The morning call., 1891-03-05
THE BALL FIELD.
California Managers Denounced
in the Northwest.
Is Colonel Robinson Weakening ?-Home Play
ers Indulge in Preliminary Prac-
tice-L Lehman Signed.

There was a goodly sized gathering OF ball
players and cranks at Central Park yesterday
afternoon, to witness the new San francisco
team begin its preseason practice. All Oh hlan-
ager Harris men put In an appearance, Dut van
Zant and Catcher Clark were not provided win
uniforms and acted as spectators WINE lhelr
felIow-clubmen went through the first stage OF
tbe process of Numbering stiff muscles and
creaky Joints. The ground was rough ana the
men somewhat awkward from the winters lule-
ness so 1t would not be fair to pass CRITICISM OH
their field work. Practice will be resumed To-
day. Tomorrow the entire team, In charge OF
MIR. Harris, will leave for Fresno where they
will play the local team several games. Inc oan
Francisco manager says the Fresno CLUB mas
some strong material In Its ranks and will prob
ably walk away with the Frlscos In The opening
game as his men are not yet accustomed 10 play
together, besides being out OF condition.
IS THE COLONEL WEAKENING?
There have been no important developments
this week In the trouble between the California
and Pacific Northwest leagues over the players
reserved by the northern organization and signed
by the local managers. Harris and McCloSKey
nave determined TO retain the men they nave en-
gagged, but Robinson is said 10 be weakening.
Norris O'Neil was at the league office tuesday
and stated that he had written n. +. Young, Sec.
rotary OF the Board OF Control mqulring II
Pitcher Stevens and ShoItstop Phillips
VEST west people. lie intmated that if Mr..
Young reptile they were reserved players
Oakland would not attempt TO hold them.
Umpire" OF the Oakland tribune saIa i. iast
me that he is going to release some OF MS new
players in very short time. Inc Trip mo tne
interior has been postponed on account OF tn 10
bad weather. The new men we're expected 10
arrive tomorrow. but the programme mas beeh
changed and it is uncertain when all the mem
berS OF the team will come. The Colonel Is not
leIe1SiUk
PETE LoHMAN SIGNED.
Norris O'Nen stated Tuesday that Catcher
Mills would not be among the Colonels this year.
but IN his place had been signed Pete Lohlnan,
one of the back-stOps OF the Oaklands during
1890 IL appears Manager Robinson ana Lon
man have been dickerng all winter, and CON
tract was forwarded 10 the catcher three months
ago. An agreement could not be reached on Lhe
salary question rs LOhman'S terms were rathef
high. he signed a contract last week at the
CuOuePS fgur which gave him an advance
over last season.
THREATEN THE BLACKLIST.
81 Gunst, one of the Directors OF the Portland
(Oregon) team, WHO has been tn this city during
tile past month. yesterday received long dis
patch from The Pacific Northwest League oil
ctals. lie was instructed 10 make a thorough
inYeStg alton OF The signing OF reserved men ana
10 warn President None that If his organization
continued 10 tamper with northern players and
refused to reiinquish Van Zant, Ward, Stevens
aud others, the California League would be
DlscklisIed. IL would seem, Il ON lie telegram,
that Ihe Pacific Northwest people believe they
can have the California League placed on the
blacklist merely by requesting sucb action
Both sides of The controversy must be heard.
In tie event OF an adverse decision, IL Inc Cal
ifoInla managers refuse TO comply with Inc
directions of The board, then, and not TIL then,
can The punishment be Inflicted.
CALIFORNIA IIPUDENCE.
TIE northern papers are bltteI In their dsnun-
citation OF Messis. Harris aud MctiUskey. Inc
Portland Telegram last Saturday night said:
ha aft of M % "a Fran
cisco, Oakland and Sacramento clubs TO sign men
who on the reserve list OF the NorthW estern
clubs will EDDY result III conflict IN Whlch
the Northwest men VIII come out victorious both
leagues are operated under the rules OF the Ma
tional League which protects all clubs in such mat
tiers as these. The trick that is attempted by the
California men is dirty one, TO say the least, and
manager of the Portlands The Northwest man
ayers should not and will not submit to the lmpu-
dent demands OF Harris aud his associates,
and VIII compel them 70 understand
that the national agreement must be
adhered 10, or the dissatisfied league forced to
withdraw from rs benefits and protection. harris.
object is undoubtedly to break up the Northwest
League. However, he very correctly est,
mated the strength OF the Northwest League ana
that II 1t is not broken up by its players being
taken away the Pacific Coast championship will not
rest IN California at the close OF me coming season
we too strong to allow the tnsigninea
barking OF the California League to give US much
annoyance. The night VIII most aS5uredly result IN
an easy victory for the Northwest League.
VAN zANT CONFIDENT.
Van Zant stated yesterday tLat the Tacoma
Club did not have the shghtest claim on ms ser
vices. Before he signed with the team Ire teie'
graphed Manager Lucas that lie wanted II dis
Iincty understood he should not be reserved Tor
this year Lucas replied by wire conserving
TO the condition imposed. Van zant has written
TO Burlington for copies of the kilograms.
All The men signed by Manager MeCloskey.
except Works aud France, are now 10 oacra-
meBto, McGulrk and Sunday having arrived ms
week. Works aud France are now travelling TO-
ward the Capital City. The ground, at Snow
flake Park have been flooded and The Texas
Steers" will he forced 10 practice elsewhere.
nIcCloskey has decided to place Hutchinson al
third base aud play Frank Ward al second,
where lie is al home.
The friends OF Jim Mcdonald are advocating
his appointment as umpire on President None )
staff. Jim would prefer playing TO unplIlng, but
rendered him. lie IL a great faVoti!e. and has
been long enough in the business to make a good
man 10 superinIeud The games.