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John L. Sullivan umpired a game at Iona Island last Thursday, between the Peekskills and the Tigers, of New York. He gave his decision on balls and strikes in loud and impressive tones, and when a man was thrown out at first John ordered him to the bench, not orally, but by a significant jerk of the thumb over the right shoulder. A large crowd cheered the champion for his great work.

[from an interview of umpire George Barnum] “Have you any system that you follow while umpiring that helps you?”

“Yes: I endeavor to ascertain the signs used by the batter. This is a big aid. I can then tell what kind of a ball to expect, and can locate myself so as to be in the best possible position to judge it.

[editorial matter] It is pleasing to observe that in all leagues, both big and little, the order has now gone forth that all umpires must be uniformed. In the past not enough attention was paid to this matter in minor leagues and many umpire looked like tramps so far as attire was concerned. A neat uniform adds distinction to the position and impresses the public favorably, and for this reason the umpires should be uniformed just as are the teams.

Umpire Gaffney does not like the new umpires' uniforms. He was in love with his beautiful wine-color suit, and, indeed,he had good reason to be. That was a thing of beauty and a joy forever, and, to tell the truth, “Gaff” does not umpire as well in his new suit. He ought to be accorded special permission to make a change.

J. C. Morse, of the Boston Herald, telegraphs as follows from Charlottesville, Va. “The University of Virginia has dared to show its contempt for the clubs under the protection of the National agreement by refusing to obey its mandate not to play Brotherhood clubs, and to-day it met the Boston ball club. One of the officers of the College Club said that he did not recognize any right except that of the faculty to dictate what clubs hsould be met on the diamond, and this opinion was shared by his college. Certain clubs had written to the University threatening to cancel dates if they played with the Brotherhood nine, and they laughed at such threats, informing the senders that they could do as they pleased about the matter.

It has developed that some of the players of the New York Players' league Club have not been paid since Sept. 1 and are vainly seeking a settlement with the club. Richardson, O'Rourke, Whitney, Keefe and Shannon are the ones yet unpaid. They have used every endeavor together their salaries since Sept. 1, but have failed. Buck Ewing did not receive his salary until last week. He also received Vaughn's at the same time. Gore, O'Day, Connor and Johnston were lucky. They got in out of the wet all right. The Sporting Life November 22, 1890

[Mark] Baldwin did not hesitate to say that the Chicago Club officials were indebted to the players for salaries to the extent of $7000 or $9000. None of the players, he continued, had any hopes of getting it, as under the contract they signed their wages were to come from the gate receipts. … Comiskey was the heaviest loser of the lot, the officials owing him $1900 at the close of the season, and which they told him they would never pay. The Sporting Life November 22, 1890

[from a letter by Mutrie] I am in constant receipt of letters from all over the country and from all sorts and condition of men, and women, too, for that matter, asking all kinds of questions concerning the game. Some of these are cranks, pure and simple; some are persons who seem to write just for the fun of the thing. On the other hand, many more are from men who are interested in base ball from love of the game—a game which I maintain is unequaled in its way.

H. L. Hach and A. H. Griffin on Saturday afternoon purchased a two-thirds interest in the Minneapolis Western Association team for $10,400. Mr. Hach already owned on-third of the stopck, so he and Griffin are sole owners of the team. Mr. Griffin was formerly chief clerk in the sporting goods house of S. G. Morton & Co., and, while new in the business, is an amateur athlete of prominence and a good business man. Sam. G. Morton and Fred Glade, the retiring stockholders, have secured an option on the St. Paul franchise from J. M. Pottgieser, its present owner. The price at which the team is held is $10,000. If the St. Paul Street Railway Company will put in quick electrical or cable service from St. Paul to the West Side Park the offer will probably be accepted and the St. Paul grounds enlarged or good grounds may be secured on the east side of the river.

