The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-12
JOHN NJ. WARD ON NEW RULES.

BE Believes They Should be Made
eWherever They Seem Expedient.
l think the result of the coming season
depends largely upon the success Of the
New York aud Chicago teams. If they are
playing good ball and their cities support
them well, there is every reason to believe
that the season will be good all over the
country. Base ball would prosper better
without any New York CLUB than with a
poor one, for other clubs and the base ball
patrons in general get their stimulus not
only from the Giants good work but from
the Influence Of the metropolitan papers as
well. 1t has been my observation that the
cities that have won the championship one
or two seasons have dropped completely out
or lost interest In the game to such an ex-
tent that they did not support their club.
They have reached their limit when the
pennant has been won, and that seems to
satisfy them, instead Of stimulating them
to keep up the support Of their home team.
II has been the case with Buffalo, with
Providence, with Detroit IL had its effect
In New York and was too much for Chicago,
and In the association Columbus, Louis
vile and st. Louis are other evidences Of
what ] say.
The quarrel among the clubs themselves
and the disappearance Of the favorites from
New York and other Of the leading clubs
lar enthusiasm. Now / believe the public
has tired Of poor ball and has had enough
OF 1t, and will support a good club.
We will give New York as good a club
this year as possible under the ciroum-
stances. You know there has been cut all
along the line, and there may he some
trouble in getting the boys to sign. These
gentlemen who are supporting base ball in
New YORK are not dependent on what they
get out of 1t for a livelihood, 1t Is true, and
yet they are not exactly In 1t for their
health, either. They have been going down
IN their pockets year after year and paying
for the losses without a murmur. 1t is
nothing more than fair that once in a while
they should be allowed to end a season with
something TO their credit We players owe
IL to them TO meet them half way and share
the burden OF keeping up the game. | be-
lieve most of the men understand this and
will sign without protest
Chicago has got to have a cracking good
team this season If she wants to make it
pay. The worlds fair will take many people
there, but there are other attractions as we'll
as base ball to see, and unless the team is of
exceptional excellence it won't come out
any better next September than it did last
The centennial killed base ball in Phila-
delphia in '76 for the same resson.
With regard to Kelly l can say that he
has been sent blank contract to fill out
and sign. The amount Of salary we can
afford to pay him has been filed out by us,
however Kelly is a good man, and want
him If be will come. He likes to daily and
hang of awhile, but think he will sit on
our bench this season. With regard to the
proposed rule Of putting the pitchers box
back farther, | am not in favor of moving
It more than or feet anyhow. If they
find that the pitcher is unable TO get the
ball over the plate at that distance it may
be necessary to increase the size Of the
plate. For this reason the committee on
rules should be empowered to make any
changes at any time which the actual play
shows to have become exDedient.
JOHN NJ. WARD.
look for complete revival in base ball
affairs this season. l cannot see how it can
be otherwise with the changes that have
been made. With John NJ Ward as our
captain the New York team can hold its
own, and speaking for the game in general
sm glad TO see that there will be more
equality among the teams OF the league than
was the case last season. All the star play
ers will not be 10 one OF two mines, and this
is as 1t should be. Base ball is the great
American game, aud 1 want 10 see It kent
so, and will do all in my power as president
OF the home team to promote the interests
of tue national sport.
CORNELIUS VAN Corr, President.
pOUEP IA CCskETnuNw