The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-18

THE developments of the past few days are
such as to provoke the question, What is base
ball7 Is it a science an art, or profession,
or all combined9 Those who practice it, or
perform it, or whatever the act of producing
| the game may be termed, are certainly well
remunerated. Take, for example, the salary
of Lawrence McKeon, Familiarity known as
Larry" by those fortunate enough to enjoy
his intimate acquaintance. Mr.. McKeon, or
Professor McKeon, as the case may be, is
9signed" for two years at s., 600 year, and is
to finish this season at the reasonable salary Of
5000 month. A great many Of Mr.. McKeon's
old fellow-laborers go to and from their place
of business in their own special hand-car, and
enjoy other privileges, but not one Of them,
we apprehend, receives 5000 month, and not
few Of them will take this for mistake and
imagine that 'Larry' is getting but 5000 a
year, like he used to on the road.
Professor McKeon is "twirler," we
believe, and as such appears in public
q
exactly what the duties of ''twirler" are, but
those who do say that McKeon is good one.
We may be prejudiced, but we firmly believe
he should be good one, and not only good
one, but very good one. The average length
of game of base ball is about two hours.
Two games a week mean four hours hard
work for the twirler, and 5000 a
month means $3.50 a week, and $3.50
a week means $50 game, and $75
a game means $3.50 an hour. That
is as much as Larrys former comrades received
for thirty-fve days hard work, or for $50
hours. In other words Larry receives So, 900
per cent. more as 'twirler" than as section
hand, time for time, hour for hour.
There is enough in this to set laboring men
thinking No wonder there are strikes, and
no wonder there is discomfort. There is
enough in this startling contrast to suggest
that ''twirling" schools be established. Why
that we know of can command such salary.
Young men expecting to become doctors or
lawyers may well hesitate while this Turing
outlook tempts them to turn aside. Even a
divinity student, with all the dazzling
prospect of independence in the years to
come might be excused if he hesitated for
moment to think about it, Suppose Law
renee McKeon, instead of "twirling'
became professor of 'twirling' what
is to prevent the education of any
number of young men to that degree
of efficiency that they too could command
| 5000 month"; If such aconsummation could
be guaranteed, it is quite certain that the
classics would suffer in the contest. This is
an age of wonderful possibilities to youth.
The games he once ran away from school to
enjoy he is now paid for to play. Queer
world this. The man who works longest and
hardest gets least, and the best player gets
there is something wrong in this; but it
is hard to say just where the wrong is No
fault can be found with the Hon. Lawrence
McKeon. He must be worth his pay or he
would not receive it, and criticism is dis
armed by the fact that the encouragement
given to those who pay him $4,000 year,
comes mainly from men who earn less than
| So day. So it is the world over: the fat
| things Of life are fed to the few by the self
sacrificing and willing many.