The morning call., 1891-03-02
LEAGUE. LINERS.
Ease.Ball's Bright Outlook for
=. the Season of 1891.
IRA. wards Letter Concerning Manager
Robinson's Claim on Him-Adoption
! =. =. Of Schedule at San Jose.

STATE mas not ulSCUNclGu huuitlOhoA FA"J
hairs in his black locks since he assumed
the management of the home team ana
bought .up another third interest In the
Aaight-street Grounds Association. WINE
eonyinced Of the future success of his plans
far 1891 he is actively working to make
them so. He was asked few days ago II .
= he ever experienced uneaNnegs as to recelV-
ing a return for the larSs amount OF money
he has expended within the past few months.
"No. have not" was the quick reply.
"IfI should Judge the interest III baseball
by the number of people that stop me to in
ouire about the home team and by the de-
mands | have already received for private
bOxes-if these signs are TO be accepted as a
criterion-I believe that the interest this
season in the game in California, and San
Francisco particularly, will be greater than
IN the most Successful past years oil the
Coast League 1t is not Catchy state
ment when l say the clubs will be stronger
than ever. Ihs matter Is easily
explained. Lust. year, the advent
OF new factor in the sport
the Northumberland the bringing out
of a number of bright young players to sup
ply the exirao-lilary demand in the big
leagues. The downfall Of the brotherhood
ami the collapse of great many minor
Eastern leagues lllltW tt4NoC men VI WV
market at reasonable figures. Consequently
if manager in this lie que does not have
frst-clas, nine it will be no ones fault but
his own. The fact that no expense has bee
spared in rebuilding the grounds and i'm
proving the fields las shown the public tina
file Ca. iforuia League has decided to con-
duct baseball on Il high plane this season,
and has also caused increased interest. Oh,
no, Pm not claiming the pennant already.
While Ehava the best and most costly team
ever representing this city, l have arrAyed
g. against me formidable clubs III the other
towns. In McClOskcy, Sacramento has Sc
cured the best minor league manager in the
country and he doubtless Will make the pace
warm for the FriscJs, in fact think the
season Will wind up with close fight be-
tween San Francisco aud Sacramento for
first place, San Jose third AMI Oakland
81. bringing up in the rear. Tins forecast may
surprise the enthusiasts, in the face OF the
ex-Natioual League and Association talent
that the windy man from Oakland and Cen
eTal O'Neil lave secure d, but you can put
ygrappIiug iron on this prediction: Unless
p some radical changes are made IN the per-
sonnel of the Oakland team that has been
published, the Colonies will once more adOrn
their natural positiOn-that of tIii-enderS.
/ believe we are. going TO have good ball
MS wear. me weakest team III tue league
is much stronger than the best one OF 1870"
"Mhat are your views concerning the d Il
ferences which now exist between the
Pacific Northwest League aad the Cali
fOTuia League in relation to Ward Van Zant
and tile others ?" President None was asked
yesterday.
: "a l cannot say at present that have any
fixed opinion. | have Il p ersonal knowl-
edge Of The grounds Of the controversy, and
what | know Of the matter have read only
Imprint, where il is possible errors may
have creVt in, and my, therefore, not be
in possession Of real facts"
- Should the Pacific Northwest League
. appeal TO the Board of Control, what would
be.the effect on the California League?"
3. Before doing 50 l presume 1t would
make an effort 10 satisfy the people here
thai they had right TO the services oil the
players claimed by them, and in the event Of
Being unsuccessful, should the Board of
Conlr0l take up the matter, the players OF
clubs here would be entitled to full and
Impartial hearing"
s." Should tue board award the players to
the Pacific Northwest League, would that
lend the matter!"
