The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-06
THE FIELD OF SPORT.
Prospects of Professional Base
bali in the Northwest.
Ne HOPE OF CONSOLIDATION.
Amateur League to BE Formed-Sesttle
Maroons Reorganixs General
Gossip OF Sport

The baseball situation in the Pacific
Northwest seems just now to be some
thing Of Chinese puzzle. That the peo-
pie want and will support the game. if it
i properly handled, there can be no doubt,
but what will be the conditions under
which il is TO be had no one seems able to
foretell.
Consolidation with California, which q
month ago seemed quite probable of ac-
complishment, may now be rated only as
bare possibility. 1t now transpires that
most of the California magnates were not
in accord with the expressions of Presi-
dent Vanderbeck. of Los Angeles, on his
recent visit to Portland. Presidents
None. Harris, Finn and Robinson,
the euartette who direct the affairs
of the California League, have announced
that Fanderbeck acted entirely without
authority in opening up any negotiations
with the Pacific Northwest people con-
corning consolidation. They have ex-
peled him from the league, and announce
that if Los Angeles stays in the circuit the
franchise will 60 TO some one beside Van
derbeck. They seem to favor the old-time
circuit of San Francisco, Oakland, Sacra-
mento and Stockton, although Los Ange-
make six-ciub league.
With consolidation practically out of the
range of possibility, the question of the
manner of furnishing baseball to Pacific
Northwest territory arises. There has
been suggested by certain inexperienced
enthusiasts the formation of a Washing
ton State League, to include Spo-
kane, Walla Walla, Tacoma and Seat
Al .,uot
be on a cheap scale with only two games
. week, on Saturday and Sunday. This
would necessitate all of the players, with
the possible exception of the batteries, be-
ing little better than amateurs. Even
then the players, being called away from
home on their trips TO other towns. would
have to give all their time to baseball, and
those who were capable of earning at all
reasonable wages at anything else could
not afford to play bail for the small salaries
that would of necessity be paid. Then,
too, two games q week, with team ex.
penses continually mounting up, would
not bring sufficient return to meet the
outlay. The scheme consequently is
wholly impracticabie and will never be
carried out.
The only feasible plan left seems to be
& 70 IcOIEdulZe TIC EdCluC NOItuWeSb
League practically as it has been before,
with possibly some change in the circuit.
1t can hardly be hoped to form six-club
circuit, but one of four clubs ought to be
organized. The best makeup. everything
considered. would be to include Seattle,
Tacoma, Portland and Salem. Although
not so desirable in q geographical sense.
Victoria. b. c., might be substituted for
Salem. As last resort Spokane, who
has held up her end bravery for three
seasons, notwithstanding the big jump to
the other towns, could be counted upon.
The present condition of the weather
seems to have knocked out of the popular
| mind all thought of baseball, but this is
only temporary. There are now strong
| Influences at work it Seattle and Portland
looking to the formation of league, and
| II the best efforts of experienced baseball
men can avail anything there will be pro-
fessional baseball in the Pacific Northwest
/ the coming season.