[from Joe Pritchard's column][from an interview of Von der Ahe] “St. Louis did not apply for admission to the Brotherhood ranks,” said Mr. Von der Ahe. “I went to New York simply to see what the outlook was, and I am well satisfied with my trip. I learned a great deal about the Brotherhood while I was in Gotham. It looks to me as if there were too many bosses at times, while at other times there were no bosses at all, and then the players are easily frightened and they can stand but very few more desertions before there will be a general stampede. I looked the ground over carefully and for the life of me I don't see where the new organization is going to make any money.

[from an interview of Von der Ahe] Ball players are an ungrateful lot. Take this man Comiskey’s case, for instance. I payed him $5,000 a year for three years, and have made him presents besides. To be sure he is a good captain, but I made him what he is and gave him reputation and fortune. It is a fact that Comiskey never signed but one man for the St. Louis Club. He never knew what men were to be on the team until I signed them. Comiskey has been given too much credit. Now, see what he will do in Chicago and then watch St. Louis without him. As heretofore, I expect to have a winning club, one that will stand right up to the Association leaders.

[from an interview of PL Philadelphia Club President Wagner] It is an undeniable fact that only a month ago the Players' league was the most powerful base ball organization that has ever existed. When we captured the Cincinnati Club we arranged the best circuit that any association ever had, and, with the fifteen players we secured through this deal, we had the material on hand from which to organize the eight strongest and most evenly balanced teams that were ever entered into a race for a base ball championship. On the other hand, this deal left the League with only seven clubs, and three of these—Pittsburg, Cleveland and New York—were practically dead. Everything was progressing nicely until the treachery of the New York Club was discovered, and since then everything has been going wrong for us.

Through the efforts of Ewing the two New York clubs were brought together some time ago to talk compromise. Ewing's plea was that John B. Day was his friend, and he did not want to see the latter ruined financially. No sooner did Messrs. Talcott and Day meet before the question of compromise was brought up for discussion, and both agreed to use their influence to bring about a cessation of hostilities for the sake of the game. This was the start of the movement for a compromise, and, thinking the National League men were sincere, we had no objection in meeting them to adjust matters. A committee of our League met their committee to arrange a compromise, and you what has been accomplished in this direction.

Our mistake was in having any negotiations whatever with the National League people. We were sincere for a compromise which we believed would be arranged on this basis:--To enter into an agreement to respect each other's contracts, which would keep expenses down; avoid conflicting dates in the future, which would mean a large increase in receipts for both; exchange games with each other in the fall and spring, etc.

The National League never had any intention of compromising, as we have since discovered, but what they were after was to get us into a committee room, outgeneral us in trickery, or, as they call it, diplomacy, create strife and distrust in our own ranks, induce one or more of our clubs to consolidate with them on advantageous terms, and then disrupt our organization. In this they have succeeded pretty well, but the end has not yet been reached. Had we never recognized the enemy we would to-day be in a position to have a war-dance on the National League's corpse.

It is only human to err, and err we did in entertaining any proposition from the magnates to enter into a compromise with them. Still had our clubs all been faithful no harm could have come from our people meeting them in a conference to talk compromise. But the New York people, anxious to quit for social and personal reasons, rushed into a scheme to sell out to their rivals, and this brought about distrust in our own ranks, and is the trouble we are now contending with. Had our New York colleagues done the square thing by us they would have come to us, stated their case and given us a chance to buy them out. This we would have done, and all would be now well. But their action in going to the opposition, offering their interest in the New York Club for half which they will sell it to us for, created distrust in our ranks, disgusted a number o our financial men and actually drove the Pittsburg people into consolidating with the National League Club in that city. It was a case of 'throw down,' and the Pittsburg peole were simply scared into doing what they did in order to protect their invested capital.

However, as I said before, surface indications are ofttimes misleading. The Players' League is still intact and likely to remain so. Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Chicago and Cincinnati are solid as a rock and will stick to the Players' League. Wendell Goodwin has sold out his interest in the Brooklyn Club to John Wallace, a wealthy stock broker and real estate man, who is an enthusiastic Players' League man, and that club will never desert us now. The Chicago Club is all right, and Mr. Addison has not sold out to Mr. Spalding, as reported, nor will he do so. The Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland and Brooklyn clubs own a controlling interest in the Cincinnati Club and they will see to it that the club will remain in the Players' League. As to New York and Pittsburg, we can hold those clubs if we choose to do so. The agreement they signed for ten years is legal, and pronounced binding by leading lawyers to whom it was submitted for examination.

