, 1892-01-24
NEW BASEBALL PLANS.
Rem milford, Jr., Writes of the
Latest Developments.
THE PROPOSED CENTRAL LEAGUES

the ClhbS III uTSI ClhSS SOCltlN "Oulu IN 1
sad straits. They would ave no inviting
fields for their fall and winter hunts afte
talent when stars, grown large unde tn
hat. were on the wane. That fair and fon,
dove of peace had only tapped her wing
once or twice over in Hoosierdom whel
the united factions resolved to foster an,
protect the small fry of the diamond
There is a vast territory to cover, for score
of cities want professional baseball.
The Western association, which held
sort of a meeting for the collection 0
feelers" at Chicago the other day, has it
eye upon several OF the cities coveted b,
the projected Central league. Columbus
indianapolis and Milwaukee are in tn
similar roles of having two claimant
apiece for their hand in the diamond dane,
of 1892. Toledo completes the western foul
in the Central, while in the east it is ex
pected to take in Buffalo, Rochester, Al
bany and Troy.
Away back in 1877 the name of James A.
Williams was one of three signed TO the
call for the organization of the Interna.
tional association-the first in the field
after the National league had been born.
~Singularly enough this same James A.
Williams was one of the several parents of
the American association, and today he is
a leader in the movement to place the Cen
iThl ltdB uG III IL " Stdb Ol taAlh- TIC II
likely to succeed.
About the 18th of January a meeting of
all those Interested in the proposed circuit
will be held in the Buckeye capital. From
five OF the cities encouraging replies nave
been received and in the other three there
are stock companies organized and ready
to move in and tai flats on the first floor.
Thu Central league may break far away
from traditional lines and adopt a plan
that has never been given the practical
test it deserved. In all minor leagues the
salary limit has been tried and found
wanting. No matter how solemn the
pledge some c~lub-anxious to secure a
card-would break away from the bound
airy Of safety and the rest would plunge
after, carrying the whole circuit into a
maelstrom of high salaries and subsequent
ruin.
Under the contemplated plan the players
in the Central league will all be signed by
the president. There will be n maximum
list for the basemen, the'fielders, the
and the pitchers. After the num-
Der needed by all the clubs are signed the
idea is to distribute them by lot. In this
way the danger OF breaking into the old
and disastrous habit of promising to pay
out more money than would be likely to
come in at the gate would be averted. The
league would attract no little at
tentiou during the trial OF this idea-one
of the many embodied in The Millennium
which was shelved when the war OF
broke out.
When the International made its debut
in 1877 the first season resulted SO fayorably
the League, then in its swaddling
took fright, and William Henry
was accused OF plotting its down
fall by sending to the annual conclave an
emissary whose capital stock seemed TO
consist OF an abundance of suggestions.
all Of the same import. Il move we adj
iourn,h was his platform, which. however,
remained unoccupied. l. c. Waite
'Deafy," of the old st, Louis Reds-und
II. Denny Mcknight, destined to become
president of the American association,
joined Williams in his call. and the Inter
lived -four years.
In that first season the Live Oaks, of
Lynn, dropped to sleep ere it was ended,
but the Tecumsehs, of London, won the
flag in their campaign against the Allie
Rochester, Manchester, Maple
Leafs, Of Guelph, N Buckeyes, of Column
bus. Arthur Cummings, the father of the
curve, was a leading spirit in the Interna-
tional, and Mr.. Williams, who had once
shone as Columbus manager with the
salary of 5000 per year, was
created secretary and treasurer. Talking
the old days to me, he said:
"A few of the clubs were semiprofession-
al and were conducted on the 'carpetive'
plan, as Bill Gleason would say. Some of
the actors in the race that year are dead.
Here in Columbus we had Club Sullivan,
who was afterward considered the greatest
man who ever stood on first base. Lapham,
the first baseman of the Maple Leafs, died
"A few weeks ago Mt Dubuouep
Little Louie Say was with Manchester,
and Joe Hornung-"Old Ubbo"-a Te-
brave. Jack Nelson, famous as
the oldest man in the world" when he
with the Indians at Staten Island,
WAS with Allegheny, while Wesley Blogg,
afterward became an umpire, caught
for Manchester. Out of the International
many of the stars of past and pres
ent. Charley Fulmer aud Jimmie Calvin
wore Buffalo robes, while w. II. McGun-
nigle was one of the greatest fielders and
base runners in the business, Mike Dor
gan, over whom New Workers once raved,
and Honest John" Kelly, the umpire, who
turned his own picture to the wall in the
gallery of the cranks' affections, were ri
walls for the title of the king of catchers,
and Dorgan won by "A few points. Horace
Phillips managed the Auburns then when
Critchley and Keenan, were one of the best
batteries in the land. Fred Dunlap was
also in the team
The next eason Jim Clifford had the
whole outfit at Albany in addition to Tom
Burns, now Uncle Anson's right bower,
and Captain Ned Hanlon, of the Pitts
burgs. Tim Keefe played in Utica and
Buck Ewing in Troy. Roger Conner and
Smiling Micky WEIGH, the friend of the
census taker, began at Holyoke. When
the International met at Buffalo after the
first season there were no less than twenty.
six clubs knocking on the door for admis,
sionl The entry fee in those days was only
thirty dollars. Such a roll of celebrities
shows that it is folly to despise the day OF
small things.
Manager Gus II. Schmelz is the man who
will pilot Columbus in the new league and
Charles H. Morton has already given It
his cordial Endorsement. Perhaps James
II. Williams will be installed as president.
No one could be either more efficient or de-
serving. Before Charles H. Byrne entered
the Association councils o. p. Caylor and
Mr.. Williams were the authors of most OF
the legislation in that body, and when the
joint playing rules committee was organ
lied the progressive ideas of the Associa-
ton were Endorsed and embodied almost
without amendment in the new guides.
Rem MILFORD. JR.
For the Children.