Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-25

] ",
II a truth hath shone upon thee,
| Captive of the worlds opinion;
| Free to speak and yet slave.
Now inst the kind of slaves referred to arc
| the baseball magnates in the present instance
| For fear of few irresponsible and clap-traI
| clamorers they hesitate to do that which truth
| and sound business principles point out as the
| very best thing that can be done. For the life
| of me have ever been unable to see wherein
| there is any cowardice in following the prompt
ings OF truth or in doing what is right
About Consolidation.
OF course, 1 don't expect that we will see any
thing like consolidation of the National and
Players Leagues for the reason that there is
too much cowardice among the magnates to
even venture a public suggestion on the mat
ter That is one reason, and potent one. But
there is another viz. the cherished desire OF
each League to kill the other, body and soul en-.
tirely The National League people look upon
their rivals as usurpers; nothing more nor less
than pure, unadulterated usurpers; something
like the old-time freebooters. This thought,
right or wrong, will certainly WELD great in
fuence toward preventing any reconciliation
whatever on the part OF the old Leaguers.
Probably, Samson-llke, they would be more
willing to die with their enemies than share
with them in any celebrations. am persuaded
that this sentiment will prevail SO strongly that
nothing like a consolidation will ever take
place. This being SO, to me II seems
and cons of consolidation. But there
is feature that is within my legitimate
province. and that refers to the public. In this
baseball fight to finish, what respect is being
paid to the public by the contestants? The sole
object of the contending parties is to kill each
other as parties, and that being the case fail
to see that the desires OF the public, as far as
good ball playing is concerneo, are being at
year have all been split up, and there is now
general scramble after the publlc's dollars, just
like q crowd of urchins tumollng over the top
Of each other after the pennies thrown out by
a generous man. That, unfortunately. is the
state of affairs at present Publlc and every
thing else ignored in the efforts of the
graspers to trample rough sno9 over one an
other. On this point let me ado few words
from an editorial which appeared In the New
York Sun the other day.
fss
Some Strong Words.
The Sun says: The American public is long
suffering and broad-hearted institution. It is
full of sport, yet it would even endure an in
jury to the most glorious form of 1t, il in any
way it would help the general welfare. But it
despises humbug. and it hates to have its feel
ings played upon for any other purposes than
those openly offered for its sympathy Any de-
creased interest in the national game is due to
League,
Whether their bid for control of professional
baseball was just Or otherwise the new League
must bear the responsibility of having robbed
the game of its supreme magnet of attraction,
national championship; for, SO long
as both they and their rivals live
Tor rivalry, there can be champion
ship which can be regarded as final. But to
these two great baseball associations
IN their desire or plan to kill off each other as
the Ward party would have the publicsthink is
a worse delusIon than ever affected the eye of
stricken-out batter. There is a victim marked
for slaughter on either side. and it Is what the
Players League spokesman here terms fair
business rivalry" These baseball
leagues are the most highly perfected trusts in
this great trust country, the Players League,
perhaps, being rather more complete in details
though we suppose that there is really no SUBJ
stantIal difference between them. Not only are
they bound together in an offensive and de.
fensiye' alliance as regards employees, but any
member of the trust is to receive assistance in
money from the others if, through its individ-
ual weakness. the circle is in danger of break
ing. At present they are both i'll full blast, with
full companies of players with high salaries.
But that is temporary. One must break, or at
least bend to the other.
BruueII's Admonitions.
One Of the good things done by Secretary
Brunel, of the Players League, during the
week is the admonitions sent out regarding the
slowness Of some games and the treatment of
1mpires Some time ago / drew attention to
he WEAKNESS consequent on the long and
lowly played games 1t think it was a game
between Pittsburg and Cleveland. at Exposi-
ion Park that prompted my remarks on the mat
er. Since then there have been several games
n which players have become quite devoid
# all activity and have allowed the proceed
ngs to drag on until the spectators have be-
20 home. This is contrary to the spirit of base
,all. Games must be played with a dash that
Keeps everybody on the lookout, and the nearer
he national game gets TO cricket in .slowness
If motion, in the same proportion will it lose
is hold on the American public. But the most
important part OF Mr.. Bruneifs admonitions is
hat relating to the treatment of umpres
This is a very important feature, and the ad-
rice given on the matter is very timely, indeed.
This early in the season there has been much |
delay and considerable bad
feeling generated by useless kicking"
lgainst decisions of umpires. We
1ave had some good samples in
profess to be a friend of the um-
Dire. My sympathies go out to him because of |
he numerous unreasonable objections PLAYERS |
nave made against him. There are many |
players, and CO Id name them, who really be- |
ieve that they are in duty bound to raise OBJ |
ection to almost every decision that an umpire |
makes against their side These players |
imagine that in making hostile demonstrations |
anne, because of the responsive yells of appro-
"a ion from some very thoughtless and unfair |
minded spectators. A player who is a constant
kicker in the respect have named is no or
lament to the game; besides, his objections,
.ocd or bad, are worthless because of their |
By all means umpires should keep
n eye on these players and fine them on every
occasion and the fines should be
deducted from thor salaries In the ajority
# cases the umpire gets into GIsrepute with
he spectators entirely through the designed
concentrations OF players. Unfortunately at
very ball game there are many spectators
Who on all occasions back up the objections of
he players rather tnau give the umpire the
'enetit of any doubt. Players know this, and
hey pander to that element because, 1 am
orry TO say, a fellow-feeling of rowdyism and
Infairness makes them wondrous kind. lido
ot for one momeRt-claim that umpires are
lways right in their Judgment; but do claim
hat they have honesty of purpose on their
ide. As a rule an umpire has no party or side
o serve, and as a rule he is in better posi-
ion to judge a point than any of the onlookers.
+ these facts were borne in mind there would
e less unpeasantness during games But
bove all umDires should mark the players |
ave above referred to. When an umpire has
no use whatever in stopping the game to
rgue the point, as the decision cannot be re-
ersed.
Bowen and Myer.
AS rule cyclones are very bad things to en-
ounter. Some of them cannot be stopped by
ny agency, and they carry all before them.
he ''Streator Cyclone" known as Billy Myer,
owever, Is not of the irresistible kind All the
ind was effectually battered out of that par
cular Cyclone on Thursday night at New Or
,ans by a mundane unit known among pugilists
$ Andy Bowen. 1t is therefore only fair to
peak of Mr. Bowen as Tornado" Bowen after
is achievement of knocking the Cyclone to
nithereens. Well doubtless many people