Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-27
TORECEIVETHE BOYS
Efforts to Have a Quiet and
Harmless Reception
FOR SPALDING'S TEAMS.
President Nimick Expresses His
Opinion on the Matter.
LANNON AND ASHTON MATCHED.
The Australian Teams Will Wind Up on
April 20.
LANNON AND ASHTON MATCHED.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

As the American ball players get nearer
home the talk of giving them 'send-of'
at each city they visit In this country be-
comes more general. A few weeks ago
Pittsburg papers made public the idea of
giving the boys hearty reception when
they return. After the scheme had been
suggested New York and Philadelphia have
practically indorsed it. The players are
really to have warm welcomes at the two places
named 1t had also been intended to arrange a
'tgreat welcome back" in this city, but a few
DAYS ago Mr.. J. W. SpaldIng wrote Mr. A q.
Pratt Of this city, to the effect that President
Al Spalding did not desire public demonstra-
tions in honor of the teams at the various Amer
ican cities to be visited. This request seemed
to infer that by the time the teams reach New
York the time for gayety will have ceased
There is considerable force in this, no doubt,
and Mr.. Pratt is quite aware Of it. During
yesterday and Monday, however, he has been
urged to try and promote
SOME KIND OF A WELCOME
that will at once be quiet and indicative of the
good and earnest wishes of Pittsburg patrons
of the national game regarding the players
who have represented America so well among
foreigners. President Nimick was spoken to
the conversation he said:
81 believe with Manager Phillips, that when
the players again get foot on American soil
they will need much rest to get them into good
condition. Personally, 1 think the American
trip should be abandoned, not only in the in
terests of the players, but also of the patrons
of the League. Holding this opinion cannot,
therefore, be expected to favor the idea of
banquets and demonstrative receptions"
will the Pittsburg club assist in promoting
any reception that may be agreed upon?" was
asked.
well, now am not in position to say what
we'll do. All that say is that we believe re-
ceptions viii do the players no good"
Mr.. Pratt and his friends are not by any
means disposed to act contrary to the wishes of
President Nimick and the local club but it is
likely that a reception of modest kind will be
arranged. A gentleman interested in the mat
gramme, which will probably be accepted. He
said:
A VERY MODEST PROGRAMME.
when the players arrive here we can have
carriages to osmeet them at the depot and
headed by brass band, take them to their
hotel. At the latter place we can have
modest aud palatahle repast provided for
them, which in no sense can do them any harm.
A few invited guests can be there, and the
Mayor and one or two more prominent citizens
can make few remarks of welcome; replies
can be made by Spalding, Anson, Ward and
Others. The carriages will then convey the
players 70 the grounds, where short prom
Now, there is nothing gay in this nor
expensive. Without any reception at
all the players would run round
little nd . 04e anything; qS,n tire aPd ND
their presence, they assisted to carry out the
above programme. We certainly must do
something but don't by any means want to
take part in anything that will have tendency
TO injure or interfere with the good condition
of the players"
The players Judging from indications, will
have good, lively time IN England All the
bic interest in the matter. The LONDON Ref
cree, which, as a rule, is much opposed TO any
thing like hero-worship, says:
According to circular addressed to me by a
gentleman wEo, strangely enough. seeks to for
ward his proteges' interests and not advertise
himself the American base ballers recently
Starring in Australia lay much store on friendly
reception in England. They cannot really
doubt being warmly welcomed in this country,
I should guess, for we always greet talent with
open arms, and more particularly when such
talent spreads itself in directions hitherto un-
exploited within our gates. Men of Chicago,
also of all America-which might be thought to
include Chicago, but inogically does not-make
high a one as you care to have it.
You may be coming to introduce a new popu-
lar craze which will perhaps cause one or
more of our sporting institutions to be shunted.
On this score have my fears, because lawn
tennis has taught us that we have not room for
new pastimes except at the expense of stand
ards: But in sport or pasrime, as in pretty
nearly all things except Government offices.
the fttest will survive, because people will
have what they like best So supposing that
that we freeze on to baseball, and that sort of
freezing induces frost in other outdoor amuse-
ments, all we can do is TO thank you for intro
ducing something better suited to our wants
than we were able to elaborate for ourselves.
We have, however, yet to see whether base
ball suits us YOU know"