Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
G0INGS-0N IN SPORTS.
Current Topics Of the Diamond, Turf
and Athletic Field.
THE COMING BALL SEASON.
All Quiet in the Local Field-The Richardson
Case Hangs Fire-social League Of Athletic
Clubs-Break From the Amateur Athletic
Union-sunivsn's Fight With Maher.

| Inc past week mas peen quite uneventfui In
the local base ball world. There is little to be
done now but to wait for warmer weather. Two
weeks from Monday the members of the WASH
ingtou team will meet Manager Barnie pre-
pared for southern trip. No word Of dissent
has been made by any Of the players assigned
to Washington but D. Richardson. On the
| contrary. an amount Of enthusiasm unusual in
a Washington club has been displayed During
the southern hmbering-up trip, when the team
Will meet others OF the new league, some idea
OF its remarkable strength may be obtained
President Young has been enjoying rest at
ms Mt. tieasant home for some time, and in
reply 10 inquiries says that there is no news.
Inc Richardson case still hangs fire, and
from present appearances will be battle royal
on the part of the New York management
Ihey have taken on the argument of life or
death and claim anything from dissolution of
the club to an earthquake on Manhattan Isle
, should Richardson's assignment to the WASH
lngton club hold good. For the league to de-
| eide against the Washington club in the case
would be a rank injustice and would be the
breaking OF an agreement entered into at the
Indianapolis meeting. an agreement ii ignored
winch may perhaps be the cause Of the undo
ing OF all the great work of that
meeting: We have it from q semi-oficiaf
source that Mr.. Wagner has given his fellow
maSnates TO understand that should Richard
son be reassigned he will consider it a direct
blow at him personally for past affiliations in
the base ball world, and that he would almost
as soon think OF giving up the franchise of the
washington club as to letting Richardson 60
TO New York. This stand is not taken on ac-
count of Danny's playing abilities 30 much as
guarantee to the Washington patrons of the
game OF Mr.. Wagners earnest endeavor to give
them tirst-class team.
Ex-Magnate Stern of Cincinnati, in an inter-
view recently, speaking in regard to the Rich
ardson case. said that the stability and pros
perlty of the league depended upon Richardson
going back to New York. He said that city
required a frst-class team and would patronize
nothing else. To weaken the team financially
or in playing strength, would weaken the league,
and when it came to injuring any one the pros
perity OF the other eleven clubs should be con-
sidered first.
This argument is decidedly the strongest one
that has been put forward SO far in the contro-
yersy. Any one at all acquainted with base ball
history will agree that when the pockets of the
magnates are likely to be touched tits generally
case OF tine horned gentleman taking the
hlndmost An injustice to one man is a SIN Ill
matter and If Washington retains Sir Daniel it
Will be because the good old fighting blood of
Barnie and Wagner has asserted itself and
would not down. Washington has unquestion-
ably ali the rights in the case. and for the
honor, squareness and good OF the game it is
to be hoped the rulers will consider an honor
able action first and the mercenary one last
THE LOCAL PITCHERS.
1t ia strange how different the opinions of
writer's are when it comes to sizing up the
playing strength of the different clubs and
picking out weak spots therein. Here in Wash
lngton many agree that Washington's weak
spot is in the box, while the base ball scrbes of
other cities apparently think that is our strong
est point. Knell has been keeping in trim out
on the Pacific slope, and his work has been a
revelation to the fans there. As fielding
nifchpr kDpll rapkl ha he,f he
patrons of the game in this city will indorse
when they recall the artistic manner in which
he backed up first base for the Columbus club
while playing on the local grounds. Gastright
degenerated little last season, blu. claims to
have recovered his old time ability, and may
disappoint many croakers the coming
season. Dollar can be depended upon
to do good work from the drop OF the flag to
the finish, as he is one of the best in the bust
ness. To keep him In strict alignment with
the essential conditions of ball player during
the playing season will be Barnie's chief
trouble in regard to this player and the assur-
ances of Dolan himself, it is hoped will crystal
ize into reality. Both Gastright and Dolan
have for some time past been getting into con-
dltIon In gymnasium out in Cincinnati and
the Cincinnati Enquirer says both men are in
the pink of condition and keeping good hours
In kiilen the Washingtons have a conner. This
Is the opinion of seven-eighths of the base ball
writers of the country and his past work would
man all know, and although he will
have to face new men his nerve and
sagacity will, no doubt, be amply sufficient
to keep him up with the band wagon. This
completes the list of Washingtons available
pitching talent and with the backing they will
receive in a fielding, batting and base running
sense should be able 10 hold their in any COM
pany. The Washington club is unquestionably
dark horse in the race for the championship
and local followers of the game would do well
IN ret hoard the nf f,;, 1o
opinion and enthuse over its abilities and in
cidentally boom the game back into the Won
derful popularity of 1889. That the enthusiasm
and success OF that year may return is the sin
cere wish of all lovers of the great game.
The latest adyices from West6eld, Pa, where
Daniel Richardson, the merchant ball player, puts
i'll part OF his time looking alter his branch store
there, are to the effect that he is not 'blufing"
when he says he will not come to Washington
Daniel has written the following to q personal
friend in New York:
LILLY" Barnie was up here to see me last
week. He tried to persuade me that it would
be to my advantage to go to Washington and
captain the team. / could have a new contract
drawn up to my own liking or hold the one
have already, which Is perfectly good. told
him had lost all faith in the Wagners. as 1
feel sure they signed Roger Conner and myself
to further their own interests, as they knew
well the consolidation deal would 60 through.
and by signing strengthened their position.
As Barnle admitted they got $4,000 more for
their club, think We did pretty well for them
and they have no chance to kick.
/ signed with them to play in Philadelphia in
good faith and would have fulfilled nv contract
to the letter if things did not take the turn they
have. My case is different from the other play
ers, as the club signed with went out of ex-
istence before l played a game with them.
Then, again, L deny the right of any two men
to dictate to me where l must play. OF course,
it is no to kick through the papers, as it is
an old chestnut, and they will say you are look
ing after the advertisement. Hence am keep
ing quiet but when the time comes they will
find that don't "biuf" worth q cent The
way the thing stands now 1 want to get back to
New York, but don't intend to lose anything by
SO doing AL the base ball people in Elmira
want to see me there, and, in fact, all my inter-
ests would be benefited more or less by my SO
doing. Besides feel l have few friends
among the base bali public of New York, and
my relations to the club officials and people
there in general have been Of the most pleasant
nature imaginable.
Taking ali the circumstances connected with
my case under consideration / feel have
perfect right TO return there SO long as they
wish me TO and am satisfied. Wagner and
barnle can find no excuse whereby they are en-
| uted TO my services without my consenD,
l eitner by moral or base ball law.
The Washingtons will play the Dartmouth
college ball nine on April IL at National Park.
Inc Dartmouths will play the Georgetown
| college team on April g.
Il AT har nxr1 II ftt-- A. NJ L