The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-23
THE PROSPECTS GLOOMY
NEITHER PATRONS NOR STOCK,
HOLDERS IN A FRENZY OF JOY.
The Four Club League Worry Frail
Structure-Thre Cities on Decline
Dan Brouthers Gives His Snap Alvey
The Two Umpire System.

The prospects for baseball in the south
during the present year were fully dis
cussed by citizens who cherish fondness
for such sport yesterday. There is little to
encourage the masses ina four-club league,
and even less to enthuse the stockholders
in the organizations. The long jumps
necessary render II almost impossible to
expect any dividends on the investment,
and make ii altogether likely that actual
Losses viii follow. II the hackers are will
ing to chance it. however, the public has
little right to complain, because it is well
known that every possible effort has been
made to organize the league to the best
advantage. The action Of Atlanta and
Chattanooga has been roundly criticised,
and in n manner by no means hattering to
those cities.
There is no denying the fact that all this
is a fair and legitimate test OF the vitality
and energy Of the southern cities men
toned in connection with the Southern
League. Nashville sank into profound
sleep before the close of last season, and
heroic treatment TO arouse her for the APP
preaching one failed TO elicit more than a
moan and scarcely audible entreaty.
''go'long, leave me alone" The hopeless
task was abandoned Electric batteries
were applied TO Atlanta and Chattanooga,
and until recently they capered around,
briskly MS an old maid at apicnic in baimy
June. In an unguarded moment the at
PENDANTS relaxed their efforts and atten-
tons, and the old malady. dry rot, re-
turned to its prey. II has been suggested,
and perhaps wisely, that the two cities
chose the relapse, fearing TO encounter the
doctors bills. They were willing to
undergo resuscitating treatment provided
their metropolitan and progressive sisters,
Memphis and New Orleans would pony up
goodly portion Of the expense. Assist
ance from Charleston and birmingham
would also be acceptable. Wouldn't it be
opportune for receiver TO be appointed
for these slumbering municipalities? Their
condition is pitiable, and the end IL evi.
IDENTITY not far distant. The coroner has a
job before him.
VINO WOULDN'T own BAByp
The members Of the Detroit team have a
standing joke on big Dan Brouthers, he
who guards the first bag. Dan has pretty
wife and bouncing boy at his home in
Wappinger Falls, n. Y, and doesn't like
10 leave home for the allurcments OF New
York city, only sixty miles away. The
boys like Brouthers, and when any oil
them are in Now York they always tele.
graph 10 him 10 meet them there. lie
does not like 10 tell them that he stays al
home Just for the fun Of the thing, and the
number OF different diseases that baby has
e. have TO furnish excuses for him is posi-
lively alarming. The nice little scheme
worked all right until some OF the boys
began TO suspect the truthiulness o
Brouthers' excuses and laid plan TO catch
him.
Three ball players, all friends Of Dan,
were in New York and wanted 10 see him
One OF the conspirators telegraphed TO hin
% meet the sender in New York
Promptly came back the answer "Can
not do II. Baby has the measle4" Tha
Was all right, and the plotters waited unit
afternoon when another dispatch was SEN
by another Of the party asking Brouthen
10 como az the writer wanted 10 see hin
''oIi important business" Brouthers haC
either forgotten all about the first dispatch
or did not dream Of any plot, for he an
swcrcd rs before, that he could not como
llis time saying his baby WIS very sicl
with scarlet fever. The conspirators tool
pains 10 find out that the baby was nj
right on the day that the dispatches wen
sent, and then they had the great biz
=, laugh on him. This did not make AM
4 difference, and Brouthes still works oil
tho old baby racket whenever he doesn'
want 10 do something the other player
nsk him TO do. The first thing they ash
Him when they see him In the spring IA
"Dan, how's the baby?" And II any o
tl,om send him letter they never forget u
ask him about the offspring. Tho story o
how they caught on the baby fairy tall
only came out few days ago.
' THE TWO UMPIRE SYSTEM.
'rTho league managers are making
mistake In letting tho two umpire matte
die out," said Capt. Hanlon, Of the Dctroi
team, recently. at was the best rule tha
ever was made, and would not only hav
added TO tho interests Of the game for out
Hiders, but also have given the players
fairer show. Not half OF the men who ar
called out nj second base are really out
tue players all know II, and II has a ten
dency 70 make them afraid 10 run 10 sec
ond at close point in the game. Why
VIC should never have got through tn
worlds championship series without con
slant wrangllng " Il hadn't been for III
two umpircs. The crowd recognized tn
fact that kelly-who gave nearly all IN
field decisions In a much better posi-
ton 10 Judge Of the play than they wer,
and they did not frumblo at his decisions
la the first two or three games Of III
series, Dunlap made the regulation bluff
forgetting that Kelly was right benin
him. An umpire behind the bat In "a