The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-21
ON THE DIAMOND.
Rem Milford, Jr., Has His Say
About Some Things.
THE GREAT FOLLY OF FIGHTING.
Review of the Situation in the American
AsSociation-COnditio of the Minor
Associations-The Unique Contest for

Association-Conditi of the Minor
Associations-The Unique Contest fOS
the Pennant OF the National League.
There are two distinct angles from which
the crank can study baseball, but only one
has charms for him Yankee Doodles
sport has assumed the Importance of a
great business, but the simon pure enthu-
siast does not care a straw for the financial
side of the game, and yet the two must
needs be closely allied. The more exciting
the race and the hotter the conflicts be-
tween rivals for place, the greater the gate"
and the opportunities to pay the liberal sal
aries enjoyed by the pets of the diamond
There have been clouds gathering on the
baseball horizon prefacing a threatened
storm which will draw attention 70 the
props" of the game.
No plans will ever be devised which will
enable a ten-thOusand-dollar town to sup
port a twenty-thousand-do team with
out suffering the pangs Of hunger on the
1st and 18th of each month. In no other
business IS the percentage Of risk so great
as investments in baseball. Not cam
paign closes which does not witness the
digging or few more graves in the ma
tional games cemetery. In their mad
PUSHES to gain talent with the one idea Of
winning that much coveted pennant bust
hess principles are thrown to the winds
and everything save the commendable leap
for glory is forgotten. Only one club in
eight can hope to capture the flag. Then re-
action follows disappointment. Books with
a surplus Of entries on the debit side are
balanced, and finally few more recruits
join the parade of magnates who wear
green collars at the seances of Experience
lodge, Ancient Order of Has Beens. 1t
costs money to take all the degrees.
Although the season is but half over,
there have been signs of distress in two of
the major organizations, and several of the
smaller state leagues have been swallowed
up. St Paul was the first to give evidences
of dissolution in the Western association,
but Duluth took the club, and the threat
ened disruption of the circuit was averted
Now comes the story from Omaha, where
Uncle Dick Mccormick sunk $1,000 and
then drew in his sign as a philanthropist
when be found there were few people who
would share with him the glory of carry
ing a team that could win games, but
wanting in an ability TO draw enough peo-
pie to keep the bank account fat on salary
days.
A companion piece to this tale of woe
was the recital of Louisville's misfortunes.
That member of the Associations family
has been in hard lines ever since 1888, and
even if there were no strained relations be-
tween National league and American, the
latter would have trouble enough on hand.
If out of the misfortunes of the hour peace
comes, then these cited ills may be deemed
blessings in disguise. The American asso-
oil, Il J.. ~ Il, s
tional agreement, but it will be puny life
unsatisfactory and of no profit.
The ruin of the American association
would be a calamity, but to remain with
hands uplifted ready TO strike organized
baseball is a mistake that might bring
about such an ever-to-be-deplored event
Under one flag would come the old rivalry,
the heated battles for the worlds cham
pionship banner in the fall and the spring
and autumn engagements of League and
Association clubs. Surely there is mu-
tual benefit to be derived from peace, and
peace the public demands. There is but
one barrier, and thus far it has proved a
weight about the necks of seven Associa-
ton clubs, dragging them down toward
bankruptcy. Cincinnati has proved such
a costly toy TO the Association that one
special meeting has already been held to
face the crisis.
History but repeats itself Both the
Union association and Players league
tried to exist outside the lines of a national
agreement. Both failed. The American
association can hope for no other fate 1t
is singular how passion will lead magnates
blindly on to destruction. For the sake of
Cincinnati alone the war of 1891 was de-
clared, and the picture the Association has
20 contemplate is team drawing fewer
people at a quarter tariff than the Leaguers
are doing at half dollar and with a clubin
last place. The League has tied up $4,000
for the sake of their foothoid in Cincinnati,
and it is folly TO think that they will listen
toterms Of compromise which would dictate
the evacuation of that city. 1t was folly
to bring about a hand-to-hand conflict
after the bitter experiences of last year,
and it would be a greater folly to continue
the strife on those lines.
What a grand race that is in the League
New York and Chicago have been engaged
In moving in and out of first place for sew
eral weeks, and Boston is almost near
enough to take the front parlOr. Never in
the history of the pioneer body has there
been such a struggle. Eight clubs punched
within 200 points Is quite a record.
Several new faces have been added to
the League directory. Pittsburg has Sc
cured Shugart and Cincinnati J. D. Cur
It's from the Western association. The re-
lease of both were acquired by purchase,
and these clubs Will have new cards on
their next eastern trip. Curtis falls heir
to the shoes of Lefty" Mari, who was
not released so much on account of his
falling of in batting, but because he was
not quick enough TO see a point on the
lines.
Philadelphia's pitching corps has been
increased by the addition of a Delaware
co. college bOy-Sayler-but he cannot be
termed anything more than an expert
menJ. Chicago expects to introduce a
youthful twirler named Nicou an Illinois
Iowa league pickup, on their coming tour.
The young blOods are not TO be despised
this year. The veterans among the Giants,
of course, have batted out many victory,
but IN twenty of the first thirty-nine /
games won by New York, Amos Rusie was /
In the box and Jack SharOtt ofIiciated in
four others. The League season Is but /
half over, and predictions in the face Of |
s&oh a punched tight are foolish.
REN MILFORD, JR
Being Cured by a Tricycle..
The latest remarkable crre rnrOrts6 in /