, 1879-01-05
BASEBALL,
TIE NORTHWESTERN LEAGUE.


Pursuant to call published in tbs TRIBUNE
some weeks ago, meeting Of representatives
from various ball clubs in the Northwest was
held at the Holland House, Rockford, last
Wednesday evening, for the purpose Of organ
izing Northwestern Ieague,-Mr. james F.
Mckee, OF the Rockford Club, in the chair.
After some discussion it was resolved
that a Northwestern League lie formed, consist
ing of the associations at Rockford, Dubuque,
and Peoria, and that Davenport, Milwaukee, &C.
dar Rapids, and Marshalltown be invited to join.
On motion OF Nlr. Sullivan, Manager Of the Du-
buque Club, the election OF officers was pro-
cccded with, resulting as follows: President,
James F. Mckee, Rockford; Vicc-President, W.
E. s. Bum, Peoria; Secretary and Treasurer, F.
P. Sullivan, Dubuque.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, of the Rockford,
the National League playlug-rulcs we're adopted:
aud it was also ordered that the Spalding ball
be used in all games played by the League.
Mcssrs. Sullivan, Bum, and Mckee were ap-
pointed committee to draft constitution aud
bylaws, aud arrange schedule Of games. The
meeting then adjourned until April |.
THE M1LwAuKEE5' DEATH-soSG.
The various phases of the trouble through
which the Milwaukee Club passed before being
kicked out Of the League have been fully set
forth in these columns from time to time. THE
TRIBUNE predicted the death OF the organization
as soon as the past season closed, aud, although
hooted at By papers in all parts Of the country,
its diagnosis of the case proved correct, and the
corpse was on hand at the time this paper pre-
dicted it would be-. The funeral was delayed
twenty days, but the interment has fually been
made by Secretary Young, who has forwarded
the following notice to members OF the League:
wAsn,ScroS. ,. e, Dec 3o.-W; 4; Hubert,
At lie annual meeting OF the Board Of Directors
OF the National League Of Professional baseball
Cluts, held in Cleveland, O.. on the sd INST, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
f Tea se Cao anyS S ea es
II ast n eams t aS1ss 7sa lSs shall
+ said sms are ne R5 s e. q saa
full then. and In that case sad oranization shall be
declared expelled under this resolution.
Having received no evidence Of the liquidation
O: the Indebtedness Of the Milwaukee Ciub, you
are hereby mortified that the said Cub stands ex-
PEELED from the League under the terms OF the
A''' '' i. E. Yousa, Secretary.
SQUARE BATS.
At the recent meeting Of the League there
was some talk Of amending the rule concerning
bats by striking out the word ''round." This
square or flat hat. The idea was originally put
forth in the Boston Herald, the baseball de-
partment Of which is understood to be =" in
spircd' BY. Harry Wright. In view Of this
interest as showing what harry's views on the
subject are, aud how he proposes to test their
value:
While this may not be the best plan that can be
leyised,in fuct it is not so claimed BY its adso-
catcs,-yct great deal can DO said in its favor
mint there would Oe more good batting lbuD under
the present rule every one must conccde who Las
studied the proposition. More surface would be
gained upon which the bail would hit fairly, and
With ereates certainty OF going forward. Under
the style OF bats now in use, in order to send the
hall to the ontfed the ball must strike the pat at
its very centre; otherwise ball striking the bat
OF, and foul is the result. On innumerable oc-
casions have fouls been caused in this manner,
sending the ball over the fence or back Of the
stand on any of our P r has
SPECTATORS. Ali this would be remedled BY the
SUBSTITUTION Of the fat bat, inasmuch as the ball.
il skins the s pat hogs On etsr s9 aaf.ce sdS OF
which would, in nine cases out Of ten, cause
or left, OF behind. In other words, less fouls
and more fair balls would be struck and thus the
preatest defect OF the game rcmcdicd. The pro-
noscd change would also inspire greater confidence
IN the batsmen, aud thus introduce more scientific
batting The batter. noticing On uncovered space
in The ield, would be enabled much more accurate
ly to SEND his ball TINT SPOT instead OF foul
ing out" in attempting to do go, as has been too
frequently the case IN me pas ~ M @ & Moue
suggested, without at least years notce N ad.
vance. in order that players might practice at
and ION ha subecs w II
discussion. Harry Wright proposes 70 oemo9stfate
The advantages OF disadvantages Of the aat bas ny
having the Bostons p6accTh h;s viii uo Of
he "a fried to such an extent to Interfere with