Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-25
OPPOSED TO 25-CENT BALL.
he Suggests Athletic Contests and
Concerts Before the Games.
THE VIEWS OF MANAGER LOTUS.
Boston and New York N. L. Clubs Have
Lively Time at Boston.
RAIN PREVENTS SEVERAL GAMES

Boston (N.L.)...... 9....New York (N.I-). o
Buffalo o(P.L.l...1S... Cleveland (P.L.)..1 rs
Boston (P.L.l...... a.. Brooklyn (P.L.)..
The movement in favor of establishing 25
cent ball in this city is becoming exceeding
ly interesting. The opinions of the officials
of the local National League club are very
conflicting on the matter but the majority
favor reduction of price. Director j. P.
O'Neil is about the only local official who
is definitely opposed to change and in sup
port of his views he has some very interesting
suggestions and opinions to offer. During
conversation with the writer yesterday he said:
81 pay the greatest Difference to the opinions
of President Nimick and others on this mat
ter. but am inclined to think that we can do
better than reducing our price.
THE MAJORITY WILL RULE.
"of course will at all times take off my hat
to the majority and If 1 am outvoted why will
turn in and do all 1 to help the policy Of
the majority. But here is what would do. If
we can not put up a 50cent game we must
make il worth that amount. That's all there
is in it. My policy is to commence
at once and improve the grounds and Sc
cure better means of transportation to and
from the grounds. We should put an entrance
gate at the ceneer field corner, and that would
be convenient for the railroad and cable cars.
We should cushion the 'bleachers' and put a
cover above them, and also put l00e opera
chairs into the grand stand, making ladies'
section. Along with all this l would have
musical concerts connected with the games
and also athletic entertainments. We could
have. for instance, bicycle contests between
the best riders in the country a short time be-
fore the game. These features would certainly
the game worth more than so cents.
MUST HAVE GOOD MEN.
Again if we haven't a 50-cent team we must
get one We cannot estimate our team yet but
am confident that our players will win more
games this year than our last years club did.
They cannot do any worse than did our ex-
pensive stars. The fact is, however. that when
a young team loses a game the general opinion
seems to be that it is because they cannot do
any better. There is no allowance made
for them; but when aggregation of
expensive men, such as we had last year,
loses about Is straight games all kinds of e1-
cuses are made for them. Why. the team that
left us has been continually battling for sixth
or seventh place. If that was worth so cents,
most certainly our present team shouldn't be
estimated at any lower figure. Our club has
made more money at 50 cents than it did at Is
made away to PLAYERS. who in some instances,
turned out to be worthless, and in other in
stances treated us dishonesty after getting our
money"
President N1mick, along with Secretary
Scandrett and Director Brown. is staunch
supporter of the 25-cent policy. The President
said yesterday: II would like to have the price
reduced. We have already mentioned the mat
ter to the National League, and think we will
mention it again. We cannot change our price
except by the unanimous consent Of the Ma
tonal League. / cannot say how the League
will deal with it, but believe that it would be
q benefit to our club to have the price re-
duced."
WHAT MANAGER LOTUS SAYS.
Manager LOTUS of the Cincinnati team, ex-
pressed his opinion on the matter to the effect
that to reduce the price would not be wise
policy He did not know what the National
League would do in the matter.
There is. undoubtedly, strong public feeling
in Pittsburg in favor 25-cent ball. Some of
the best patrons of the game are convinced
that reduction of price would not be a wise
policy but that it ought to be done in fairness
to the working public of the city.
President NImick was also asked his opinion
regarding any chance of having the schedules
possible. He said: The Players League off,
cials are entirely responsible for the conhicuon
of dates We made up our schedule to suit
ourselves, and they changed theirs to our dates.
did the local Players League club DO? Why,
without any justifable reason or cause, they
coaxed the Chicagos to stay here and play, so
as to conflict with us. Is that helping the
dignity or prestige of the game?
WHO is RESPONSIBLE?
"They have said that their object wasn't to
ruin or drive anybody out of the business who
had money in it. but their actions show that
they will do anything to ruin those who have
spent thusands of dollars in building up the
game. They are responsible for the conflicting
dates and not us. One thing 1 ALREADY observe,
viz: that this conflict is injuring the prestige
of the game in Pittsburg The two audiences
at the two games do not make an average crowd
by far. and that means that many people are
becoming disguised with the way matters are
being conducted"
On this point Manager LOTUS said: This
conflict is killing almost ali local pride in the
game at cities where there are two teams.
Public sentiment is divided and in the contro-
versy one side is trying to ruin the other. This
tends to kill all pride in the local teams and
sours the minds of the liberal supporters of the
game. Where there is contest things never
go smooth and then hundreds of people wash
their hands Of the whole business. 1t is great
blow to the game and this conflicting of dates
is the chief source of all trouble"