Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-15
REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Two Aspects of A. G. Spalding's Re-
fusal 10 Act as Chairman of
the Board of Control.
TIE AFFAIRS OF THE LOCAL CLUB.
Prospects Of Securing Out.Fielder FOgarty,
Two More Pitchers aud q Good
Man for Third Base.
RITESIHGONS REPLY TO jim HALL.
a GOOd ouacok fer Foot RsOsu and Two ProbahI,
home Events Of Interest

4 Good ouucok fer Foot RsSea and Two Prebahl,
Rome Events Of Interest
Baseball has been the leading feature in
the sporting world this week, not SO much
because of what has been done as because of
what is expected to be done. TIL great
machinery has been setin motion; that piece
Of compact machinery known as the Board
of Control. 1t has commenced business ex-
tremely well, but we must wait and see
more of its operations before we can judge
of its wisdom and utility. Look at this
board how we will, we all must admit that
it is a very great venture. No doubt many
of US would be surprised when we learned
that A. G. Spalding emphsticslly declined
to accept the craftsmanship of the new
board. In one sense it Is much
TO be regretted that Mr.. Spald-
ing declined the honor. By doing
so the highest baseball tribunal in the land
is deprived of the direct wisdom and coun-
sci OF one of the ablest baseball advisers the
world has ever seen. On this score Mr..
S~palding's refusal to act is to be lamented.
ut there is another feature. Had Mr..
Spalding accepted the honor there would
have been two National League representa-
tives on the board, and this fact would not
have had a very ~sslutary effect on baseball
patrons generally. L an not going to in
sinuate that Messrs. Spalding and Rogers
would have defended the claims Of the
League whether they were right or
wrong; not at all. What I do claim
is that the fact of two Leagu, representatives
being on the beard would tend TO prejudice
many people against all decision: in favor of
the League. AS a matter OF policy Mr.. Spald-
ing has acted very wisely in declining the offer.
The chairman of the board may make friends
by his decisions but he is sure TO make enemies
no matter how correct may be his judgmen.
Taking everything into consideration the
board has done well to adopt a plan by which
the chalrnanship shall be held in turn by the
members Of the board.
SE
Players and the Board.
The National Board. 1 think, will find itself
greatly disappointed in one thing. 1t will not
have the players at Its disposal that was antici-
psted. When this far-reaching board was first
talked of everybody was convinced that there
would be scores of irst-class players not wanted
by the League and Association. and that their
names would be forwarded to the board and
IldL LDe latter NOulO assign them 10 Clues IQdL |
needed strengthening. In other words the
great and expected change was TO knock on the
bead the sales system. But baseball magnates
are verv curious people. They preach the finest |
sentiments Of charity and generosity and then
act in the most selfish way. As a result there |
has scarcely a name Of 4 PLAYER been sent TO the |
board who Is of any account whatever. Clubs
have reserved as Tar as "A aen. and this shows
at once how empty and meaningless the
new plan of distributing players
is Let nobody dream that good
nothing. There may be an exception now
sndthen, but most certainly VIII the money
have to be pus up for the vast majority of good
men. As long as this system operates il should |
be clearly understood by everybody concerned. I
There should be no false impression concern |
ing il. have always believed that the ''sales
system" is Of great benefit to the ball player.
no matter what other evils may be connected
with il. but whether it be good. bad or indiffer-
ent. if il exists, let the fact be clearly known to
everybody SO as to know what may be ex-
pected.
Local Club Affairs.
AT present writing. Saturday evening, 1 do
not know what the Board of Control has done
with the Bierbauer and Mack cases. These
cases are of the very greatest importance to the |
local club, as the players in question are two of
the best in the country. If Pittsburg is allowed
10 retain them l am of opinion that we will
have the best team here this year that has ever
bcGu III IlNAsDuEEs MI lOD8 dRO IL seemed |
that We were only going to get a very moderate
lot, but with the addition of Mack. Bierbauer
aud Fogarty the club has quite another CON-
pleXion. Each Ran named is a power in his
respective position, and this makes all the diff
ference in the world. Andit is probable shat
Mulvey will also be allowed TO play third base
here. He is sure TO come If certain deals come
S out a. Mn,v right l the am bs aot going to say
In the country nor is he among the
best. There are other players preferable
TO Mulvey for the position. buE they are not
available. In the meantime, IL would seem well
FOR the local magnates to retain Roat and see
what there is in that young rustic or Young
phenomenal farmer, ] hear great things about |
him. 1t would be wise to keep him, and he !
might be good enough to allow the club to dis |
pense with any other third baseman that may
have been signed. 1t seems to me about GER
tain that Fo9aity viii play here. read the let
ter forwarded TO him. and while 1 am not at
liberty TO recite its details, 1 Can say that
it vas a very generous and genrlemanly
the money offered. Well, then, all the
players we need are at most TWO pitchers, i
OF hrSt-elass rank, and q third haseman. If
these could be secured We would certainly nave
a good team in Pittsburg, and Messrs. O'Neiii |
and RanloG tell me that the PLAYERS named 1
will be forthcoming. Before leaving for Chi
c2co Mr.. or ell assured me that he had one of
=dr best pitchers in the League almost signed.
that is. lie was sure of getting that pi; cher as
soon rs the present meeting of the Board of
Control was ore=. trust that everything will
come out as Messrs. 0'Seill and Hanlun antic- |
ipAte. Bat whatever may lie the result we can |
not but say that no two men could have worked |
harder than President O'Neill and Manager |
Hanlon have done. They have, indeed, been
remarkably busy, and IL earnestness and energy |
can bring aDuut success these two officials will
be very successful. indeed.
Just a Few minutes after l had written the
above I am informed that Pirtsburg is to have
both Bierbauer aad Mack. This decision fully
bears out all tRatI have previously written on
the matter. The moral claim referred to BY
the board is somewhat amusing. Pittsburg
ought to rejoice at the very pleasing decision.
as 1t gives US two payers VINO are stars in the
business.
Foot Racing Prospects.
There are many indications that would lead
us to believe that sprInting and foot racing
generally will be considerably brisker in and
about Pittsburg during this year than it has
been for a very long time. OF course these In
d:cations may not lead to the results 1 name,
but most certainly such indications exist I
have just used the expression .'sprinting and
foot racing generally" 1 do this because
sprlnsing is only part of fooE racing. 1 am
aware now the word seems to be misunder-
stood, and how il is used indiscrlminately in 4
reference TO all Kinds of foot runners l have |
on previous occasions dealt with this matter, |
but 1 wish it to be distinctly understood that |
khort-dlSt2nce runners. 1t is absurd to the |
highest degree to speak of a mile race as a
sprint race, and yet a mile contest is frequently
spoken Of as such by the very wise young men
who now and then write about foot racing and
kindred branches OF sports. Well, as to
sbe prospects of foot racing in West
ern Pennsylvania during this year.
the events of the week have led me to believe
that we may expect two very sensational races
in this CITY before many weeks are over. One
4 q -ann haFuuan Dnrnr D-f1d- - r. I Il