[reporting an informal meeting between Ward and Spalding 12/13] Spalding-- “Can you offer any suggestion as to the best way to clear up things?”

Ward-- “I should say that settling up the business end of the muddle would be the most important just now. And in doing that you must be very careful how you handle the public. While apparently it is disinterested you will find they are watching with a jealous eye to see that all the arrangements are fair and above board. The game of base ball would amount to very little when stripped of its sentimental features. As a commercial business the game would be a big failure. The patrons of the Players' League must be satisfied or you will have to depend on a new generation for the support of the game. You may replace myself or any of the players at short notice, but you can't replace the patrons of the game so quickly.”

Spalding-- “What do you mean by doing away with objectionable features?”

Ward-- “First of all, you must do away with the sales system or the traffic in players. The 'reserve' rule was a good thing in its original form, when it held a team intact and prevented the wealthy clubs from prowling around among the weaker ones, but when it was used for the purpose of selling players and forcing them around at command, then it became an abuse that was against the best interest of the game.”

Spalding-- “Well, the sale system has been the salvation of the minor leagues. I remember when Des Moines was about $14,000 in the hole a few years ago, and how they held on to their club, paying up salaries, and finally got out whole by7 selling the Chicago Club Hutchinson for $2500 and other clubs three or four players.”

Mr. Spalding then went into the sale of Kelly and Clarkson to the Boston Club. The former was anxious to leave Chicago, and Clarkson went as a result of a big increase in salary by the Boston Club.

Ward-- “While it may have helped the minor leagues to carry on base ball by paying more money for talent than they could afford, I think the money paid out by the major leagues indirectly came out of the players in the major leagues, as their salaries were regulated according to the business done.”

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After the meeting the mutual friend [who set it up] would not divulge the private talk between Messrs. Spalding and Ward, but it has been hinted that in case the American Association insists upon placing a club in Chicago Mr. Spalding would like to see Mr. Ward at its head, and there is a possibility that he may have asked Mr. Ward to interest himself in securing capital for the enterprise. It is certain, however, that no definite plans for the short stop's future in base ball were arranged at this meeting.

When he took charge of the club upon the death of his father the total debt was $43,458.84, including salaries due players under contract for September and October, 1888, $10,058,84, or a monthly expenditure of $5000 for salaries alone. At this time the assets were $1551.85 cash, and a deposit with the National League, as a guaranty fund, of $3000. When the club left the League he received for certain players $8200 instead of $14,000, as stated at the time; $12,000 for the option on the lease of the grounds at Capital Park and $7000 for the franchise, instead of $20,000 as alleged, and these sums have been utilized by him in maintaining the present Atlantic Association organization at the Capital.

Walter Hewitt has severed his connection with the Washington Club. Ted Sullivan, the manager, is now the chief owner. He says the team will play out the schedule. The Sporting Life August 2, 1890

“Magnate Sullivan,” as he must now be called, expects to gather around ample financial support to carry the team through the season, and he takes a very hopeful view of the situation. It is certain the attendance on the home ground has not been sufficient to pay expenses, and it is a problem to some of us how he is going to make both ends meet. The Sporting Life August 2, 1890

The disposition of the Washington club was of but little consequence to that of the Hoosiers. It was well understood that MR. Hewitt could place himself where he was liable to make a little money this season, and that he had already made an application for membership in the Athletic [sic: should be Atlantic] Association. The result was the franchise of the Washington Club was bought by the League, but the players were retained.

President Hewitt...advanced the idea that he is in the market if the League wants to purchase his franchise, and announced that he had not taken the necessary steps to complete his lease of the proposed new ball park in Washington. Considerable dissatisfaction exists in League circles over the attitude of President Hewitt on this question, and President Young said to-day that he was a loss to understand why he is acting and talking so.

