Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-16

Western Association are much to be re-
GREETED by all who are interested in base
ball affairs. While there may be some hope
as to the holding together of that organiz-
alton, it has been torn aSunder to such an
extent that very large amount of damage
has been done already, and more will fol-
low. There were bright anticipations re-
garding the Western Association, but one
by one the various clubs got into difficulties,
and then the almost general collapse could
hardly be averted But whatever may be
the fate of the Association this year, it is
sure to be to the fore next season, and that
means that during the winter there will be
MANY changes made. But whether or not
the changes will affect the National Agree
ment is very problematical; but they may
likely enough affect the salaries of players.
The difficulties of the Western Association
once more proves that almost all the money
in the baseball business goes to the players;
there is little or nothing for capital. A
condition of this kind cannot last, because
while many capitalists, probably the ma
jority in baseball, are not in it to make
money, they are certainly not in it to lose
money They won't stand losses, and this
means that if the players are to get all the
money that is taken at the gate, and some-
times more, the gates won't be opened at
all. But it seems TO me that the National
League will not by any means allow the
Western Association to collapse if it can
possibly avoid it.
Our Amateur Ball Players.
A dav or two ago, as far as watching an
interesting ball game is concerned, had an
enjoyable time. l think I saw one of the
most interesting contests / have seen for
very long time The game l refer to was
that between the Bridgeville and East End
Gymnastic club mines, which took place at
Bridgeville Besides being an unique game
of its class, the journey to, and the surround
ings of, Bridgeville were all that could be
desired to make up an afternoons enter
tainment, The rustic or the rural, or 1t
NAV be the rough and ready, features of
Bridgeville make quite pleasing contrast
to the arrangements and surroundings OF
city baseball game. And then Bridgeville
is proverbial for female patrons of the game
of very enthusiastic nature, and when en-
thusiasm and beauty are combined many
shortcomings of ball game are overlooked.
But l have few words to say about the
game on general principles, because it
virtually decided what club will secure the
County League pennant this year. The
East Enders won, of course, and it is safe to
say that they are worthy of the pennant.
1t may have been nv fortune to have seen
them at their best on Wednesday, but most
assuredly I saw them play an excellent
game. There was not fielding error
recorded against them, nor did any of them
ever look like making one. They ac-
complished a neat double play in each of
the first three innings, and earned seven of
their eight runs Now, that's ball playing
''as is ball playing" care not whether L
eoa dopa hI- Douioae m. y1ro-
fessionals. To me an errorless game by a
novice nine is Just as important as an error
less game By National League pennant
winners. True, this may not be the gen.
eral sentiment, but for the life of me 1 don't
see why it should not be so. If anybody
will show me why an errorless game by, say
the East End Gyms, is not just as good as
an errorless game by the Chicagos, will
be exceedingly obliged. And when at
Bridgeville the other day / couldn't help
thinking that too little attention by the
baseball public is paid to our 'amateur"
teams The contest 1 refer to was well
played on both sides, and the quality of the
work done by the Is men speaks very highly
indeed for those who have gotten the teams
together AS far as have seen deem the
winners the best amateur team in Western
Pennsylvania, in fact, the best in the State,
and it would be q very interesting event to
see any amateur team in the country come
here and defeat the Gyms. They are un-
doubtedly the best amateur team there has
ever beer in Pittsburg, and the local public
should give them as much encouragement
as possible. In Thompson they have quite
a speedy and tricky little pitcher, and when
in his best form he is far above the County
Leagte standard. He has not yet arrived
at mans estate, and he may blossom as q
star among the pitchers of the major organi-
cations. In speaking of the County League
/ may be allowed to express the hope that
it will continue to the end of the season;
that is, that all the clubs now in will stick
to it until the schedule Is exhausted. 1t
would be pity now that the season has so
far advanced to have such excellent teams
as Bridgeville, Tarentum and the Gyms
more or less laid aside for tho season. l am
aware that in some instances the teams are
costly, and that the receipts do not defrav
expenses, but if the various clubs will pull
together efforts can probably be made
whereby clubs that have lost money can be
helped along. The County League is an
organization that is very useful in its way,
and patrons of the game would do well to
try and sustain it as much as possible.
A Boom in sprinting.
During the last few months patrons of
general sporting affairs will have observed
that there has been quite boom in sprint
ing in and about Pittsburg. For time 1t
seemed as if that branch of sport had for
ever disappeared from Pittsburg, and as far
as L could learn, nobody appeared to
regret it. Foot-racing had been completely
run underground, and it is needless to
reyamp the causes, as we all know them.
The public had been gulled 80 often that
they rebelled, and that ended it. But DUR
ing the last few days two very important
matches have been made, and when point
out that each race is for $500 side the pub
lie will see that there is once more consid-
erable interest in that exceedingly interest
ing branch of sport. Tom Hammond has
agreed to concede P. Morrissey three wards
start in 100 yards for $500 side. Some
time ago Hammond conceded Morrissey
four yards in the distance named and the
latter won easily by six yards. Hammond 8
latest resolve, therefore, can only be
explained by saving that he must not
have been a "trier" in the former
race. While have no opinion to express
regarding the result, or probable result o.
the race, 1 may remark that three wards is
quite good start The two men are to run
at Homestead on September g. and it is safe
to say that it will be great time among
the sports from "up the river" The other
event is more importunt still, the competi-
tors being onr veteran OF the track, Davy
Sheehan, and Grant White. They, too, are
to run for $500 side, ,sndit is a long time since
more important foot race than their took
place in this vicinity. They are both good
runners and have been much before the
public, and venture to say that the con-
test will be productive of much specula-
tion. Sheehan has proven himself to be a
sound and reliable man on the track and
there is no shreWder snrinter before the