Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17
AREVIEW OF SPORTS,
Discussion as to What is An
Amateur Athlete,
AND A DEFINITION GIVEN.
Some Opinions Regarding the Home
Coming of J. M. Ward.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE PUGILlSTS.
Prospects of the Year for Running and
TrOtting Races.
AND A DEFINITION GIVEN.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE PUGILISTS.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

Two or three days ago had handed to
me a copy of the Allegheny County Base
ball League constitution. 1t is gotten up
in a way that reflects credit on Mr.. w. j.
Barr, who had the work of printing it in
charge. There is, however, an exceedingly
interesting statement or declaration in the
constitution certainly of sufficient public in
terest to demand attention. The declara-
ton referred to is article 2, section 1, and
reads as follows: Professionals are not
excluded from the ranks of the Allegheny
County League as the qualities which go to
make up a professional have never been
clearly defined This is an indirect way
of saying that an amateur has not
been defined sufficiently clear to give
us a correct idea as to what amateur is. If
we know what constitutes amateur then
we'll certainly know what professional is 1t
may surprise the many writers and authorities
both in this country and in Europe to know
that after all their efforts to define an amateur
the Allegheny County League is still unable to
distinguish that object or individual from
professional. Because of this, and apparently
this only, the County League will draw no line
between the two classes. This reason, if it has
any force in it is sad reflection on the dozens
of dehners who have labored to show us how to
draw the distinguishing line. But the
question has many interesting features beside
the main one. 1t is true that there is and has
been for long time some very erroneous no.
tions regarding what is and what is not an
amateur. Day after day we hear baseball
clubs, many of the players of 7 hich are paid
for their services. called amateurs, and fire.
quently we hear footrunners who are not first
class, spoken of as amateurs. These mistaken
ideas are caused by the thought that an "ama-
teur" is a person who is not among the first
class people in anything that he undertakes to
do. Nothing could be more misleading, be-
cause there are amateurs in almost all branches
of sport who can hold their own with the best
of professionals could run long list of
names would space permit relating to pedes-
trians. bicyclists and athletes generally. This
then conclusively proves that the term anna
teHrs cannot mean one that is inferior. In this
respect the term novice is correct
What an AlnateurIs.
In word an amateur is one who participates
in any sport for the love of it only. He is not
to receive any recompense because as soon as
he does that be becomes professional. am
aware that on this point there have been vol
umes of controversy regarding the most prom
inent athletes, but the matter is now defined
SO clearly that anybody who can read can un-
derstand it. Technically there are very few
amateur baseball players if the definition of
that term by the National Amateur Associa-
tion is accepted. Amateurs cannot compete
with or against professionals An amateur
cannot either directly or indirectly receive pay
for coaching or training, nor for teaching any
athletic exercise; nor shall an amateur run,
manage or direct for prospective profit. any
professional exhibition or contest This we
will all conclude, draws the line pretty fine
and certainly ought tosbe explicit enough.
, Johnny Wards Home Coming.
The question that is now interesting base
ball people most is: "Why is John NJ. Ward re-
turning home SO suddenly" Already there
have been numerous answers given to this
query and probably many more will be given
before Mr.. John NJ. lands or course he is on
the sea now and will be here before next Sun
day comes if all goes well and when he does
come. doubtless, those of us who do not hear
his voice will hear its echoes. John will have
something to say. He is a talker and willing
one. However, to great extent his coming
will be awaited with much anxiety. He is
president Of the Ball Players Brotherhood
over the the entire organization for that mat
ter, because it has not even opened its eyes
during his absence. But he is also the husband
of Mrs. Helen Dauvray Ward, who threatens
to 20 on the stage, and he also writes books
Each of these facts has been put forth as
ing. 1t has been said that he must come here as
soon as possible to attend to the Brotherhood
affairs. 1t has also been said that he is anxious
to try and prevent his wife from going on to
the stage again; and it has further been said
thath is writing book regarding the bali play
ers trip, and wants to have it on the market
hrst. Any of these reasons are plausible, but
he says that domestic affairs only are forcing
him home soon. His colleagues whom he
has left behind say that it is the affairs of the
Brotherhood that are causing his action, At
the anfbOr n fO IloII
Player is a very important parsonage in the
baseball world, and the matter may be worth a
few remarks. ...-.-.-..
One Important Feature.
of the three conjectures above named there is
only one that concerns baseball people in any,
thing like vital way, viz, that relating to the
Players Brotherhood. The others may be in
teresting but it is not likely that the status or
constitution of the national game will
e affected by any theatrical re-
I've Of Mrs. Ward or any literary
lture or effort Of her husband. The import
feature is: Is President Ward coming here
in shalf Of the Brotherhood to declare hostil-
ities against the National Lacquer Now, allow
me TO assume that he is and prob
ably the most important grievance hell
hnd is the classification scheme, which
has been established in his absence. He
and his colleagues now in England condemn
lent case by which the entire matter can
be tested 1 refer to the case of Jim
Whitney. the Washington pitcher. BE
has been placed in Glass B, much to the
surprise of many baseball patrons. Well, GER
tainly this will be case for President Ward
and the Brotherhood, if they want any case at
hcation scheme IN all its crudity. But, if they
do so; what then? There's the rub. To tackle
the League is one thing and to make a success
of it is another confess that have little faith
n 10 mt viz
ousin any contest that may take place between
it and the League I'm thorough going trade
unionist at that, but the truth is we have yet to
discover whether or not the Brotherhood has
attained the dignity Of solid and wisely con-
Quoted union. But supposing it has so far de-
veloped there are facts which. would go to
show that no matter how the players object or
declare war they are too late now. The ma
iority of the good men have signed for the
season, so that whoever of the small balance
holds out those who are signed must by con-
tract oppose them by playing. In my humble
opinion, then, cannot see how Mr.. Ward is
going to improve matters even if he tries If
he does not cry IL is fair to say that the Brother
hood is even more of a myth" than is the |
League. The events of the outgoing winter
have proven that the players have considerably
gotten the worst of legislation without an Of
ficial voice being raised opportunely against it,
This certainly shows that if the Brotherhood is
anything than name it had duties to fulfill
this winter;bu Just when its influence and power
was most needed its leader was deliberately
absent. Icannot imagine any other union in
the country whose leaders would be absent
when the employers were arranging the annual
scale of wages for the workmen. If such stupid
conduct was INDUCED in then by all means let
the consequences be suffered by those who
acted so foolishly.
Manager Phillips Opinion.
had a conversation with Manager Phillips a
few days ago on the foregoing subject. He is
very positive on the matter and unhesitatingy
declares that Whatever Wards mission home
may be will have no effect on the League Nj. !