The new Association secretary, Wheeler Wikoff, at present holds a good position in the post office department, being chief registry clerk of the office in Columbus, O., which pays him a nice salary, with a tenure of at least three years more. Jimmy Williams stood in greater need of the secretaryship than Wikoff, being a man of family. However, luck, like kissing, goes by favor apparently.

Deacon Jim White and his brother William H. White, the ex-pitcher, are now manufacturing brooms and brushes at 419-421 Auburn avenue, Buffalo.

[reporting the PL special meeting of 4/2/1890] [proceedings of the meeting with the PL umpires] The captains of the teams are to be the sole judges whether the game shall be started in case or rain or doubtful weather, but when once started the umpires, as at present have the right to call the game or not.

[quoting the Cleveland correspondent] Latham has been dissatisfied with the Chicago team for some weeks, claiming that he could not harmonize with the old Chicago players, who looked with disfavor upon his coaching, and let no opportunity pass to affront him on and off the field. There were some correspondence relative to his coming to Cleveland, although I understand that no definite terms had ever been agreed upon.

The downfall of the International, if it does disband, can be attributed to Detroit. Had that club acted in a fairer and more open manner it is probable that Rochester would have reamined in the League, and had it remained Toledo would have followed suit. The latter club only joined the American Association because Rochester intended to, and because it realized that without Rochester the International would lose caste.

But Rochester is practically gone. Toledo is in the same position, and Detroit by its double-dealing tactics is to blame. The Rochester representatives at the League meeting desired to make Secretary white president-secretary, but agreed to vote for Mr. Mills, of Detroit, for president on condition that Rochester be made a member of the schedule committee. This offer was accepted and rm. Mills was made president. When he came to appoint the committee, however, he gave Rochester the go-by. But this is not alol, by any means. Detroit has been acting in a half-hearted manner throughout, and has caused a general feeling that it would drop the International speedily were an opportunity offered to enter the National League or Brotherhood League. Doubtful of the stability of Detroit and certain of being “roasted” on the International schedule, General Brinker decided to forestall Detroit and applied for admittance to the Association. Toledo did the same without delay, and Detroit now finds that it has over-reached itself. The Sporting Life January 8, 1890 [N.B. Mills of Detroit denied everything.]

Why base ball grounds should be called parks, when the word park is suggestive of trees, hills and valleys, shade and such things as would make base ball impossible, is one of the mysteries of the game.

Second baseman Robinson bought some property o Bacon street, St. Louis, several years ago, and it has greatly enhanced in value. He has been offered a big increase over the original purchase, but has steadfastly refused to sell. Recently he has added to his real estate list a couple of houses. One of these he bought from Doc Bushong, of the Brooklyns.

It seems that the Cincinnati Club signed Latham with the connivance of Von der Ahe in defiance of the National Agreement waive rule, under which the American Association clubs would have had first chance to negotiate with Latham. Both the Athletic and Columbus clubs were willing and anxious to secure Latham, and neither had waived claim, nor, indeed, been asked to waive claim. Nevertheless, Cincinnati signed the man and is playing him in championship games.

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It appears that during the Association meeting last winter, when the Brotherhood was after Association players, waivers were given by the various clubs upon such players as had signed, or were suspected of having signed, Brotherhood contracts, in order to make more easy the work of getting them back or transferring them to such National Agreement clubs as might enable them to just their Brotherhood contracts...

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This is not the first time the American Association has suffered through an apparently legal perversion of the National Agreement, nor is it the first time its provisions have been openly violated. For instance, some of the League club are openly violating one of its most vital section by signing men to contracts for more than one year. It is sad, but true, that the much-vaunted National Agreement is not respected in the household of its friends and adherents and that its provisions are not lived up to even by those who have most to gain by its perpetuation—the club owners, for whose protection it was chiefly designed and steadily elaborated.