Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-21

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.2S--l ceived a severe blow
from which many men who were competent
to judge predicted it would not recover for
| years. These forecasts have been decidedly
gloomy and not we'll founded, as the signs
at present clearly indicate. No sooner had
the Players and the National League set
tied their grievances and concluded the cut
throat policy carried on last season than
signs of reviving interest became evident
everywhere and efforts to resurrtct leagues
that had perished were made.
The organizations that have already started
the ball in the pennant campaign have done
so under most auspicious circumstances not
| withstanding adverse weather. This is not
| ably the case of the American and Western
Associations, and this is one of the many
reasons why the National League, the oldest
and foremost of all base ball organizations
| in the field, looks forward to a most success
full year. The eight clubs that form the
! National League open their campaign on
Wednesday next in New York, Philadel-
phia, Pittsburg and Cleveland, and from
that date until October there will be no end
of base ball.
The New York Club, says the Telegram of
that city, has left nothing undone that will
tend to make the event memorable one in
base ball history. Invitations have also
been sent to all the prominent clergymen,
lawyers, artists, bankers and brokers. In
ali. from 10000 to Is, 900 persons are ex-
pected to be present at the opening game.
All the Teams Strengthened.
In other cities great demonstration will
De made 1t is estimated that 30, 900 persons
will be present at these four contests. If
this figure is reached it will from the begin
ming prove that there has been general re-
vival of interest in the game. Not one
team in the League is as weak as last sea-
son. Pittsburg and Cleveland have re-
ceived the greatest attention through the
reinforcement of new players. Pittsburg
thinks it has pennant winning team, but
the Cleveland men, who have had them for
opponents in the South, do not anticipate
defeat from the Pennsylvania world beaters.
In the East, New York, Brooklyn and
Boston each has its supporters, who are pos
tive that the pennant will be won by their
favorite club. When the make up of these
clubs with that of Philadelphia is taken
into consideration, it certainly looks as
though the East had strong teams. although
Chicago, Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Cleye- !
land may land when the honors are dis |
tributed.
In the coming struggle more than one !
element must be taken into consideration. !
The strength of the individual members of
a team does not always win the pennant;
neither does good management alone, nor
team work without strong individual play
ers. The combination of all these qualities
is rarely found in one club.
In this campaign steady team work will |
cut very conspicuous figure The two main
principles of team work are absolute obedi |
ence to the orders of the captain and a |
strict attention to the motto, "All Tor one |
and one for ALL" Individual preferences |
must often be sacrificed for the sake of a
possible chance of victory.
A Glance at the Managers.
For getting team work out of men, Anson
has always been famous but he never mad |
such an array Of talent to fight against as
this season. Tebeau, Nash and Ward will
be the new rivals OF the Chicago captain.
In the past Ewing, Hanlon, Latham and
Allen have been at the head of rival teams,
and the big Swede with inferior players
held his own admirably.
1ucEC Will UC LulCS tcduS luulfluuHllE |
stronger than Chicago, but there will be
none that can vie with it Tor discipline and
united effort, unless possibly it be the
Brooklyn team. Wards methods are not
unlike Anson's in many respects. He makes
his men practice great deal, but he does
his most effective work during the progress
of the game. He encourages his men all
the time, and yet ls considered to be some
thing of a martinez. Ward believes in
touching the pocket to sustain discipline,
and yet always gives the offending player a
chance before fniug him, unless it be
flagrant case where strong measures are
necessary. Wards entire team last season
had the greatest respect and admiration for
bin, and was a very happy family.
Ewing 3 methods are decidedly different
from those of Anson and Ward. He COM
mands more respect from the players off the
field than either of the other men and insists
upon obedience to orders while on it. He
is not the discipliuarian that Anson and
Ward are, and too frequently he allows his
good nature to interfere with business
Ewing has great tact for getting over diff
culties with his men without producing any
bitter alter effects This will stand him well
in hand this year, as with the men at his dis
posal and perfect harmony among them he
ought to keep the flag he won in 1889 here.
New Yorl's Strong Aggregation.
Such strong team never was gathered to-
yether in New York. Not only has the local |
got a great regular team, but
its array of substitutes was never better.
Every position will be just as strong with a
substitute in it US when filled by the regular
man. Here are the players: keefe, Welch, |
Rusie, Ewing, Clark, Buckley, Connor,
Denny, O'Rourke, Tiernan,
Gore, Glasscock.
John Ward has his eyes not only centered
on his Brooklyn team, but he intends to
make it exceedingly warm tor the New
Yorks. Ii Ward could do so well with the
team he had last year. how much better will
he be able TO keep his end up with nine
made up of frst-class players. 1t was
Wards individuality that counted last sea-
son, and now that be is surrounded with
much superior material, local cranks are
justified in believing that he will make as
good u fight as any of his rivals.
The Brooklyn Clubs new manager will
infuse into the team {, ,gree of lie and vim
which has been painfully lacking hereto
fore. While he may not be quite as quick
and sure at picking up ball and throwing
it as Smith, the released shortstop, he Is so
far ahead OF him in all other respects that
there is really no room for comparison. In
batting. base running. coaching and head
work he will lead his men in a manner that
will soon make everybody feel that he is
The right man for the position.
Ward, too, has not had to organize the
Brooklyn team as be did the Players CLUB
, war Most nf the Dlavere alrpauv !