Evening journal., 1892-11-14

in each OF the twelve cities was as follows
Boston, 123,s9s; Brooklyn, l6l ,54I; New
York, 12S 740; Baltimore, $3.50; Washing
ton, 119,ss3; Philadelphia, l5s, ,ll6; Cleve-
land, 116 ll6; Cincinnati, 190,675; st. Louis
lG7, ,975; Louisville, 1881; Chicago l4S, III;
Pittsburg, 122, ,227.
Now, as they say in sensational news
paper columns, this is important if true
But the figures themselves bear upon their
face the impress Of falsehood. Nobody
will for one instant believe that more peo-
pie attended the games in Louisville or st.
Louis than in Chicago, nor that Cincin-
MATHS attendance was more than 60000 i'm
excess Of the New York patronage. Neither
can you persuade the people who observe
baseball crowds closely that the Brooklyn
club at home outdrew the Pittsburgs full
10000 and yet lost $4,000 while the Pitts
burgs played TO a profit
The Chicagos' drawing powers on the
road are well illustrated by this table Of at
tendance: They played TO 1924 spectators
in Boston, leading the Brooklyns, the sec
ond best card by less than 100. In New
York they drew out 2u,290 TO the Philadel-
phias' 1850. in Washington they were
also the best drawing card, and played to
1885 people, the Philadelphias again
coming IN second with ll,JO5.
The club was outdrawn in Brooklyn 10y
the Cincinnatis in Baltimore by the Brook
lyns, in Philadelphia by the Clevelands in
Cleveland by the Louisvilles and at st.
Louis by the Cincinnatis. In Chicago the
New Yorl1s were by far the strongest at
traction during the season, playing to
28,2Oi spectators while the Louisvilles,
under Fred Pfeffer's lead, classed second
On N
in all the above figures the holiday dates
must be taken into consideration.
But even with all allowances for exag-
gerated reports the general average of less
than 10000 spectators TO q city in the
League circuit shows TO what a low ebb
baseball interest sank this year. 1t proves
that total receipts of 500 600 on any ground
was an exception rather than a rule.
The enthusiasm which came with the
final games between the Clevelands and
Bostons was very considerable grain of
comfort for the magnates, and made them
believe that much better things are I'm
store for them for next year.s The three
games at Cleveland We're witnessed by
1900 people, and the three at Boston 10y
II, 900. There was a time when Boston
would have turned out three spectators TO
Clovelandis one, but that time was not a
part of this year or Of the last three years.
The great slump in baseball interest at
Boston has puzzled students of the game
everywhere. Up to 1890 Boston bore the
deserved reputation of being the best base
ball city in the country. No other city
could make a pretense of disputing that
claim with her. Now, with a winning
team, the club can scarcely draw patronage
enough TO pay expenses.
Boston was hurt by the Players league
fight more than any of the old League
cities. And when the American associa.
tion got foothold there last year and in
troduced twenty-five cent admissions a
harm was done to the old club which it
will take years TO overcome.
The south seems to have profted in the
rebound, as it We're, throughout the north.
Not only did the Southern league of eight
clubs 90 through the season and play to a
general profit, but they are building an
~ 20 themselves for next year. At their
recent annual meeting four new members
were added-namely, Charleston. Savan.
nah, Nashville and Augusta. The circuit
for 1893 will consist of those cities and the
eight Of this years organizatiOn-viz.,
Chattanooga, Memphis, New Orleans, Mo
bile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta
and Macon. I believe the Southern league
people made a mistake in enlarging their
circuit. The cities which they have added
are all good baseball localities, and have
"been there before" The objection Is not
TO the new members, but twelve club
circuit has never yet been q financial sue
cess. IL was a very expensive experiment,
for the American association in 1854, and
has been equally disastrous TO the National
I league this year. Too many clubs divide
| the interest until il is too little to do much
/ good anywhere.
The late William A. Hubert, founder OF
the National league, said to me as long
ago as 1880 that if he had his way he would
reduce the League circuit to four elite.
and four clubs He insisted that foui
! clubs in the fight would attract more at
tention than twice that number But eight
clubs have been shown times innumer
able TO be the consistent number for
perfect. well working baseball organiza
tion.
In Cincinnati they are expressing mucl
Joy over young pitcher whom Comiskel
found at the very fag end Of the season
He was picked up so late that the clul
could use him in only one championship
game, and he was most successful then
The young mans name is Jones, and h
Is called "Bumpus" by those who are on
familiar torms with him. just nov
"Bumpusn jones' name is more common
on the lips of Cincinnatians than the nam
Of any other celebrte. 1t will last then
all winter. Two or three days next spring
may be enough TO send Jones into the pit
of oblivion. IL takes more than one swal
low to make a spring and more than on,
game to make a great pitcher. Cincinnati
should bide bit with Jones.
It has been widely reported that Treas
urer Howe, of the Cleveands, sold out hi.
stock because he and President Robinson
disagreed about the wisdom Of engaging
Clarkson. Mr.. Howe authorizes mo tC
deny this. lie sold his stock before Clark
son was released by the Bostons. His
reason for getting out Of baseball is be
cause he is going abroad next year and
doesn't desire to be hampered with tn,
worry of baseball campaign which /.
sure to be full Of doubt and uncertainty.
o. p. CAYLOR.