Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12
A REVIEW OF SPORTS,
Opinions About the Home
Clubs Recent Work.
ANSON'S LATEST VIEWS
About the Injustice of the Classif-
cation of Players.
EULLIVAN'S LATEST ESCAPADE.
Comment on the Proposed Ellingsworth-
Dempsey Battle.
THE FUTURE OF BOXING DISCUSSED

THE FUTURE OF BOXING DISCUSSED
DRYDEN, mean Alexsnder's Feast Dry
den, in one of his beautiful little odes, tells
us that ''hope with gOodly prospects feeds
the eye." This sentiment is, indeed; consol-
ing in many phases Of daily life; not only
to the men of fortune and fashion, but also
to the humblest plebeian. But at this stage
of the struggle for the National League
baseball pennant perhaps hopes goodly
prospects are more consoling to the admirers
of the local ball club than to any other class
of citizens. Judging from the struggle so
far there is, indeed, much to hope for.
Whether half Of it will ever be realized I
know not, but probably it is better to live
in hope than die in despair. We need to
hope for better work if our baseball horses
are to cut anything like respectable
figure in the race. That they
can do 50 is just as certain
as we live IL the team was fairly into good con-
dition- It is this Improvement Of condition
that We all hope for, and, if that is realized.
and non-champions moving round like cat on
hot skillet When the season first opened
pointed out the poor condition of our pitchers,
and in . measure predicted that the results
would not be cheering. 1t was thought that
few days would find all the pitchers in good
condition, but instead Of that matters seem to
have become worse. It is pity, and feel sure
that both the admirers Of the club and lovers
of baseball generally will regret it II is not
unreasonable to say that when in condition,
the PittsDurg pitchers are equal to any in the
country, and better, as let, than those
Of the majority of League teams. This
is q statement which. think, will be
accepted generally, and. IL it is true,
there is no reason why, providing the pitchers
are all right, the home club should not be
among the leaders from start to finish. Already
the playing Of our team has taught US that
they can hit the ball and field just as good as
anybody. However, the unfortunate condition
Of our leading pitchers ought to prompt both
players and officials to make better efforts to
guard against such occurrences next year.
49,
The League Race.
II excitement is what the enthusiasts of the
hstionsl game want they surely have good
well be any closer at the start than the League
race. Philadelphia. New York. Boston, Pitts
burg and Cleveland are all jumping of with a
vim that is pleasing to see. Therace is at such
an early stage yet that nothing outside of
mere conjecture can well be said. Il seems
70 me, however, that New York is Just as
strong as it was last year. Keefe is in harness
again, and he and Welch will be formidable
opponents for anybody. If there were books
on the seasons contest, judging from present
indication, New York ought 10 be favorlte
Philadelphia would be an extraordinary team
were its hitting power in proportion to its
pitching power. This defect, however will
keep the QuRkers from the top Boston has
done nothing during the week, and am still
inclined against its chances for the pennant
Cleveland SO far has been a surprise, but it
would seem fair to wait until the various
teams have become steadied before comparing
the Baby with any of them. Washington may
be destined to bring up the rear. The team is
apparently no stronger than it was last year.
Chicago is RAPIDLY improving, and the Hoosiers
only trifie better than last season.
Apson's Latest Kick.
Captain Anson, Of the Chicago club, has
finally declared himself in no uncertain
way on the classification rule. He has
20 great extent pointed out a new objec-
ton 20 the system; the objection re-
lates directly to the exchequer Of the club and
therefore, is backed up by considerable earnest
ness Mr.. Anson has discovered that the
classification plan is neither wise in policy nor
just in principle. Ftake occasion to draw at
tention to this declaration now because when
the rule was first adopted raised similar OBJ
jections in this paper. Almost singlehand
have insisted on these objections, believing
them 70 be founded on common sense or logic.
The oolectors to the plan are increasing every
week and 1t viii be to me of the great surprises
of next fall and winter if a very radical
change is not made in the plan. OF course,
have always argued that the object Of the
plan was all right. Its mission was to cut down
salaries. But the means is one thing and the
result is another. The principle of q oneTnan
classification by what is known as players
averages" is of the unsoundest mind, and as
sure as we live there never was and never will
be an unsound principle that will lead to per-
manent success. The Chelsea sage, Carlisle, in
one of his beautiful books, says that q lie can
not always exist, and If this il true we may add
that truth is immortal 1t follows, then, that
any system founded on false or untrue princi-
pies or notions must eventually lead to in
creased troubles. So far it seems to me that
the effects of the classification plan are in this
direction. Aside from the theoretical features
of the question, which have already
been argued in these columns, Mr..
Anson cites the case of Bastan to show
70 club. The latter is sadly in need of a short
stop and Bastian desires to join the club. Chi
cago wants to buy him and pay him salary he
desires, but the Classification specter looms up
and fOrbfds any such satisfactory deal between
the players and the club. Classification says
TO Bastian: 81 have put you well down the list,
and you cannot have what Anson says you are
worth. OF course, you are to work for him,
and he is able to judge as to the quality of
your services, but won't allow any deal ex-
cept my terms are occepted. Certainly I'm not
financially interested in the Chicago club, but
that don't matter to me. My object is TO stop
you, Bastian and Anson. from making terms
satisfactory to yourselves"
A Double IpjustIce.
There Is nothing exaggerated in the above
Secause it is practically how matters stand be-
tween Bastian, Anson and classification. Even
q the first named does accept the lower terms
dictated by Classification the foregoing argu-
ment Is not at all affected. It is apparent that
thsre is at least double injustice. Bastian is
being punished because of a rule which SAYS
that he is not worth as much as the Chicago
club thinks he is and even wants to pay him.
The club is being unJustly treated because Of q
rule which claims TO know more about what it
needs than it does itself At least this is q RI
diculous state Of things and it is safe to say
that any other club than Chicago would have
deemed the circumstances just as unjust as
Anson and Chicago have done. 1t is q fact that
big salaries are going along just as much as
ever, and It may truthfully be added
that they will continue to do so. The
lions of the game have SO far been kept quiet
by their getting almost everything they wanted.
It is only the modest and, to q very great ex-
tent. players of every day use that are appar-
emily the victims Of the rule ever the
Players Brotherhood had an idea of doing any
thing for the benefit of the Dlavers il has an