Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-04

what has been the case for some time past
There are many features connected with the
national game that will bes discussion,
and discussion, If reasonably and calmly
carried on, will tend to popularize the game
just as much as anything else At this
stage it is useless to discuss the merits and
dement's Of the 12-club league. 1t is now
q settled fact that well have that system
for another year at least Debate cannot
prevent it; good, bad or Indifferent, We will
have it again. am one who does not be-
ieve in it, but most assuredly my opposi-
tion to it will not prompt me to try and
injure its chances of success 1t Is the
duty of all who have an interest in the
game to try and make the best Of the
adopted system, and only assa1 IL Hnen
there is a chance to have it changed.
But the proposed changes OF the rules
have not vet been accepted There is time
to estimate public opinion on the numerous
proposals before anv definite changes are
decided on. am very much mistaken If
public opinion is not almost unit against
any increase in the size OF the diamond.
There has not been sound reason advanced
In support OF such radical change. There
is certainly a stronger feeling in support of
putting the pitcher back few feet and
there is quite strong opposition to 1t. 1t
is important to note that some of the most
intelligent ball PLAYERS and many of the
best informed baseball patrons and mag
mates favor the change in question. This
indicates that the change will be made and
If this is the only important change that
will be made it will be well because one at
q time is experiment enough.
Locally speaking baseball is again COM
ing to the front The officials of the local
club are once more working like beavers
and have no fear of the results of their
labors We all know that those connected
with the club spare neither money nor
labor in irving to get good team. Local
patrons of the game ought to be grateful for
that, and they are. Well, Manager Buck
enberger and his colleagues will have
good team next season; in fact, as far as
am able to Judge from what 1 know, the
team will be better than 1t was last year.
Everybody connected with the club is work.
ing for its betterment and the good work
will be rewarded.
Out of the big list of players on the
ocal clubs list there are sure to be sufficient
good ones TO make winning team. There
is an unusually large number of pitchers
on the list and MI. Buckenbergef says
he is sure to ge: three or four really good
men from the lot Three good and steady
pitchers with a team like the Pittsburgs
behind them are sure to be winners, and
that is what We all want.
The Local Football Season.
As far as what we call Rugby football is
concerned the local season is practically
over. It has been a good one; in fact bet
ter than any of its predecessors It has
also left impressions and an enthusiasm
about the game that indicate even more
popular season next year than ever; indeed,
already dates are being made for local
.La L. of h.
try next year. will not be surprised if
we have both Yale and Princeton teams
here next year The P. A. c. Is are trying
to secure dates with the Tigers and in view
of that fact it is safe to say that the Three I
AS will try and get the champions from
New Haven here. That would be treat
and no mistake.
The football season, locally speaking, was
financially very great success. The other
dRv Manager Barbour, of the P. A. C., told
me that his team had cleared 81, 500 on the
season. This is an excellent showing when
everything is taken into consideration. 1t
bevond all doubt shows that the popularity
OF the game is increasing at a more rapid
rate than any body had expected The P
a. C.'s deserve all the success they have
had.
The Three AS have also done well fnan-
ciallv, and have made a great name for
themselves. They are fine los of gentle
men and firmly believe are to a man in
the sport for the love of it They are ex-
tremelv eager to give all Legitimate encour-
acement to good performers and this fact
i3presses ME with the notion that
next season they will have one
of the best football teams in
the country. Nobody can prevent them
from having outside members OF their club
and certainly outside members can repre-
sent the club in athletic contests as legally
as members who live In Pittsburg If loot
ball PLAYERS like Hefelfnger, Donnelly,
NIalley and others are now members OF the
Three AS, nobody can reasonably object to
their playing on the Three AS football
team next season whenever they are re-
uuired TO do so. Mr.. Heffelfnger pointed
this out the other day. If the Three AS
or the p. A. c. IS can secure the star PLAYERS
Of the country as members. so much the i
better for the local clubs and for Pittsburg
admirers of the game. For nv part 1
would like to see the very best men in the
country become members of the local
teams
But association football is not done vet
There are some very important games to i
take place here yet between the Pittsburg
team and other crack teams of the country.
There has net been a more interesting club
in the country this year than the Pittsburg
club ] am sure that President Tam, of
the Pittsburg club, and Secretary Matthews
have not only worked like Troians, but
have made some very big sacrifices for the
benefit OF their team. They have an excel
lent team, but there is ono thing they lack,
and that ia practice. As individuals they
are as good As any team, but as whole
they are deficient. II then comes to this,
that II they do not practice they may as
well disbund-
The team nave TO play the Chicago team
at Exyos;t:on Park on Christmas Day, and
tht, c,Iltest ought to be a good one. Presi-
do,,t Tam assures me that lie will have IL
frst-class players on the Geld that day and
one.
Proposed Football Leagues.
ANY amount of rumors are current about
proposed football leagues. Il is not likely
that one-twentieth OF them will materiaIize
and it may be cha: not one new league will
sucoeed at present there is considerable
talk about q com bfnatfon OF Harvard, Yale
and Princeton. a combine OF this kind will
ehut the University OF Pennsylvania and
other good football people out and almost
ALI the money viii go to the trio named.
To be suro she victory of the q. OF P. team
oyer Princeton has had something to do
in uoictnz opinions of the kind in question.
There Is q very strong objection among the
leading varsity teams to the U.of p playing
Yale next Thanksgiving Day. This objec-
tIou or opposition IS so strong that am in
clInec &c thiak that the Z. OF P. Will not be
IN :pe contest. Financial considerations
viii prompt Yale to have the Princeton
team Ns opponents on Thanksgiving Day in
rrefereags to the U. OF p. An Eastern au-
thoTiry points out: