The morning call., 1891-02-26
A BASEBALL WAR.
Inc California League Defies Its
Northern Neighbor.
Local Managers Will Refuse To eivs TN Ra.
served Men = Sacramento Loses
Three Noted Players.

While the National League and the Amer
| lean Association will be engaged during the
next few months in the pleasant pastime of
| endeavoring to sever one another's iugulars
| it is probable that the California baseball
organization will be waging war with its
Coast neghbor, the Pacific Northwest
League. Rumblings of strife are already
heard, and within the near future hostllities
will be opened. The California League has
maintained an Indifferent attitude in regard
to the demands of the Oregon Washington
people, but matters are nearing crisis and
the local managers will soon openly pro-
claim defiance to the northern magnates.
1he trouble has been caused by Messrs.
Harris, Robinson and McCloskey signing
men who are on the reserve lists of the clubs
OF the Northwest League. The players in
controversy are Van Zant, who has been
signed for the home club, McGuirk, Huston,
Peoples and France signed for Sacramento,
and Ward, Mills. Stevens and Phillips
signed by Norris O'Nel for the Oakland
team.
WARD WAS SIGNED.
1t is not generally known that Ward has
been signed by Robinson, but his contract
is now in the possession of the Oakland
manager, and there is also in the express
office across the bay the advance money
given to Ward which was returned by the
player. but the Colonel refuses to touch it
and has so informed the noted second base
man. Thereby hangs tale.
When O'Neil was in the East he closed
negotiations with Ward, and after securing
his contract gave him certain sum of ad-
vance money. subsequently, O'Neil wrote
Ward that Robinson did not desire the
second baseman as the Colonel had learned
he was not a desirable man. Robinson
based his action in rejecting Ward on re-
ports he had heard in this city. Later,
Robinson learned that the reports were en-
tirely erroneous and was as anxious as ever
to have the Spokane infelder. Ward is at
present in Sacramento visiting his friend
Jack Huston.
THE PLAYERS STATEMENT.
In an interview with Manager McCloskey
Ward stated that he would start tomorrow
night for Spokane Falls. When informed
that Robinson intended to hold him despite
the fact of his being reserved in the north
ern club Ward said: Even if Robinson
won the case | would never have the heart
to play in Oakland after the innuendoes that
had been made against me. | am going to
Spokane, but will be there only short time.
met Manager Barnes at Chicago and he
said he will manage the Sioux City Club.
He wants me in his team and l will be
transferred from Spokane Falls to Sioux
City. l have not signed contract with
Spokane, but will dc SO when reach that
town"
When the above statement was made to
McCloSkey the latter Immediately wrote to
Robinson asking the Colonel TO waive all
claim to Ward. The Sacramento manager.
believed he could secure Ward for the cap
ital city, as the infielder would be willing to
play in the same team with Huston. Robin.
son, however, will refuse to part with the.
player. and is now trying to convince him
that he would be welcome addition to the
Oakland team.
The scramble for Ward, who led the
northern league in batting last season, out
lines the policy the California managers
viii pursue concerning the men they have
already signed from Oregon and Washing
! ton. McCloskey, since being informed that
/ McGuirk is on tie Pacific Northwest re-
serve list, has signed that player for first
base. 5hereby showing his teeth to Secretary
Rockwell, who last week warned local mag
mates not to Interfere with men held in re-
serve by Spokane, Tacoma and Seattle.
WILL FIGHT IT OUT.
Harris said yesterday, Il intend to play
Van Zant in my team, and the other MAN.
ayers will not give up their northern men.
| know McCloskey will not relinquish
Huston, Peoples, France and McGurk, as
he told me he would hold them, despite
Secretary ROckwelPs protest Ii the Pacific
Northwest League desires 10 contest our
actions we will carry the matter before the
National Board of Control If that body
decides against Us we will give up the men,
but not until then. However, if the case
does ever go up before the Board of Con-
troll, thmk decision Will be rendered in
favor OF the California League. The men
in dispute last year were paid high salaries,
ana at the termination of The season were
reserved. Now their former managers are
attempting to force them to play for S1OO a
sum much less than they received in $780,
L do not see how man can be compelled,
even though he be reserved, TO play at a
salary lower tnan the amount he was paid
in the preceding year."
Manager Robinson, who was present at
the interview with Mr.. Harris. concurred
in the views of the local man and added,
1--WE Will tight 1t out to the end.
SO 1t would seem that there will be lively
times in baseball during the next few
months, and the enthusiasts will be fur
nIShed plenty OF material Tor gossip.
sACRAMENTo'S Loss.
1t has leaked out that Manager MeClos-
key Will not have in his team three of the
men with whom he has been negotiating.
He has not been able to sign Reeder for
third base. and the Toledo management re-
fuses to allow center fielder Arthur Sunday
10 join the ranks OF the Senators. 1t is also
learned, and the news comes from a reliable
source, that out fielder Works Will not play
in the Sacramento team unless he is re-
leased from reservation by the Omaha club.
Several items have been published that
Works was freed by Omaha, but they were
without foundation. He is still on the Ne
braska clubs reserve list and cannot get his
release. His loss to Sacramento will be Sc
we're. as he is one of the hardest hitters in
the United States.
Harris received letter from third base
man Van Zant yesterday stating that the
player and his wife and child had started
from Indiana for this city.
During the recent heavy storm nearly 800
feet of the fence inelosing the Oakland base
ball grounds was blown down.
The Oakland Tribune last night published
the biography of Joe Cantillion, and in
doing so made an announcement that will
surprise a majority of ball patrons. Can
tillon's true name is Antonio Ltvigerie. He
is a native of Italy. He assumed his stage"
name when entering the professional ball
field.