The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-20

whose minds have given to the world the
fruits Of their fertility. A five cOrnered
baseball diamond is not needed to fill a
long felt want. but there are few men
who seem to live for the sole purpose Of
studying out something which will add TO
the general interest in the great American
game, and they keep at it with all their
overheated thinking machinery year in
and year out, forgetful of the apparent fact
that baseball today has reached the ne plus
ultra of perfection in its mechanical con-
struction.
This new inventor is one Of that class.
He lives somewherein the south, and he en-
listed President Hart, of the Chicago club,
as his agent to put the new tangled thing
before the already half crazy magnates.
Mr.. Hart stands ready at all times to adj
vocate any change which will add excite
ment to the situation. He is like the man
who was not only in favor of the civil war,
but also of the next one. Mr.. Hart would
favor any innovation in baseball playing
from an octagonal diamond to an alumni
ium bat.
1t is not worth much space to discuss
the five cornered diamond scheme. because
it is not practical and will never be adopt
ed. 1t will go to join the invention of an
electrical continuance which a few years
ago was brought to the magnates' notice.
The plan was TO connect each base with
bell by electricity, so that the instant
base runner stepped upon the base the bell
would ring and so direct the umpire in his
rulings. Il was not so absurd as this pro-
posed improvement of the baseball dia-
mond
Only one objection is needed to show its
weakness 1t would rob the game Of that
exciting phase Of team work which we
have at second base, whereby the second
baseman and the shortstop are compelled
to cover the base itself and at the same
time field their positions from twenty to
fifty feet distant from the base. The five
cornered diamond would place second base
about where the second baseman now
stands to field batted ball, and the extra
base would be right at the shortstop's feet.
/ only wonder that this absurdity ever got
the small recognition which has been given
to it.
Tony Mullane has promised to do him
self service as we'll as one Of great inn
portance to the profession in which he has
for years been a star. He will sue the Gin
cinnati club to recover his salary for the
entire season under the contract which the
club, without cause, repudiated. Mullane
will have no trouble in proving that there
was collision, or, TO be palmer yet, con-
spiracy among the twelve League clubs in
the transaction.
The fact that his release was announced
and yet not one of the other eleven clubs
made him an offer for his services is proof
sufficient of the conspiracy; but il he needs
more President Young will furnish it
when called to the witness stand, for all
who know Nick know that be would not
bear false witness for all that the twelve
League clubs are worth. The courts have
already shown a leaning toward the play
ers. They have also given the magnates
some severe raps about the lack of equity or
comfy in their dealings with players. No
court has any sympathy with conspiracy.
1t seems to me that this suit Of Mullane's is
destined to be Of great Importance to the
business conduct Of baseball in the future.
Another relief which Mullane will seek
IN his suit is an absolute release from the
Cincinnati club, which will permit him to
sign elsewhere. Though the club pre-
tended to release him last July, they re-
served him in October. The latter act