NOt necessarily. President Young has
written me that the tules and regulations of
the board and the National Agreement are
not yet printed, and Until | receive and
study them would not wish TO express any
Oplno on in The matter. However, | will say
in a general way, the board has only such
Jurisdiction and power as has been eX-
= pres ly.granted TO it by its creator, or which
may be necessary for 1t TO give effect to its
jurisdiction. The board must strictly follow
lis rules and regulations when II attempts to
deprive any one eff valuable right who is
subject to its jurisdiction. An association
club. or player san only be punished or dis
clplined by the board in the manner and to
the extent provided by It's rules, and II
would not ne allowed unlimited jurisdiction
in nsTuiug its rules. Before it trial
must-be had in good faith. and not be con-
- tTaTy to natural justice OF the laws OF the
land. Neither can the board constitute
itselfth sole judge Of the fairness or regu-
iRTltg OF It's own proceedings. Should an
appeal be taken 10 the CnUTlS in proper
Case, take it all these matters would be
examined and the board would have to
show the facts and the various steps of The
proceedings and let the court judge as TO
their fairness ard regularity The rules
and regulations of the board and the Ma
t0nal Agreement Will be presumed to be
known aid assented TO by all who submit
themselves TO their operation, and they
would he bound by them, and, having had
fair opportunity Of being heard, they would
be bound by the action of the board"
Mention was made in Saturday CALL that
Manager McClOskey had signed for Sacra-
mentO Frank Ward, the champion batsman
of the Pacific Northwest League, who is re-
served by the Spokane Falls Club and who
is also claimed by Manager Robinson. In
the article it was stated that Ward was at
one time rejected by the Colonel as he was
regarded as an undesirable player. The fol
lowing letter has been received in connec-
ton with the case:
Editor CdtI-DEAR SIR: 1 wish you would
publish the following communication IN yOur
valuable paper Concerning Mr.. !. 7. RUbinson's
claim 10 my services Tor tie season Of ~, also
that had signed a contract TO play with tie
oakland Club In this the gentleman above
mentioned Is mistaken, for l signed no docu-
neht of any kiud agreeing 10 play In the afOrr-
sald cliy.aHd furthermore have no intention
en- ~ ~ IL NH VatI..
lion Of your space / VIII Try 10 give an eXUiana-
D. Hon OF lie hue facis. OF tie matter, aud defy
Mt. Robinson TO prove Otherwise.
IrJaHuary O'Nei made me an offer which
accepted, together with 800 advance money
subsequently received a contract to sign, cali
q Ing or eight months Work. ireturned the con
tract TO him, unsigned. and notified him that
would not slgD The same unless he would agree
not 10 lake The money advanced me out OF INV
first mouth ) aiary- In the meantime O'Ne re-
eeiyed letter from Robinson Notifying him not
10 sign ME on any conditions, as | was hood
lum and oead-tOugh bali-playeT," and be did
not WISH 10 haTUOr any such characters. O'Neil
j.. wrote me, ineloslng RObinsOu's letter. and pre-
Vallsd on me TO send back lie advance money. /
conn LED with Ills request aud that Is tie money
% MI. ROBINSON refers TO as Lying IN The express
Office across The bay"
Wien read MI, ROoinson's letter saying l
was a "hoodum aud Tough was completely
knoek Ell out TO learn that bad such TepuIa-
tIoI III the Ear West Although not irving to
pose as all angel, have always tried IT, act the
part Of a gentleman, both on and on lie diamond.
see that Mr.. Robinson Is Trying TO sneak out of
i have IN my possession The letter written by SIR
Robinson 10 Omen, and at any time MIR. Robin
e. son WiShes-Io The letter he vote branding
NE "hOodlun aud tough" he can do so by
coming 10 Sacramento, anu shall be pleased to
- show him his own handwriting.
MIR. Robinson, IN announcing men as hood
lunls. should not forget one member OF bis team
=. Tor 81, would not play under that man ONell
for $500 per month.
! signed yesterday contract to play third
base for Sacramento during the coming season.
and should The Secretary Of the league refuse 10
s:promugaie my contract aud l am barred from
p playing wlththe Sacram ntos l viii! neither go
70 Spokane nor Oakland, but Will 20 back home
d 10 Al coma Pa and join my brother III the gro.
Gerry business. Probably Messrs Robinson aud
ONei are seeking cheap notOTety by claiming
g. my services, but IL will be a cold day when
play III The same team.with VNeil. / mean iusI
3WbaJ' Say aud am D Oh The bluiI, and as there
= are always two sides 10 story you will confer
on NE lasting favor by publishing This letter
and allowing The base ball loving public 10 hear
!; my elde OF The story Respectfully yours,
Sacramento, Feb. "a, 1884, FRANK G. WARD.
=; Last night theletter referred to by Ward
was sent to The CALL by the player. 1t
-. bears the stamp OF Colonel Robinson's
warehouse, and is on the first half of a page.
the balance of the sheet having evidently