The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27
THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE.
A SIX WEEKS CAREER AND WHAT
1T CoNCLusIvELY SHOWS.
The Four Teams Well Bunched and
with No Financial Losses to Mourn
over - Driftwood From the Dia-
mopd.

Baseball in the Southern league, with
only four clubs, has now been tried for
about six weeks. 1t may be said to have
thoroughly disappointed the "ancients"
who croaked Of "decadence" and an early
out and out death. II is true there were
many points in the diminutive organiza-
ton TO discourage its hackers. There were
long jumps to eat up profits, and waning
interest to revive and build up; there was
strong feeling Of rivalry among the four
associations, which necessitated strong and
high-salaried teams for each; Sunday games,
which were hoped for TO swell the receipts,
were unrealized at every point except New
Orleans.
Despite these unpropitious outlooks at
the start, the Southern League is positive
organization, that has come TO fight II out
on this line II II takes all summer. None
Of the local organizations are sailing down
barrels Of lucre; neither are they consum-
ing their previously accumulated bank &C.
counts. The large and expensive teams
with which they began the season have
been trimmed and rounded up for the pro-
tracted summer trouble, leaving each one
strong, but with no surplus timber. Mem
phis has hewn from sixteen 10 thirteen
members, but will add players from time
10 time, M the necessity arises and fine OPP
portunitiy offers. Every weak point will
DO corrected. SO IL is and will be with the
remaining members Of the league.
One pleasing fact has been clearly de-
monstratcd, viz The championship race
Is not going 10 be walk-over for any
team. Birmingham was the first 10 take
the lead after the season was well under
way. and still holds IL by very narrow
MAJ Gin. Memphis and the Alabamians
see-sawed for several days over possession
Of the honor, leaving New Orleans aud
Charleston 10 fight each other. The series
ran Charleston up from tail-enders, and in
the shift the Pclicans came up 90 the
scratch like little men, placing the teams
again close together. The chances are In
favor of a repetition OF these little incl
dents throughout the season, at the close
OF which the first and second honors win
nors will not have enough advantage 10
crow ov,r more than month. Memphis
confidently expects 10 be on top, yet 80
does the other progressive cities repre-
sentcd, and the only way out of the friendly
dispute In 10 wait and see"
Tho return OF professional ball has slim
ulatcd the irrcprcssible small boy to action
In the same line, and many are the kids
who "hookey" TO take part in game
against hated rival mines. They seek ap-
propriate vacant lots, where the neighbors
deal not In bull dogs and the shril whistle
OF despisablc blue coats is never heard.
There they assemble daily and make the
ovcrhanging atmosphere redolent with
angry squabbles, the noise Of many youth
ful voices protesting In vociferous unison
against the unfortunate umpire's rashly
courageous decisions II active hostilties
arr avoided, the parents ARE relieved and
oyorjoycd. Timid females who cannot Us
cape the sights. heayc great signs OF relief
when the contest il terminated without
bloodshcd. and the crowd scampers oil,
yelling ON one side, "Oh, We beat youl'
and ON the other, That's all right. You
can't do II without the unpirel" Forth
with delegation from the victorious niue
fdsrccS y LA o.s's.rST tells Of the
scores aud features aud then returns homo
pulling cigarettes. Next time conditions
may be reversed. but IL all goes Just the
same. Young America Is n great institu-
ton, and baseball serves 10 keep IL alive
and healthy.