The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-05-19

Il Twelve or fourteen years ago i
was predicted that base ball would
ere now be enc of the things of th'
past. In those days clubs were or
ganized on the narrowest monetary
margins, mostly by speculative anC
irresponsible men, who, in many
, cases, when it came to paying thei
debts failed to do so, and at once de
clared that there was nothing il
baseball, and that it would soon di'
out. But instead it has struggled
along, year after year, until it is nov
the leading American sport, and il
backed by some of the wealthies
men in the country. To-day ther'
are thoroughly organized and fully
equipped eight associations as fol
lows: The National League, eighf
clubs the American Association
with eight clubs; the Southern
League, with eight clubs; the New
England League, with six clubs; the
Inter State League, with sight clubs
the Northwestern League. with siz
clubs. and the Gulf League with siz
clubs. These eight organizations
employ over 800 men, whose salaries
will aggregate 100000 or more
The salary list alone of any first
class club, foots from s25, 600 to $40.
600 a year, and individual salaries
in some instances, haye nearly
reached 5000 a season, and in
many cases they have ranged from
$500 to SO, 800 for the season. But
there is no class of public smuse-
ment or sport which, when properly
conducted, gives better returns than
baseball.
The travelling expenses of a club
form quite an item in the expendi-
lures, and generally foot up to sl0,-
600 or more during the year. This
includes all railroad fares and ac-
commodations at first-class hotels.
Each club has about 1900 miles to
cover during its regular champion
ship season, not to mention how
many more while playing exhibition
games. Then there is the additional
cost OF keeping the grounds in prop
er playing condition, besides paying
gatemen, t:cke;-takers and special
men employed about the grounds.
All thee things are well understood
! by those who have studied the sub
jsct, and they know full we'll that q
large capital is required to properly
conduct the business The day has
gone by when half dozen men can
organic club, unless they can
show that they are financially able
to carry out their engagements dur
ing the season A year or two ago
fancy salaries were paid in great
many instances, and players who
happened TO receive a little notice
demanded such exorbitant prices
that it came near running some Of
the clubs. To avoid any unreasona.
bic prices by plaJ Jers, the leading or
ganizations have passed rule linn
iting a players salary to $1,000 and
doing away with the advance money
system except just enough to defray
travelling expenses at the beginning
of the season. The paying out of
large sum of advance money during
the early part of the season proved a
great burden to most of the clubs.
and the abolishing of that system
has met with general favor through
out the country. A year or two ago
q good first or third baseman could
not be engaged for less than 81 200,
and from that up to $1,000. A fret
class second baseman could obtain
from $1,000 to $4,000. A short stop
with any reputation wanted from
81, 500 to $500 a year. Out6elders
command from 81 800 to $500 for
the season. The pitcher, whe is a
very important man in the nine, es-
pecially if he has any known abili-
ties as a twirler. would make mod
est demand of from 1000 to $500
for his season's work. and then he
would want man to alternate with
him. There are some men who are
really worth more than the $1,000
limit, and they should be paid in
accordance with their merits but
there must be line drawn some
where, and the men who make un-
reasonable demands, simply because
they happen to do well during a sea-
son. should be kept down to the
limit. For $1,000 for one hours
work, six days in the week, for sew
en- months in the year, is good CON-
pensation.-Ner York Mail and Er-
press.