, 1890-08-12

ing State of AnaIn-Hs Discusses the
Subject of Two CIrcuits-Ths Baseball
Outlook Is a Very Dismal One.
The Players league has made an indi-
rect offer of compromise and the National
league has indirectly r~epudisted 1t. One
reason for the promptness with which the
proposition was discarded was because the
only concession offered was a change Of
names by the Players league 1 hope a
compromise measure can be agreed upon,
because the game and all concerned with
1t will be benefited; but IL must be a com
promise having a different basis from that
offered in the proposition recently sub
mitted to the National league. There is
still another reason for the apparently
absolute refusal OF the latter to compro-
mise, and hat is a belief on Its part that
the successful operation Of two first class
leagues on the present lines Is impossible.
The National league, however, Is not so
sure Of this that 1t would refuse to confer
with its opponents in seeking a way to end
the war. Nor could 1t afford to refuse a
conference.
I'VE have not refused to compromise"
said a prominent league man to me. NO
proposition has been made to US directly
by the Players league. II they ask us to
meet a committee fer the purpose of a
settlement of the war 1 do not think, or
indeed do / see how. the league could re-
fuse. 1t the same time I do not hin any
agreement could be reached"
1t Is admitted by most authorities that
the only compromise that could DO OF any
definite value in restoring the public In
forest in n national championship to the
vogue of 1880 Is one that has for its basis
the REIMBURSEMENT of certain territory by
both organizations SO as to reduce the
.NNs al - . - II
nict OF clubs, and also to reduce local
partisanship to the minimum figure. And
1t is this fact that would render the work
of a conference committee such a difficult
and almost impossible task.
In a recent article on this subject / sug-
gested two circuits hat might enable both
leagues to do a profitable business and re-
store the game in a measure to the univer-
sal favorit enjoyed from 1888 to 1889, which
the present dissensions have temporarily
abated. This is the division:
National League-Brookiyn, Phiiadel-
phia, New York, Boston, Baltimore, Chi
cago, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Players Ieague-Buffalo, New York,
Boston. Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit,
P~ittsburg, with Louisville, st. Louis or
Columbus to fill up.
These circuits are not the best by any
means, but II seems to me that they are
the most available, inasmuch as there
might be some possibility OF such an ar
rangement. One objection would Ibe that
It would place two club in New York and
three in Philadelphia, and an
other that 1t would interfere with the
American Associations circuit.
Candidly i do not believe that New York
city, large as 1t is, will ever support two
first class clubs satisfactorily, mainly be-
cause OF the intense feeling of local pride
existing there. Two may possibly worry
along II they hnve different names. Neither
do / believe that Phiadelphia will support
three clubs SO that all hands will make n
profit. A consideration of all the facts
and the difficulties attendant upon n solu-
ton Of the problem naturally leads one to
the belief that no compromise can be
reached. Still an effort should be made.
and the Players lessne would lose very
little in public estimation by asking point
for a conference.
President Byrne, of the Brooklyn club,
ridicules n compromise. President Rob
ison, of the Cleveland club, is quite as dc
clded as Mr.. Byrne.
Provided no compromise can be reached.
what them
Well, the outlook SO far as / eau see Into
the future of baseball Is dismal enough.
The result of this fight has been Just what
a Phtdtttta ~ WOuid ". flnhUclAlly
for both leagues, bad for the
players and later bad for high salaries,
and hurtful to the game and public inter
est In 1t. To continue tho fight r.eans
these things in greater degree, and posi-
bly, the injury to professional baseball may
be so great as to put IL back to the condi-
ton it was when rescued by the National
league In 1s76I7T. It Is true that the
fight, II continued, will not be so direct In
1891, for there will be no conflicting dates,
but there may. and probably will, be other
things far more injurious to public esti-
nation.
1t is greatly to the credit OF the com
batants that there has SO far been no hip
podroming and no real suspicion of II In
the public mind. The magnates, and by
this term / mean the capitalists and man
ayers of o sides, must bear in mind that
once let such a suspicion take firm root in
the public mind and It could be easily
kindled too; the actual absence of the thing
itself would not save the gate. Hippodrom,
ing or crookedness would ruin professional
baseball. 1t IL not generally believed per
haps how bad an influence was exerted on
the public attendance at games by the Pc
culiar actions Of certain players and man
ayers last season.
Now whit VIII a continuance of the war
leadbto, Neither side will respect oontracts
or reserve. And / do not belisve that the
brotherhood contract will be carried into
court. Players will be found on both sides
who will be persuaded to jump to the other. |
IT'S true that in some cases the Topping
can be done gracefully, especially whore
contracts have expired, but what will be
It's effect on the public, Surely not one
that will inure to the benefit or aggran-
dizement of professional baseball. Already
there are indications OF Topping. The man
ayers of clubs should consider well before
they inaugurate the system, and II they
find it absolutely necessary only men whose
contracts have expired should be taken.
'Twould be better to take none at all. 1t
seems to me that no club which takes In
the loppers, or the fioppers themselves,
likely to benefit by the deal where It is
a clean case of contract jumping.
WHAT IS sAID.
That in Nichols, Getzein and Clarkson
the Boston club has a brio of pitchers likely |
to IL the pennant.
That Mike Kelly Is beginning to cover
short field like n veteran.
That Danny Richardson's recent work in
the same position has equaled the best
ever lone by John Ward.
That the success of the Philadelphia
Leaguers with only one really reliable
pitcher has astonished the country.
W. 1. HARMS.
Remarkable
Mrs. Michael Curtain. Plainfeld, Ill,
the statement that she caught