The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-28
BASEBALL MATTERS.
Prospect of Trouble Between Nc
Cl0skey and Robinson.
Important Dispatch From Ex-Manager Lucas
Concerning Third Baseman Van Zant.
San jose Grounds

It now seems that the California Baseball
League in addition to its trouble with the
Pacific Northwest League will enjoy pass
age-at-arms in its own circle.
John j. McCloskey. the new manager of
the Sacramento team, who brought with
him from Texas the reputation of being
hustler" and who is rapidly earning that
name in California, has thrown the gauntlet
to Colonel Robinson, the Oakland magnate
Thursday afternoon McCloskey signed
Frank Ward to play third base for the
Capital City team.
As announced in Thursdays CALL, Ward
is player reserved by the Spokane Falls
He was signed by Norris O'Neil while the
latter was East, and was subsequently i'll
formed by Robinson that he was not wanted
in the Oakland team. The Colonel later
reconsidered his action and sought to re-
cover Ward. The latter very forcibly ex-
pressed himself when asked a second time
to play under O'Neil, claiming he had been
released, and McClOskey wrote to Oakland
asking the manager of that place to waive
his claims on the ball-tosser. Robinson re-
fused and the Sacramento manager signed
Ward without the ColonePs consent.
The player Is now claimed by three clubs
namely, Spokane Falls, Oakland and Sac
ramentO, and has signed contracts with the
two California teams. RObinson's next
move Will be watched with interest. The
eagerness to secure Ward is due to the fact
that he led the Texas ana Pacific North
west leagues in batting, with high per-
centages. 1t is said lie is one of the finest
hunters " IN the baseball business, and
his superior speed enables him TO reach
first base like a flash. He is also daring
base-runner and cunning coacher. Man.
ager Harris. who has seen him on the fold,
says Ward is a ball-payer "who tries to
win and works like Trojan for his team"
NEW CATCHER.
Charles Hoover. who caught for the
Kansas City club last year, has been signed
as one of the catchers of the Sacramento
club, says the Bee. Armstrong will be
displaced by this addition to the Senators.
Hoover is now in Sacramento. 1t is under
stood that Works will be with McCloskey's
team after all, as his release from the Omaha
club has been promulgated by n. +. Young,
the Secretary OF the Board OF Control.
VAN ZANT OBJECTED TO RESERVATION.
Manager Harris of the home team last
night received telegraphic message from
w. H. Lucas, the manager of last years
Tacoma team, that made his heart .throb
with jov. When the dispute over the serv-
ices OF Third Baseman Van Zant first arose,
Harris wrote to Lucas requesting iDforma-
ton about the players alleged reservation
by the northern club. Harris anticipated a
truthful reply, as Lucas is no longer man
ager Of the Tacoma aggregation aud has
nothing at stake in regard to the disposition
of Van Zant The answering dispatch was
as follows:
CADoTTE (Wis.), Feb. Of, S91.
H. Harris. Manager Of the San Francisco
Baseball Club: When Van Zant signed i Ia
coma contract last August he refused TO be re
served. See letter. w. Ii. LUCAS.
The local manager expects to receive the
full particulars OF Van ZanPS case when
Lucas letter comes TO hand. The acknowl-
edgement of the ex-Northern magnate
81
light and it would appear that the home team
may yet secure undisputed title to the bril-
liant third baseman and heavy batsman. II
Van Zant signed with Tacoma on the cOndi-
ton that the club should not have the privi-
lrge of reserving him. then the Pacific
Northwest League has not the slightest claim
upon him.
TIE Players LETTER.
Harris yesterday evening also received
the following letter from Van Zant:
RICHMOND, Ind, Feb. %, 1891.
Mr. II. Hdrris-DEAR SIR: Your letter, 10
hand this morning, and will say ic regard 10
Tacoma that do not think Tacoma has any hold
d me, and the club owners should be ashamed
Iaaf themselves while trying to claim NE. l wrote
to Tacoma three mouths ago or more In regard
to next season and received letter from the
management stating that they had cut down their
salary list, and could not pay me what L received
last summer They offered me figure way be-
low the ono received last season and OF course
expenses, and wrote them 10 that effect, ana have
4
think am at liberty TO go where please. VIII
play ball in San Francisco tlis season or not
play ball anywhere. do not see why have not
The tight TO sign with the California League
as well as other Northern Pacific players
who, II Is Claimed, are under reservation. /
think II the truth was known IL Will be found
that they never had reserve rule In that
league. think II Is a great big game OF bluff
they are trying 10 work and will stand par
wrote Mr.. Maskey the Tacoma manager, this
morning. IN regard TO this matter telling him
that would not play In Tacoma under any con-
SHERATON and that II Is case OF trying 10 bluff
me to sign with him. You may rest assured
that will be IN your team This year or know the
reason why. Hoping to be with you in fw
days. remain, respectfully, Il. VAN ZAST.
SAN JosE's BALL GROUNDS.
The work of removing the stumps of the
trees cut down on the site of the new base
ball grounds on the Alameda, says the San
as wished for, and it is not probable that
with the present methods and number of
| men employed the work will be completed
| In time for the practice games which must
be. PLAYED by the San Jose team
before they enter the seasons con-
test. The Indictment weather has interfered
| somewhat with the work of clearing the
| grounds, but other difficulties and delays
| were also encountered. 1t is alleged that
the system of pulling the stumps out is not
| what Is desired, and that blasting will have
| to be resorted to- Next week several
members of the home club will arrive in
this city, and as they desire to 80 into prac-
| tice for at least two weeks prior to the
opening of the season, their ardor win be
| somewhat dampened by the fact that there
! is no ground in this vicinity suitable for the
| purpose. This will prove a serious detr-
ment to the club and may result in its being
| dubbed the tal-enders a position held by
the Stocktons and not sought after by either
| the manager or members of the home team.
| After tho stumps are removed a vast
| amount of work remains to be accomplished
in order to put the grounds in anything like
a suitable condition to play ball on, and if
| the in and cut fields are not in atisfactory
| ball-playing order, the team will soon be-
| come ratified and the spectators disguised.
| 1t is to be hoped that the Directors of the
home organization will Immediately recog-
| niZe the urgency of the matter. and place a
sufficient force of men, with ample facilities,
at work, and put the question of finishing
! the ground III proper condition in the proper
| time beyond any doubt. Mr.. Bates, the con-
tractor for the erection of the grand stand,
| will commence work Immediately.
The American Association.
| CINCINNATI, Feb. 27.-The American
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