The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
PREPARING FOR THE SEASON
The Indianapolis Baseball Club Affairs
in an Excellent Condition.
It Will Go Through the Season with Three
Batteries, Which Are About Secured-The
Season Will Probably open Early.

The Indianapolis Baseball Club, at the begin
ming OF last season, was embarrassed oy the
misrepresentation that mad been made relative
to its financial condition The fact is, that after
meeting the liability incurred for the franchise,
ard making improvements in the park. the club
was 81 500 in debt It began the season without
D dollar. but the liberal patronage and local en-
shusiasm in the game provided the ready
money, and while the directors did not have all
they could use to advantage, the
middle of the season found them In
safe quarters with means enough to justify OK
periments. Had it not been for these" said
one of the old board yesterday, "and other ex-
penses which can be more judiclously arranged
hereafter the club would have clos ed the season
with $4,000 ahead. AS 1t is there 10 GOOD
bank account from the past years playing. The
club 10 better of financially Dy q large
per cent than it was In April last.
IL cannot deal IN extravaganza like pay
ing So 600 or $4,000 for q single player. but
IL can bid higher than last year. The exp eri-
ments in players and managers the past season
cost the club Sc oOo and Of this sum little less
of Kirby for 81, 900, of Quinn for 81 ,30O and or
AXE for $500. At the beginning Of last season,
and for some time thereafter It was expected we
would lose money. and this year, with affairs in
excellent shape, the outcome cannot be anything
else than profitable"
AS to the playing strength of the local team
tors will rest on Healey, Shreve and Boyle for
pitchers. 1t is said that the three-strikes rule
will be of great benefit to the Indianapolis
players as 1t will enable Shreve and Healy to do
more effective work Boyle was the only
pitcher last year who could meet the require
ments The old rule, it is urged, made it
necessary TO have lot OK pitchers to stand the
strain, but the change will enable any club
to get along with three batteries.
The new catcher. Buckley, is said to be fine in
that position, besides being good general
player. The weak place in batting, it is thought,
rhe club Sc, 900. Laet year several games were
lost through the need Of one good batter. Buck
8y, Shrevs, Hines and Boyle alone have signed
been heard from directly except Healy,
who willing TO make contract
IL he plays ball at ell. Giasseock
the purpose of making Indianapolis his home.
1t Is thought there Will be no trouble with any
or the players unless they hold off as long as
possible for an advance on last years salaries.
AS TO increasing salaries, the directors are not
inclined to 60 very far. It's probable that moth
ing will be done in this direction.
There has been some talk concerning a So
iourn of the club at Hot Springs two or three
weeks before the season opens. 1t has not been
definitely settled, another idea finds favor.
The Hot Springs trip will incur neavy expense,
without an adequate financial return. LIZ an
other team will unite with the Indianapolis niue
on such an enterprise. it may be carried ont,
and still that would not bring sufficient financial
results, as ball.playing is not SO popular at
the springs that money be made
out of it. Again, the grounds
there are inferior. Everything indicates
that the nine will not 60 South, for that region
is to be overrun with professional clubs from
the North, with no chance for any OF them to
come out even, unless il IL the Detroits- The
Indianapolis team may come together for prac-
tice the latter part of March if the season is ia
vorable. In that event series OF exhibition
games will begin the 1st of April In this way
il is thought, all the advantages OF practice in
the South can be obtained at less expense.
Working plans for the new grand stand have
been secured from Chicago and Pittsburg. Out
of the two it is proposed TO draft one suitable
for Athletic Park It is to be placed in the
southwest corner, which will protect the specta-
tors from westerly winds and give them all the
had