Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-18
Some Interesting Opinions Regard
ing the Proposed National
Cricket League.
WHAT PITTSBURGERS SAY OF 1T.
Director O'Neill Receives Letter From
Manager Burnham lxplaining
Few Matters.
A TALK WITH BILLIARDIST DODDS.
I'd Nikrk and Abe Smith Matched to Run-Gensral
Sporting News of the Day.

The project to organize National Cricket
League is gaining in favor. Not only are
leading cricketers in the East and West in
dorsing the idea, but ali the prominent
cricketers in Pittsburg are enthusiastic
about it. During conversation yesterday,
Secretary Dawson, OF the Allegheny Athletic
Association, said:
why, Pittsburgers are sure to be in favor
OF national league. because if any city can
stand one we can. We are the central point,
and weIl nave Exposition Park for our
grounds. The project is good one by all
means"
Alex. Macpherson, one of our leading
c-icketers, was also enthusiastic regarding
the proposed league. He said: 81 think the
idea a good one, and feel certain that it
will be go. 1t will boom cricket, and if a
league is formed 1 think we can get
together a team here that will keep
the best of them guessing. 1 also
think that it would be good
idea to have all the leading cricket clubs
represented at meeting in this city, and
definite action taken. We are located
centrally here and it would be easier Tor
representatives, generally speaking, to meet
here. We will have lots of cricket here
next year, and for that reason, L would like
to see q national league formed
THE PROPOSED CIRCUIT.
The prevailing opinion at present is in
favor OF the following cities: Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg
and Chicago. 1t is thought that these
cities would make a good circuit. A special
dispatch to this paper from Philadelphia
gives the following prominent opinion on
the matter:
L. W. Clark, Jr., when asked for his
views, said that he was favOrabIy impressed
and thought the plan should be carried into
effect. He believed that this city should
NOT be represented by more than one team,
in order to avoid casting reflection upon
the abilities of cricketers from other cities.
Mr. Clark thought the distance between the
cities would not prove an unsurmouutable
obstacle, as each of the local clubs might be
assessed for the expenses Of its own PLAYERS
receiving in return proportionate per cent
age of the gate receipts taken in this city,
Mr. Clark also favored the arousing OF
wider interest than that created bv the Hal
itax cup games.
William Brockie, of the Germantown, also
spoke n favor of the proposition, remarkirg
that Detroit might be included. lie thought
that Philadelphia should only be represented
by one team and that each club should be
responsible for the expenses of its own play
ers. Samuel Welsh third, of the same club,
thought that tine new scheme should be con-
sidered by all the active cricketers of the
city.
CAPTAIN WOOD FAvoRs IT.
A. NJ. Wood, the Belmont captain,
thought that the local championship COM
petition has for some time failed to satisfy
Philadelphia cricketers, and that the plan al
luded to would widen the field of competi-
tion. AT present the Halifax cup series led
club authorities to reserve their strongest
players for these games, resting satisfied to
place mediocre eleyens in :he field against
the srrong teams OF other cities He cited
the recent visit of the All-Massachusetts
team, which left this CITY with flying colors
whereas, before its coming insufficient in
terest mad been taken in its visi,, and teams
equal to its strength had not been provided.
The new scheme would make outside
matches of due Importance. In the
matter of covering the expenses o. the neces-
sary trips, he coincided with the view of
S1r. Clark. A. Z. Smith, the left-hsnded
trundler of the Belmont club, said: "The
proposed new league will undoubtedly
prove success. Being very similar to
county cricket in the old country, it should
create enthusiasm hitherto unknown here.
both among PLAYERS and spectators"
OTHER PROMINENT OPINIONS.
Newbold Etting, of the Merton, believed
that an association OF cities would be one of
the best things to further the interest of the
game IN this country tina: could possibly be
adopted. he believed that it would be
much better to have each city represented
by one team and that gate money should be
pooled.
f. Il. Bohlen, the winner of the Childs
Batting Cup, believed that if the plan could
be carried into effect 1t would give the game
a great impetus in the United States, while
the present time was well chosen for Its
adoption
Captain John P. Green, the President of
the Belmont Cricket Club, on having the
plan explained, remarked that the scheme
was a good one, quite practicable, and at
the same time move in the direction OF the
central club plan. He thought it would be
advisable TO invite both Detroit and Chicago
TO join the league.
Z. S. Fsrnum, the captain of the Merton
Club, and Murray Rush, its President, have
both spoken in favor OF the plan as outlined,
and 4. h. Harris, secretary of the PhIla-
delphia Club, also commeuds it as worthy oi
consideration.
From New York comes the excellent sup.
gestiOn that the games under such an asso-
citation should be PLAYED in ties. UHder
what is known as the Bagnall-Wilde system,
this would be eminently practica Bile; that is
to say, adding Detroit to the Association,
let it play Chicago in the preliminary round
Then the winner plays Pittsburg. In the
Eastern schedule Philadelphia plays Balti'
more. Boston plays New York, and the
winner of these ties meets the Western win.
ner for the championship.
McAuliffe Nav be Matched,