Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-13
SPORTING REVIEW.
Probable Difficulties Between
League and Association.
AFFAIRS0FTHELOCALCLUB
John Teemer Resolves Not to Go to
Australia.
THE SULLIVAN-KILRAIN BATTLE.
Prospects of TrOtting Race Among Local
Two Year-0ldS.
AFFAIRS0FTHELOCALCLUB
THE SULLIVAN-KILRAIN BATTLE.
DETAILS OF GEORGE SMITHS DEFEAT

1t will not be long before baseball occu.
pies its rightful position among American
sporting events; in other words, not very
many weeks will elapse ere the national
game takes first place again in all newspaper
sporting accounts throughout the country.
From to-day on public interest in the pre-
mier sport of the country will increase, until
it will, expect, be more enthusiastic than
ever. Baseball prospects are good, and club
directors and stockholders are confident of this
fact.
Before the season opens, however, there are
o few very important questions to settle, which
may affect both the League and Association.
A few days ago Mr.. ]. W. Spalding, through
the columns of this paper pointed out that the
Association may not be disposed to indorse the
graded salary plan Of the League this season.
He further said that, even if the League plan
in general were Endorsed some of its details
would be changed. Mr.. Spalding had been
talking the matter over with President Byrne,
of the Brooklyn club only few days before
he made the statements just quoted, and we
may assume that he was possessed of facts not
known by the public. Mr.. Spalding, however, is
of the opinion that, rule or no rule the Associa-
ton will have to keep salaries down, SO that
the result will be the same. This is q hopeful
view of the case, but if the result should not be
as expected the trouble will be greater than
many people imagine.
Manager Phillips holds contrary opinion to
Mr. Spalding, and thinks that if the Associa-
tlon does not adopt rule similar to that of the
League there will be considerable difficulties
There seems to be much force in what Manager
Phillips says; indeed, SO much that it might be
profitable if the magnates of both organiza-
tions were to have the matter amicably settled
as soon as possible. 1 feel confident that the
League plan in some of its details will be
changed or modified. Mr.. Spalding is also of
similar opinion. Certainly President Byrne
says that some changes must be made before
the Association can favor the plan. If the two
organizations ever lock horns on the matter the
effects will be very unpleasant to both parties.
AS has been pointed out in these
columns frequently, the object of the
rule is all right but the object of one
thing and the means of attaining it is
another. The matter of classifying, for in
stance will probably be satisfactory to nobody
when fairly tested. A common understanding,
however, can be arrived at on the question at
the March meetings if all parties concerned are
disposed to give and take.
A report is current to the effect that the local
club directors have resolved to dispense with
four certain players now under contract. The
quartette not wanted. however, will be given
an opportunity when the season opens to prove
their worth and if they show up well they will
be kept and some other four released or sold.
RumOr has it that McShannie, Maui Coleman
and Staley are among those mentioned. Why
Staley is on the list for probable release can
not surmise; indeed. the surprise would have
been less great If Garfield had been named.
We all have seen that Staley can pitch effect
lively and last season gave promise of blossom
ing into hrst-class man. L cannot believe that
the directors even think of releasing Staley ex-
cept some unforeseen circumstance occurs to
compel such action.
Manager Phillips is almost all right again.
and is busily engaged making arrangements for
the spring exhibition games. 1t is now def
nitely settled that the team shall make its first
appearance this year away from home. The
question of good or bad luck for the season
may have something to do with ii, but certain
ly the desire is to have the players in as good
shape as possible before the local patrons see
them. The exhibition series, however, does
not promise to be as important was ex-
pected. 1t was thought that the local team
and the st. Louis Browns would test conclu-
sions, but all hope in that respect seems to
fuses to pit his men against our sluggers. it
will not be unreasonable to say that he thinks
discretion the better part of valor.
John Teemer has definitely made up his
mind to remain at McKeesport until spring
time at least This resolve is not surprising to
me, although am strongly of opinion that he
can defeat many of the prominent scullers in
Australia. Teemer could certainly secure two
or three good matches were he to visit the
antipodes, but the probability is that he has
good reasons for not going. 1t a fact that his
hackers and himself lost almost ali the money
they had to spare on the late race at Washing
ton. Had Teemer won he and his friends, to |
Australia on ''veIvet;H their winnings would |
have paid all expenses.
According to the latest in auuatics O'Connor |
and Gaudaur are to measure oars. They are |
to row a match at San Francisco early in the |
spring. This certainly knocks all reasoning
concerning public form the head; in fact It |
would seem that public form is entirely useless |
as guide. Teemer defeated Gaudaur easily, |
and Teemer in turn was even more easily set |
tied by OConnor. The latter has also defeated |
Gaudaur, and in the face of all this Gaudaur |
Surely professional rowing is hard to under |
stand
During the week there have been several Of |
fers made by trotting horse owners to match |
their 2-year-olds either in a match race OF a |
sweepstake. The result may be that in the |
latter part of summer there will be an inter.
esting contest with the local youngsters. So |
far the owners of five 2-year-olds by Oberlin,
Holstein, Euclid, Harry Hontas and Eugene |
have declared their willingness to
Join in a sweepstake. At 500 each the race |
81, 600 for the winner, while the loss would not |
be financially great to the losers. Beside the |
great question OF breeding would be even
West Bridgewater, has come to the front in
business like way, and if the other owners are
as earnest in the matter as he is there will be
race. The interest being shown in young local
horses is encouraging, because after all we have
very few speedy customers here. Of course 1
am aware of the ridiculous stories sent out day
after day about this 2:l5 wonder and that 2:l4
hat fbaTo ic
scarcely horse owned by Pittsburger slower
than 2:20 However, common sense people
know that there is any amount of room for i'm
provement and to promote races among the
youngsters will tend to that improvement.
Undoubtedly the great sporting event of the
week has been the signing of articles for fight
between John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain. L
confess that to great extent it has become an
on the public to continue talking and
writing about Sullivan, Kilrain, Mitchell and
These four pugilists or boxers. or
whatever they are, have been given a notoriety
during the last year or so that they have never
merited. Their names and their statements
have appeared so often in newspapers that the
wonder is the public is not more wearied of
them than it is.
However, we cannot very well omit saying a
few words about the latest phase of the Sulli-
matter. 1t is the first time on rec
ord that these two men signed their names to
an agreement which would seem to bind them
to meet In prize ring This fact in itself is of
great Importance to the sporting world, and
there are other features connected with the
Just as important and just as inter-
esung. hllraln is already complaining about
the article and Sullivan is complaining about
kilrain- One is charging the other with cow
ardice, and each declares that the other will
never enter hering
There really are features about the affair
which encourage the suspicion that q battle
between Sullivan and Kflrain will never take
place. am very skeptical, indeed on the mat
ter True, there are some extraordinary feat
ures concerning it, but even these tend to lead
one to the conclusion that no fight will take
place. During the last few days have re-