Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-31
BASE BALL IN 1850.
Washington to Have Team Of Which
She can Justly be Proud.

sAA~s>
She can Justly be Proud.
A TAX WIN PRESIDENT HxwErr-wARD NOT
SOLD TO prrrspuBo-cIARK, OF THE MAScHEs-
rms, TIE LATEST RECRUIT FOR THE STATES
m-c1.Assu1cAIIoN OF PLAYERS, ETC.
what are the prospects for drst-class ball
team next season." asked a STAR reporter OF
President Hewett a few days ago. "Wel, we
are not making any brags," he said, "but we
have q good place to start from and are headed
the right way, but bali team is like lottery
ticket; you think you have winner and ind
it's blank. With Johnny Ward at
the helm, have no doubt but that
Washington win have team Of which she
should be justly proud"
''Is there any doubt that Ward viii play with
Washington" asked the reporter.
~ don't think So" answered Mr.. Hewett.
'ward will either play here or in New York. v
WARD NOT FOR PrTTsBURG.
II see," said the reporter, ''that New York
York paper gives out the story that Ward is to
70 to Pittsburg. Is that so? Also, that some
doubt il expressed about the purchase money
being forthcoming. How about that?"
ssWhy can't these baseball cranks let the
Ward deal rest?' replied Mr.. Hewett. 1T
seems to me that it originates in the minds of
people connected with other clubs who are
sour because we have q claim upon his serv-
ices''
s'The money il all right" said Secretary
Burket, who was listener to the above con-
versation, ''and here il is, all ready" As he
said this he reached in the safe and took out a
cash box.
"That article is all bosh," continued Mr..
Hewett. 1--WE couldn't sell Ward, and il
we could We wouldn't. 1t would take an awful
sight Of money to make us part with him.
Then, again, don't think he would care to 60
would be very loath to depose Manager
Phillips"
PITCHER wIDNER.
SIS il true that Ted Sullivan is trying to sell
Pitcher widner to st. Louis?'' asked the re-
porter.
''You know as much about that as I do
answered Mr.. Hewett. 'sTed is in st. Louis, or
was when I last heard from him, visiting
Comisky, but if a chance offers whereby a deal
will take advantage of it, and sell any of the
Washingtons, for all of them are for sale, pro-
vided there is enough money in it."
slow about new players; have you signed
any new ones?"
''CLARK, OF TIE MANcHEsTERs,
was the last one who signed, replied Mr.. Hew-
EFT, ''and If accounts go for anything he is a
prize. Sullivan saw him catch in a game
against Troy last season, and was 80 pleased
with his work that he signed him."
''Have you been trying to obtain the release
Of any big players?' asked the reporter.
Eyes, we are now figuring on several star
players-men of great reputation-and hope to
get them before the season opens"
"Will you take the club on a southern trip
this spring." asked The STAR man.
sNo, SIR" answered Mr.. Hewett emphatically.
hay had anOnoh 0f hat m
pay, and does little good"
That reminds me-" continued Mr. Hewett.
Il have just received a telegram from Sullivan
telling me that his brother was lying at the
point of death, and that his father was dead.
He started for Milwaukee yesterday"
A DENIAL.
SIS there any truth in the statement that
there is q prominent retired,merchant after the
club?"
''Not q word of truth in it," answered Mr..
Hewett. "Some time ago,I think it was in No
vember, there was prominent business man
who made us an offer to buy the club, but the
stockholders couldn't agree, and the matter
fell through"
what do You think of the classification sys-
temp" ventured the scribe.
'.Its the salvation of base ball." answered
Mr.. Hewett and Secretary Burket in chorus.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE WASHINGTON PLAYERS.
"How are the Washington players CLASH.
fied?"
'That's q secret" replied Mr.. Hewett, land
will always remain one unless the play ers
themselves give it away"
''Are any Of the Washington team in the
first CLASP asked the reporter. From the
work Of Mack and Hoy last season 1 should
think they would be in that class"
THAT can't answer, but will say that
think placing a man in the first class on his en-
trance to the league does him no good; he has
nothing to work for, nothing to look forward
to-
.'what effect will it have upon ball players?'
asked the reporter.
1T will make those in the first class work to
keep there, and tend to increase the work o.
others to get in a higher class"
''will anybody suffer by this ruler" inquired
the reporter.
Nobody will suffer unless they bring i
upon themselves by poor ball-playing, although
think there will be many vacancies in tn,
veteran column before this time next year.
THE PRICE OF TICKETS.
'About tickets, will you make an effort tt
secure lower prices?" asked the reporter
THAT don't know" replied Mr.. Hewett.
''The matter will be talked over among tn,
stockholders before the spring meeting, and, i
found desirable, a big kick will be made Il
make the price Of tickets lower"
CLASSIFYING THE LEAGUE PLAYERS.
President Young concluded his work o
classifying the league players about a weel
ago, and has since been endeavoring to recu
perate from the great mental, and physica
strain that this duty entailed. 1t would hav,
been easy to have constructed that list latter
fashion" but to a conscientious man like tn,
president of the league the duty was a sever,
one. Since the work was finally completed Mr.
Young has been in rather poor health.
He has selected the fourth umpire for his 81
stan, W: G. Fessenden, of Danvers, Mass, whit
umpired in the northwestern league last year
and comes into the national league with higl
recommendations. Mr.. Young is greatl-
pleased with his new staff, which he regards a
Of the best order. The four men selected ar
Geo. w. Barnnm, of the Tri-State league; Thos
j. Lynch, of last years National league staff
Jno. McQuaid, of the American association
and Fessenden. He expects that at the sprin,
meeting the league directors will authorize
him to appoint a substitute umpire. Last yea
this plan, which was tried about half the sea
son, worked to perfection and resulted in tn
avoidance OF great many annoyances. and Mr.
Young hopes that this success will lead the di
rectors to make the substitute q permanen
institution.
THE FOLLOWING CONTRACTS
have been promulgated: W. NJ Nash and Chas
Radbourn, with Boston; s. L. Thompson, witt
Philadelphia; L. N. Schoeneck. with Indianap
oils; John j. Fields, with Pittsburg; Paul Rad
ford, E. Bakley, John Stricken, E. ]. McKer
and G. l. thinner, with Cleveland; A. j. Paine
with Athletics; Edward Tate, F. ]. Foreman
=. Quinn and VIM. Shindle, with Baltimore
w. H. Terry, with Brooklyn; James "
keenan,, with Cincinnati; ]. b. Free
man, with St Louis; p. B. Swartze
n