Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-11

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remarkable for one thing, viz, the system
attic and determined way . few people
have argued for bigger diamond and the
pitcher in its center. The advocates OF
this very extraordinary change take lot OF
things for granted; in fact, more than there
is license for. 1t is now admitted that the
proposed changes are a step backward, be-
cause it is assumed that the public has
tired of the best quality of baseball play
ing.
Now, let me point out one thing The
public does not want bigger diamond
There is nothing to show that the public is
tired of the present one. To argue the con-
trary is to merely assume what is not true
1 question yerv much whether the public
wants any change at all or not 1 mean the
majority of the public. Many OF the most
representative men are opposed to any
changes in the playing rules
am still convinced that the national
game has lost popularity BY other causes
than the PLAYING rules; indeed, maintain
that the rules have had nothing to do with
it. 1 argued this some time ago and In re-
ply somebody argued that the first half OF
last season was remarkable tor big at
tendance while the second half was fail
there was something in the game itself that
wearied the public. Now the very fact
that the attendance was bigger In the first
half than in the second proves what am
conteuding for.
There was certain novelty about the u
club League at the beginning of last season.
That was u source of attraction for time.
The attendance was generally big and there
was no complaint at all about the playing
h sooopd half of tho
and the public simply got tired of very
bad quality of ball playing, the consequence
of the 12-club League. Nobody grumbled
about the rules 1t was the very inferior
work and one-sided contests; in short, 1t
was because of too much of that kind OF
PLAYING that is now desired by those who
want the rules changed. 1t is foolish to de-
ceive ourselves, and that is just what we
will do if we entertain the notion that the
public is tired of good ball PLAYING. Why,
the thing is preposterous Does anybody
mean to tell me that it is wise to try and
popularize baseball by making the game
more inferior than it is? Have we to make
thing bad so as to think more of it? Did
YOU ever know of such a philosophy?
The other dav l read with much surprise
an opinion to the effect that pitchers bat
ties as we call them, or scientific games
were disgusting. d This was made by man
who is insisting in the most extravagant
wav on a bigger diamond. Now, I appeal
to ahv fair-minded baseball patron and ask
this questions: Which has been the more
disgusting-a contest of to or a game
OF 10 to Is or something like that? Tell me
what game has received the most praise
both by the press and the public. Why In
almost every instance the big-score game
has been condemned as ''rotten," and the
pitchers contest has been commented on
and talked about ~for DAYS as great
game" Let two teams play game at Ex-
position Park and suppose the contest ends
l to l at the end of ten innings If those
teams play on the following day the attend
aace is almost sure to be increased. L have
never seen this fail. But let these teams
plav-a game resulting somewhere about IA
to I3, the attendance on the following day
viii be smaller.
l cannot believe that the public wants
worse quality of baseball than we have and
before anything is done to deteriorate the
game the magnates should weigh the matter
very carefully.
Few Words About the Local Club.
Our local magnates have held aheir an
nual meeting during the week and very
satisfactory one it was. True, there was q
little loss to face, but when everything was
taken into consideration there was no real
loss at all This shows beyond all doubt
that the clubs affairs are in the hands of
very capable men and I'm sure that too
much praise cannot be bestowed on them.
1t is worthy of note that the policy of the
local club has not been a niggardly policy;
it has been generous in every sense of the
word and doubtless will continue to be-
Manager Buckenberger was made Presi-
dent OF the club and L am sure that he is
worthy of the honor. S0me discussion has
arisen as 10 the inconsistency of a man act
ing in the dual position of manager and
President If the work of the manager is
not satisfactory what is the President going
to say about it? Questions like this have
been suggested There really is no reason n
for alarm. The club is in the hands of very
few people, and those few people know
exactly what they are doing. The appoint
ment of Mr.. Buckenberger is for the BEST
and we'll all sincerely hope that he'll sue
ceed we'll
Every day the prospects are getting
brighter Tor a good local team for next
year. Secretary Scandrett states that Far
reli is all right and that means he will play
here next season. The proposed deal be-
tween Mexican, of the Cleveland club, and
Mack, of the local club, may and may not
be effected. l don't think it will In Nc
Kean the local club would get splendid
Ehor!stop, and in Mack the Cleveland club
would get one of the finest players in the
country. 1t may be that the local team
VIII De q 1lNllt hSdh Dub LuauY
good Judges think that Shugart will play a
great game next season.
Manager Buckenberger continues to Sc
cure pitchers and by the time that next
spring gets round he will have a very big
list indeed. It would seem that the task of
getting about three good ones from such a
long list would be easy. The local manager
has remarkable confidence in his team for
next year and trust that his anticIpations
will be realized.
Prospects of the County League.
In two or three weeks time there will be
meeting to discuss the makeup of the
County Baseball League for next season.
There is some doubt as to whether or not
the League will be in existence at all
Should it not continue it will be pity.
The County League has done great deal
for baseball in Western Pennsylvania, in
fact, more than many people think.
But its career has been somewhat check
cred; at times its management and its
policv have probably not been of the best,
but at all times It's aim has been good one
If the County League has to succeed next
wear the organization must be run on
str:cter business principles than heretofore;
there must be less of the partisan in it
There Is no reason why the County League
should not be more of a success next year
than ever.
Doings of Our Amateurs.
Our local amateur athletes are all getting
ready for the winter exercises and enter
+,irIneuts IT is likely that there will be