New-York tribune., 1884-03-24
THE EVE OF THE BASEBALL SEASON.
GAMES TO BE PLAYED IN APRIL BY THE LoCA
CLUBs-sUCCEss ANTICIPATED.

GAMES TO BE PLAYED IN APRIL BY THE LOCAL
CLUBs-sUCCEsS ANTICIPATED.
The opening of the baseball season is looked forward
TO with much interest by players, managers and lovers
of the National game. The associations each num-
bering eight or more clubs, have many hundred men
engaged at salaries Of from $500 to $4,000. Many
of tbe clubs have as many as twenty-five under
contract and with the heavy salaries paid to players
and the travelling expenses the managers will have 10
rlov 70 large crowds to save themselves from loss
The end of the season Baseball at present regarded
with more public favor and confidence than it has been
for many wears. TTickcry and fraud brought the
game INTO such disfavor In 1876 that respectable
people would not visit the grounds OF many clubs
firm stand was taken by few energetic managers,
however the League, American ana Other associations
were orqanzed honesty and integrity were looked for
among the pavers and the game has grown steadily In
favor The players now paid good salaries and the
old evil of public betting on the grounds mas Deeh dohe
In this city and Brooklyn baseball has many sup
porters and the old rivalry between New-lork and
BROOKLYN threatens 70 break out aresh this year since
BROOKLYN Is to have nine in the association as
the Metropolitans Of this city. Both mines are fully
made up and will be seen in the field In few days
Work on the new grounds Of the Metropolitan Club at
Onehupdred 81. and Firstave has been re-
tarded by the weather but the managers are confident
of having them ready early next month. II the new
grounds not ready soon 0s expected some OF te
exhibition games during April will be played AT the
Polo Grounds Several improvements are also to be
made at the Polo Grounds. The catcher's back stop
will be set back several feet while another entrance 10
the grand stand facing Sixth-aye will be built. Games
have already been arranged for almost every day In
April in which either the New-YOrk or Metropolitan
mines will contest The opening game will be played at
the Polo Grounds next Saturday between mines
There will be several changes in the NcwYOIk League
nine this year. The regular nine will be Ward and
Welch, pitchers; Ewing and DOrgan catchers
McKinnOn first base Troy, Richardson or one Of the
new men, second base Caskns short-stOp COnnOr,
third base Gillespie left field the other two fielding
postions to be filled by the reserve pitchers and
catohers All the players are in good condition and
few days outdoor practice will put the nine in fine trim
The change 10 the ball rule will not materially in
terfere with the pitching Of Ward and Welch, both
beinq accurate thr0wers This rule will be severe on
such pitchers rs ONcil who played with the MetTOpOl
itans last year letter from DOrgan received last
week SAWS that he Is in fine trim has signed the pledge
and will play better game this year than ne did
before Clapp, has also improved, particularly IN his
throWyings McKinnon the new man at fret base is a
heavy batter and an excellent baseman. Hankinson
has not vet signed. He wants 70 play up 10 October
while the managers insist upon his playing the season
ont The preliminary games will determine who will
plav nt second base there being several applicants.
Ward signed with the New-Y YOrks yesterday, as did
Lynch with the MetrOpoltans oil the rnors about
these men PLAYING in other cities are SGT at rest.
The games already arranged are as follows APH -,
4 Metropolitan Vs. Boston at Boston D, New-i oik Vs.
METROPOLITAN at Polo Grounds z, B. %. MetropoItaP
vs. Cleveland at Polo Grounds IL, Rewfo VS..
Metropolitan at Metropolitan Park lSi Boston vs.
Metropolitan at Metropolitan Park 10, New York vs.
Metropolitan at Metropolitan Park 2l ~, Boston Va
Metropolitan at Metropolitan Park 23 "a 20 fr0yi-
dence VS. Metropolitan at Metrop9litan PARK; 20
New-York VS.. Metropolitan at Polo Grounds
The New-YOrk Club has arranged the following non
conflicting games April ], New-York vs. Manhattan