The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-02
NEARING THE End.
w. /. Harris Says the Baseball
War Is Nearly Over.
THE PLAYERS LEAGUES PLIGHT.
The Indications Are That 1t Is the Under
Dog i'm the Fight-Prospectus of the
American Association and National
League for Next Year.


Dog in the Fight-Prospectus of the
American Association and National
League for Next Year.
At this writing the baseball legislators
of both leagues are in session in New York,
and by the time this letter appears in print
one of two things viii have been accom-
plished: either the Players league will have
been wiped out altogether or il will have
been reduced 20 the position of minor or
ganzation. with anything but a cheerful
prospect before IT, The indications are that
when the bell rings for 1891 there viii be
no such thing as Players league. This
will be brought about by consolidation or
freeze out, or by amalgamation with the
American association
As it stands now New York, PittSburg
and Chicago are irrevocably lost TO the
Players league Brooklyn will be by the
time this letter sees the light, at least so
far as the present Players League club is
concerned, and with the elimination of
Brooklyn will follow Cincinnati, as the
National league would then control the
etock of the club and would then enable it
10 make satisfactory terms with the Brush
AilSOuA WulNu COutAOAS NAC I'm
cinnati National league franchise. This
would leave Boston, Cleveland and Phila-
delphia out in the cold, and the first two,
If they would give up the fight, might save
something out of the general wreck.
As for Philadelphia the chances are that
the Wagner brothers can get out whole by
sliding gracefully into the American asso-
citation. ibis is the programme of the
National league leaders at this time, and
their belief as TO what will be the final
outcome. Addison, of Chicago, as j. Earle
Wagner puts it, has been paid TO get off
the earth, " and the Boston and Cleveland
Players League clubs will be offered the
same terms, only not so liberal compara-
lively.
1t is not to be expected that the Boston
people will submit without fight, or the
Wagners either. They have laid down a
plan for vigorous one. The National
league men declare that it is bluff, but if
it is it is certainly a good one, and in the
language of the street, they may get away
with it," The scheme of the remnant of
the Players league looks well on paper.
Boston, Philadelphia and Cleveland they
have sure. Boston promises to put up $50,
600 to see the league through the season. Mr..
Prince, the new president of the organiza-
ton, processes 10 have discovered a legal way
to force the Chicago club to remain in the
league by injunction proceedings, and the
league claims to have on hand, and it I'M
doubtedly has, proposition from new cap
italists in Brooklyn either to buy out the
present Disguised capitalists or TO start
an entirely new club, provided that Ward
is able TO hold his team together and de-
liver it intact. They also claim to have an
application from another city for fran
chise. This is thought to be Washington
or Detroit.
Mr.. Prince is very enthusiastic. and as
serts that there is no doubt whatever that
the League can prevent Mr.. Addison from
his deal with Mr.. Spalding,
and force him by legal means and the cash
they are prepared to put up to continue in
the fold. Mr.. Prince hopes to reorganize
the Players league with eight good clubs,
and to continue in business next year upon
nearly the same lines as in 1890.
The National league men laugh at these
assertions, which, they say, are merely
made to secure better terms for Cleveland,
Boston and Philadelphia. They are not in
the least worried by the threat of legal pro-
and are serenely confident that
the Players league is almost a complete
wreck. These are the indications as write,
but in spite of outward bluffs by both sides
negotiations are still progressing in one
shape and another, and it would not be
if the situation of affairs should
be entirely changed almost before this let /
ter is put into type
One thing seems certain, and that is that ;
even if the Players league can be held to- /
yether its prestige will be gone as major /
league, and it is equally certain that its /
lair prospects have been frittered away by 4
stupid blunders on the part of men who /
thought that they could play winter base /
ball with Al Spalding, Charley Byrne and /
John b. Day. While the result was inev- 4
table, it is certain that had the Players /
eague men acted wisely ana cOurageOusly 4
hey could at least have secured better
erms for themselves than they have done. I
As it is it looks like an ignominious defeat.
The American association next year viii 1
probably consist of Columbus, Louisville,
Toledo and st. Louis in the west, with
(Wagner's club, Baltimore,
Washington and either Rochester or Bos-
the former-in the east.
ne that should prove paying one with
twenty-five cent tariff.
The National ieague viii consist Of New
-ork, Brooklyn. Philadelphia and Boston
q the east, and the western clubs will be
'ittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago and Cleve-
and. None Of these clubs will have any
pposi,ion except in Philadelphia, unless
] the always possible but improbable re
of the Players league, and that
position even il it should come would
My be strong in Boston
Collectively IL would amount 70 nothing,
zen if the Players league should be able
, hold all Of its star players, which Is not
robable. At least oue-third Of the play
y nave salary due them on last season, or
lther have arrears that cannot De collected
nder their contracts. and it Is not likely
lat many Of them viii be found who will
2 willing 70 take chances on another such
.ason as last If they are able TO make any
rms with the National league. Il is safe
say that organization VIII get back all
its old men that 1t care 70 have
1t IS matter for congratulatio1 for
'ery true supporter % the great national
lme that peace has been secured and that :
sXt season we shall have restored that
cal pride that create deep interest, and
at we shall once more have a national
Under thcse conditions /
.sebSll VIII again step 20 the front q all
.orts, where for its fascination and it,
honesty IL viii once more 4
sumo the sway which il deserves % in J
sc and which has been for the last year :
lder a clo'.d which. now that il ha- been
ted. viii make IL silver lining al the
lighter W l. HARRIS
The play which Stua = Robson recently
ought ogs 10 CIaciu AZ. Is Marriage a + Z