way for services rendered. A list of 12 players was sent in before the playing season, and only players on that list could play with the club which sent in their names. This brought in our ranks many professional and semi-professional players, who spent most of their time playing through Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, etc., but returned Saturday and Sunday to play in our and the City league. This was, I think, unfair to the mercantile boys, who had no time for practice, only just before the game, and gave some clubs an advantage over others. Almost one-half of our players, too, belonged to the City League, which plays every Sunday afternoon. They received from $2 to #6 per game, according to the crowd.

The men who will back the new Brotherhood club of this city are now definitely known... viz.:--Henry M. Love, John Vanderslice, H. L. Taggart, W. H. Whitall, J. W. Allen, G. W. Autoe, J. E. Wagner, B. F. Hilt and E. T. Elliott. Hild was a fast friend of Al Reach's and the financial manager of the Philadelphia Club during the past season, a position which he has resigned. It is said that when his connection with the new movement became known, he and Col. John I. Rogers had quite a lively interview, in which the Colonel censured Hilt for stating that the Philadelphia Club had cleared over $30,000 in the past season, and accused him of using data of the Philadelphia Club's business in securing subscribers to the stock of the local Brotherhood club. It is said that Messrs. Harry M. Disston and John Forepaugh are also interested in the new club, but the former denies the report. The new club will probably play its games at Forepaugh's Park, Broad and Diamond streets, which ground may be leased for ten years at an annual rental of about $5000. The officers of the club will be:--President, Henry M. Love; secretary, James W. Allen, and treasurer and manager, Benjamin Hilt.

[reporting on the PL meeting 12/16-12/17/1889] [reporting on the rules committee] Rule 5. Amended to make the pitcher's box six feet long instead of five and a half, with its forward line distant fifty-one feet from the centre of the home base. This puts the pitcher back one foot and a half. The words “shall not raise either foot” are stricken out.

[reporting on the PL meeting 12/16-12/17/1889] During the meeting the first official bulletin of engagements was promulgated by John M. Ward. He reported 97 men signed, whose names are given in our “official list” in another column. Of these 6, Clements, Delehanty, Miller, Beckly, McKean, and Mulvey have also signed with the National League. This left 91 men as the total list. Four are minor league players, sixteen American Association men, and 71 were employed by the National League in 1889. since the list was issued Arthur Irwin, Con Daly, and M. Griffin have also signed with the new League. Those who signed a Brotherhood agreement alone and deserted, are Glasscock, Denny, Boyle, Clarkson, Smith, Rusie, Buckley, Schriver and Gleason.

Al Johnson says:--”At the meeting at Philadelphia Mr. Hill of the Philadelphia brotherhood club read a letter that he had received from Schriver, the Philadelphia catcher, who had deserted us, asking to be reinstated in the brotherhood. Though Schriver is a good ball player and a valuable man, we thought best to keep the fight clean, at least on our side, and have nothing to do with contract breakers. His request for reinstatement was of course refused. St.

Manager Sharzig [sic] says that he will not pair his batteries this season, but have his catchers play alternately with his pitchers. So much the better for Brooklyn. Brooklyn Eagle March 25, 1889

The Cincinnati management will pair the batteries as follows: Smith and Keenan, Duryea and Earle, Mullane and Baldwin, Viau and Earle. Brooklyn Eagle March 27, 1889

There is a big kick among the members of the Cincinnati team before Duryea and Keenan received all the “Brooklyn boodle” for winning the game on Tuesday from St. Louis. “Doc” Bushong arrived in the city on the same day that St. Louis reached here, and it was understood that he had offered certain Cincinnati players money, which was legitimate, in case they should win a game from the Browns. As soon as Manager Schmelz announced that Duryea and Keenan would be the battery against St. Louis in the first game on Tuesday, Bushong went to Duryea and Keenan and informed them that he was prepared to pay them $100 in case they won the game. Before Bushong left for Brooklyn he paid to Duryea and Keenan the money he had promised them for winning the game. It is true Duryea’s fine pitching largely contributed to Cincinnati’s victory, but the remainder of the team who figured in the game also aided materially by their good work in downing the Browns. The other members of the Club do not begrudge Duryea and Keenan the money they received, but do think that President Byrne ought to remember them.

[Toronto vs. Pittsburgh 4/18/1889] The decisions of Umpire Aborgast gave much offense to the visitors, so much so that they refused to contribute their share of his fee. Manager Phillips and Secretary Scandrett each tried to induce the manager of the Torontos to pay, but he claimed that he had not been consulted about his engagement and, therefore, didn't think he was compelled to pay. The debt, for such it is, remains unpaid and its existence is not creditable to the Canadians.

Pete Browning fell by the wayside in Kansas City this week and was left there by the club when it went to Cincinnati. When Francis Murphy was here [Louisville] last spring Pete signed the pledge. He has kept it very well all the season, but last Monday night, at Kansas City, he became very drunk. On Tuesday morning he drank even more, and was soon hopelessly full. It has rained that night and there were large puddles of water in the street. It afforded a golden opportunity for the gladiator to make a spectacle of himself. He went to a store near by and purchased two fishing poles and lines. Armed with these he planted himself in front of the hotel where the club was stopping and proceeded to fish in the water which flowed through the gutters. Tiring of this diversion he went into the hotel and soon had a crowd collected around him. He finally grew so boisterous that he had to be put out and narrowly escaped being arrested. When the club left for Cincinnati Tuesday night he refused to accompany the other players and was left in Kansas City, where he now is. Since then nothing has been heard of him. Cleveland Plain Dealer June 23, 1889

Peter Browning returned Friday night from Kansas City. He reported yesterday morning to President Davidson and was fined $100. Pete pleaded that it was his first backsliding this year, but Mr. Davidson says the fine will have to go. Cleveland Plain Dealer June 26, 1889

John F. Smith sued the Baltimore Base Ball Club for wages some time ago, and on Thursday Henry R. Vonderhorst, the president and owner of the club last year, filed his defence. Smith was suspended on the 12 th of last August until the 1 st of october, because “he couldn't play ball,” and it is for the salary for this time that he sued. The defence sets for th that Smith was engaged for the most important position on the base ball team, and that upon his skill and ability depends more than upon anything else the keeping down of the opponents' score, and the consequent opportunity for victory. Smith, from April 1 to August 12, 1888, failed to pitch skillfully, and was totally unfit to fill his position satisfactorily, and the defendant also claims that by virtue of his contract he had a right to suspend him.