Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-11
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Discussion About Next Years
National League Clubs.
MR. SPALDING'S NEW PLAN.
Reasons Why the Minor Leagues
May Object to 1t.
TROUBLES OF LOCAL BALL CLUB.
Talk About the Dempsey and La Blanche
Battle.
MR. SPALDING'S NEW PLAN.
TROUBLES OF LOCAL BALL CLUB.
AFFAIRS OF THE CHAMPION PUGILIsTS

National League next season. Of course ii
is somewhat early just now to figure or con-
lecture in any definite way about the mat
ter. However, from what 1 know 1 am
fully convinced that there will be no
changes in the Leagues composition. 1
know that there is considerable talk about
Cincinnati taking the place of some team In
the League; but in discussing this feature
the very first question that presents itself is
what club is going to leave the League? 1t
is quite clear to everybody that if no club
withdraws there will be no room for Cincin-
natl. There is nothing to show that any of
the Western clubs in the National League
intend to withdraw; on the contrary, they
have already declared their intention to re-
main in. The only possible hope for Cincinnati
is the withdrawal of Indianapolis, because
there is no fear at all of Chicago, Cleveland
and Pittsburg. Well, 1 have it on the
authority of President Brush that indianapolis
will most certainly remain in the League for
next season at least. This, then. seems to set
tie the matter. We are also told that Brooklyn
will take the place of Washington next season,
but President Hewitt assures us all on his
honor that he has no intention whatever of
wiuhdraw wing from the League. Therefore we
may expect no changes in that direction.
Doubtless from Washington to Brooklyn
would be a very profitable change, and so
would change from Indianapolis to Cincin-
matt. But it is not likely that the League will
force any of its present members out to take
in new ones. Besides, if Mr.. Spalding's plan
of organization or reorganization is adopted
what is termed the poor clubs in the League
will be considerably benefited.
SpaIdIng's New Plan.
So far have had nothing to say regarding
the proposed plan of organization by Mr..
Spalding. would have refrained from saying
anything about it just now had not a conversa-
ton with President Nimick a few days ago
prompted me to deal with one feature of It. In
considering Mr.. Spalding's scheme there is a
feature in it that seems to cling to all these
new methods or plans. 1 refer to the absence
of first principles and often the presence of
something in direct violation of them. We
had better all become convinced that anything
founded on untrue unsound principles
cannot be permanently successful 1 argued
this point fully when the classification scheme
was first adopted, aad my objections to it then
have become general So much so that we
may look for a changs in it next fall. Well
one of the greatest objections 1 have to Mr.
Spalding's scheme is its dealings with minor
mission that minor leagues have or ought to
have is to develop players for the big organiza-
tions. Of course the fact that minor league
clubs are just as important to those connected
with them and who patronize them as are Ma
tional League Clubs to its officers and patrons
is lost sight of entirely. Mr.. Spalding proposes
that certain cut and dried price be
put on the head of each minor league player
and that major league club be allowed to buy
49,.
result of system of this kind. Suppose De-
troit is leading for the International League
pennant, and suppose this lead is the result of.
the work of good battery. But Just when a
permanent victory seems certain major league
club demands that battery and puts up the
price. and then down goes the club and its re-
ceipts fall off. don't think that the minor
leagues will ever agree to an arrangement of
this kind. But Mr.. Nimick told me the other
day that if they did not they would not be
afforded the protection of the National agree
ment 1t would, therefore, seem that there is a
desire to whip the little people into line and if
this is done don't know by what name the
action or conduct will be designated by the
magnates, but it will be nothing short of
tyranny.
The Pcnnaut Race.
The struggle for the League pennant is fine
one, and no mistake about it. Five OF. six posi-
tions are being fought for with determine
tion that is both remarkable and exciting
There is nothing like good neck and neck
contest, and surely nobody can desire to see
anything more neck and neck than Boston and
New York; Cleveland and Philadelphia; In
dlanapolis and Pittsburg. 1 still cling to the
Giants, and 1 am still convinced that they are
the best team, take them all round, in the
League. But there is an,uncertainty connected
with them that must ever be kept in mind.
refer to their pitchers If Keefe can hold
nr1fc ctr anra1f hoxu ~ No.
cannot win the pennant. If the two pitchers
named were in their best form, and also Rad
bourne and Clarkson, think we would all be
inclined to speculate IN favor of the Giants. l
make this provision, therefore. that bar &C
cIdents, the Giants will again get the pennant
Chicago is looming up In doing great things,
ate GGt fesF sFarnS fney ffs Haa A1soH s s0S sOS
his team commenced their effort
a few weeks earlier they might have collared
the leaders ere the finish was reached. But if
we figure a little on the percentages now we'Il
find that it is hardly possible for Anson's team
to get first or second. His apparently positive
can be put down as bluff and nonsense. CIeve-
land is still playing good game, and will
likely continue to do so to the end Its pitch |
ers are not as gay and vigorous as they used to |
be, but they are in good condition, and it will |
not surprise many if Cleveland keeps ahead of |
Chicago right on to the end of the race. To be |
sure, Chicagos pitchers are in great form just |
now, and we must not forget that the home |
team is still that disappointing combination |
that it has always been. At present it would |
seem as If there was nothing wrong with the |
team. Staley. Norris Calvin and Sowders are |
all in good shape, and the balance of the team |
seem all right. l don't sec that there is any
thing to bolster up as an excuse for defeats |
now except the plain and significant fact of |
poor playing. If the players keep all right and |
play as they can play they certainly will land |
ahead of Indianapolis, but not a step higher |
will they get But there is little to choose be- |
tween sixth and seventh places; both are bad. |
and it may not be wide of the mark to say that |
Pittsburg will not stand In sixth place very |
much longer,
Local Club TroubIes.
The local club is not clear of its troubles vet |
by any means. So far this season there has |
been great difficulty in getting the right kind |
of players, and now the efforts of the club Off
cials will be used in securing a manager. A |
few days ago Secretary Scandrett intimated to |
me that the Sunday arrangement will not be |
permanent, ana that means a new manager /
will be secured. 1t certainly woula be a very |
fact if the club could make man
ager of It's own If Sunday could be tried and /
found equal to the occasion it would be well
indeed, to give bin all the encouragement pos |
sible. However, it seems safe to say that the 1
directors of the club will meet and decide to
have permanent manager outside the players |
IL will be difficult to replace Manager Phillips
because, amid his shortcomings he was a very
able and conscientious manager. We have /
many examples of the trouble there is in get
ting manager suitable to all parties con-
cerned. We all know of the difficulties that /
able quality was secured. With this fact be-
fore us it would seem well for the directors to
proceed slowly in the matter. If it is now con-
sideTed certain that Mr.. Phillips will not man
age the team any more.
The Big BOnt Race.
As September 8 approaches the sporting
world is turning its attention to the big scull-