Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-03-01
THE NATIONAL GAME.
The Detroit Club Worried Because It's
Players Are Not Signing
Contracts.
Bobby Oaruthers May Captain the Brook
lyn Team During the Coming
Season.
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE /

The first showers of the spring of 1888
reached Chicago during the past week, and
the icy fetters Of winter were fairly broken
by the warm rains, followed by the still
warmer sunshine that descended upon our
ice gorged streets. The big toboggan slide
which towers above the ball park of the
Chicago club still stands, however, for we
shall undoubtedly have more coasting be-
fore tho iOe und suOw take their nnaI ue-
parture; but the faintest indications of
spring are sufficient with the average base
ball crank to set him talking, and while
there is as yet comparatively little actual
work being done by the players. there is an
endless amount Of gossip being INDUCED
in, as is always the case at this season Of
the year.
The indecision of the Detroit PLAYERS in
the matter of signing contracts for the
season OF 1888 is worrying the manage
ment OF that famous club not little. It
is getting we'll along toward the time when
the players are supposed to start for the
Sunny South, and yet the backbone of the
team has not yet signed. Bennett, Bald
win, White. Brouthers, Richardson, Rowe
and Hanlon have not yet put their names
to Detroit contracts, and there is naturally
slight feeling of uneasiness in conse-
quence. So far as Bennett is concerned,
he is In the Western wilds, can't be found
and hasn't been heard from, and it is not
known what attitude he will take. In the
case of Baldwin, he says he doesn't care
to sign early. Brouthers, Richardson,
Rowe, and Hanlon all say that the salaries
offered snit thenas chat they fully ezPeet 40
play in Detroit. but they must insist on
having the full amount of salary written in
the contract Jim White does not hold off
on this account, but is believed to hang
back on account of his disinclination 10
sign with Watkins. President Smith ia
under the impression that the men will
hold off until the meeting Of March 5, in
hopes that the salary limit will be abol-
ished, and then sign in a body.
AS is generally known, Chicago is the
home OF the famous young pitcher-Caru-
theirs. DE Is at present engaged in busi-
ness here with his brother, but will leave
for the headquarters of his club about
March Is to report for duty during the
coming season. Bob was seen by your
correspondent day or two ago in Spalding
d Bros store. He is looking remarkably
well and mt to pitch ball for his life if
necessary.
How many games do you expect to pitch
for the Brooklyn Club this summerY" he
was asked.
Il don't know yet," he replied. "for
have no idea what they will want to do with
mo ThAy nAAy trust mo TO captain the
team"
"How would you work it-you could not
pitch every gamer"
"No, but l would have 10 play every
game just the same. I would probably
nv rIfrhf al - - -
"Have you been asked to take the cap
taincy?"
mot formally; no. Mr.. Byrne and my
self talked it over informally when last
saw him, but told him would prefer not
to fill the position, as did not want to take
the chance Of creating any ill-feeling in
the club. Besides, do not think it does
a pitcher any good to play q championship
game every day."
What do you think Of the outlook for q
good race in the Association this year?"
First class, SO far as Brooklyn and Gin
clnnal are concerned. l think the cham
pionship will lie between these two clubs.
Baltimore may worry us both little, but 1 |
do not apprehend much trouble from any |
Of the rest of them. Cleveland, suppose,
will loaf along at the tail end of the string, |
with Kansas City for company"
"How about st. Louis this year?"
why, the old town will not be in the |
race. Mark what tell you. Comiskey is |
D good man to handle q team, of course. |
but he has got to have the team to handle |
-see?"
President Spalding, of the Chicago club,
s in New Orleans at this writing, but sails
n day or two for Cuba, where he will at
tend game or two and see how the Cubans
play ball. In letter from the Crescent
" met frna h. L
New Orleans is all we could hope for. 1
vent out on the diamond the day we got
lere and ran around the bases for half an
lour. We stopped at the Mammoth Cave
IN our way here and / lamed myself tramp
ng, but the exercise on the new grounds
ook the stiffness out of me. The chances
II our going to Cuba are about evon. A
ruit dealer here, named Charles Fish, wants
o take US over in great shape, but my good
wife is undecided"
Van Haltren writes the Chicago manage
nent as follows: Il am practicing daily
With Denny, Cahill, Hardie and Lang.
lang plays third base superbly. Tell Sam
Norton that in my judgment Lang stops
rounders fully as well as Tebeau. I
Weigh l67 pounds, three pounds less than
Vhen was in Chicago, 80 you can see
whether am in condition. Hope you will
lot regard 1t as boasting If assure you l
ave better command of the ball than I
lad last year and tho revised rules suit me.
Selieve that 1 shall be able to pitch
Rainst Detroit and Philadelphia this year"
Ed Williamson writes that he will leave
'an Francisco this week for Chicago, and
dds: Il am glad we are going to Hot
springs. 1t will surely benefit the boys.
have gained only six pounds since COM
ng out here. Last year at this time had
. pounds TO work off in order TO get my
elf down to l9O. This spring shall only
e Obliged to work off IA pounds to strike
ly regulation weight. But for the miser-
BILE weather here we should have made
lenty of money, Van Haltren may 90
.ast with me, He will be q great man
or vs. this season. He has easily been the
ilt-edged card of the Coast since he came
ere."
PIoKUPs.
Will John Clarkson sign a Chicago con-
ract after all?
Calvin will receive $4,000 for the pres
ut season.
Umpire Herman Doescher is keeping a
otol at Troy, N. Y,
Briody would like 10 sign q Kansas City
ontract for 1888,
The New York clubs salary list will be
bout $50, 900 for 1888.
George Van Haltren, the Chicago pitch
:, Is plasterer by trade.
boston's new grand stand is nearing
ompletion. II will be very handsome. I
San Francisco admires the ChicaQos and
rowns, but dislikes the New Works,
Mike Kelly is booked Ia do considerable
ltching the comipQ season for the Bostons. {
Tate has siansd with The Boston club for ,
z,VVu an advance Of $3.50 over last sea-
L