Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-31
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Opinions About Two Opposing Base
ball Teams in Pittsburg
Next Season.
THE AkALGAKATlOs SCHEME.
A Few Words About the Good Influences
Of Baseball Players Like
William A. Sunday.
OBJECTS OF TIE PROPOSED REGATTA.
Small Chances Of = Battle Between Dempsey and
Burke-Salyater's Feat


Burke-savators Feat
the present baseball season than we were
last Sunday, and / venture to say that
Thousands of good honest citizens will add:
Goodness speed the closing time" The
season has been remarkable or the absence
Of that hitherto important question: "Who
viii win the pennsnt?" Indeed, this ques-
ton has been 90 seldom asked that one is
at times led to think there is no pennsnt
race going on. However, the contests are
going on, although the public cares little or
nothing how matters end. Pittsburg has
two teams in these contests and neither team
is likely to add much glory to Pittsburg,
the truth is that each day during the past
week has prompted the question: What
excuse is there for the existence OF the Pitts
burg N. L. Club?" There may be some
hope TOR the other aggregation, but con-
lot of players under the control OF Director
O'Neil. The latter was quoted the other
day as saying that next season there would
be only one club in Pittsburg. I don't
know whether or not Mr.. o'Neil means that
his team will be the surviving one. but 1
really all to see how his team is going to
weather the storm that long. Creditors are
pressing the club with q tenacity that wolf
win cling to its prey, and If all accounts are
true, creditors can get precious little salts
faction from the magnates of the club. How
ever matters may turn out the fact of credi-
tors suing the club for debts cannot do other
than act very injuriously indeed on the
clubs iuture. But / confess that am un-
able to form an opinion as to whether or not
we will have one club or two clubs here next
season. Common sense would prompt us to
think there would be only one, but it is hard
to divine what baseball people will do. 1
venture one prediction, however. and that is
if there are two clubs here next year they
will fare worse than they have even done
this year. / would suggest that the parties
concerned make their minds up on the matter
as soon as possible.
Lots of DeniaIs.
The magnates of the Players League
have met and as q result of their deli5era-
tions everyone of them publicly denies that
they are going to combine with the Ameri-
can association. Curiously enough, how
ever, they all state that efforts will be made
to arrange a series of games at the close of
the championship season between Associa-
tion aud Players League teams. Ii this is
done the Association will be discarded by
the National League, and il that won't
mean a combination between the Associa-
fior nd pla To- I donSf
will. But National League magnate is
quoted as saying that he knows tor certain
that the American Association and the
Players League will amalgamate, and thai
the anna igamation will be recognized bv the
National League. This is what sus sgested
last week, anc at present see no better way
out OF the present difficulty. am still in
clined to think that huge plan of CON-
promise is being hatcbed, and trust that
no enemy of the national game will try to
foil the efforts being made.
Playing for Cash.
There is feature growing up in baseball
that no intelligent and ardent lover of the
game can well appreciate. refer to the
now common custom of novice clubs, or, as
some people call them, amateur clubs, play
ing for stake money. In and about Pitts
burg we cannot hear of a game between any
of our small aggregations, from the little
potatoes to the county demons, without be-
ing made aware that the game is for money.
Stakes vary In proportion to the wealth OF
the members of tine respective teams. Some
play or 80 cents and some Tor $50, but the
former is no better than the latter, and the
principle is just the same and SO is the inten-
tion. When the 50-cent players get richer
they will become $50 performers, aud proba-
bly, will play for a much larger stake.
condemn the whole thing, and what l am
about to say regarding it trust will not be
taken in any marsh spirit by those who avor
this new gambling feature. ] am inclined
to believe that not a young player who has
and is indulging in ball games for stake
money has any other idea about it than the
one which prompts him to believe be is do
ing what is best to popularize the game. A
common notion among young baseball play
ers is abroad. 1t is to the effect that il two
clubs put up stake to play ior the public is
led to believe that the game is ''Tor blood"
and the game will therefore receive better
patronage. No greater mistake could be
made. On the contrary the best friends of
the national game of the country will
have little or nothing to do with
such contests, and / contend that
every person who supported the gambling
system in baseball is doing his very best
toward demoralizing the games. A national
game should he as Tree as possible from prin-
ciples Of gambling as contending for sta Ike
money. To play a match for so much money
q side, as is being done at present, is sure
method Of introducing very questionable
methods into the game Young players
will grow up with very decided notions
favorable toward betting money on the re-
suit of any contest. / don't say that where
ever betting obtains that contests are cues
but do contend that betting when
indulged in by those who have charge of
the respective contests tends to lead the
Questionable methods. This surely means
that q national game should be Tree from
these tendencies. Baseball in America, like
cricket in England, has become as popular
as it is because of the absence of gambling
BY those who have charge OF it, We all
know how betting degraded the game Q few
yond reproach. The most pernicious tran
sacrions in ball games took place daily and
the game did not become worthy of national
hpule until it was purged OF these ruinous
features oi gambling. Those who love the
game and who want to see it sustain Its wide
world reputation should guard with Jealous
care all the prestige and popularity that
honorable dealing and anti-gambling lea
lures have won Tor it If the game, as
national game, cannot live except by con-
meeting gambling features with it, let it do
1t by all means.
%r
sunday's Retirement.
A few days ago very definite statement
was pu ublished TO the effect that W. A. Sum-
day has resolved to retire from the baseball
profession at the close of the season.