The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-10
FRANK G. SELEE.

which tore down the fence rs the game
was about to start and helped themselves
to whatever sight they could get But this
years multitude represented just so much
money and In that respect stands unchal-
lenged as to size
wonder how many who read this nrti-
Gle can realize what that Polo ground CON
grcgation of baseball spectators represent
ed. 1t meant the equal in population of
many important cities. inside that in
closure, shouting themselves hoarsc over
one of the most exciting games of ball over
played, were nearly ms many people Us live
III Allentown, Pa; in Auburn, n " In
Bay City, Mich; in Birmingham, Ala;
In Brockton, Mass; in Davcnport H.; In
Galveston, Tex; in In Crosse, Wis In
Little Rock, Ark; in Pueblo, Colo. In
Springfield, Ills; in Tcrrc Hnuto, Ind.
or in Wichita, Kan.
New York city has always been consid-
cred the point ut which to measure base
ball enthusiasm. The Polo grounds arc
looked upon in baseball business as mo
State of Maine was formerly regarded in
politics. This year New York has smash
ed all records. Though its Chants" have
not done satisfactory work, the city Is base
ball crazy. Ending with Decoration ti.y,
the club has played II games on Its home
grounds to total of 145, 425 spectators, an
average of S, $50 to n game, this, too, in
the face of rain on opening day and threat
ening weather on Memorial day
Philadelphia has done almost rs well.
Pittsburg, the best baseball city for its
Size in the Union, has maintained its rec
ord and added some to its fame in attend
ancc figures. Cleveland turned out Is
600 people to see three games against the
local teams rivals from Pittsburg Balti-
more worships its Orioles at the Ball park
by many thousands.
Boston alone shows rctrogrcssion. n
cooling off in local ardor. A reaction for
the better may come later in the season.
but this spring the Hub has refused to en-
thusc over its three times champions. The
reason? Too much newspaper talk and
growing by the Boston players They
started, or tried to start, the old crusade
for larger salaries and threatened the club.
The public got enough of that in 1890,
and so She Boston public shows its dis
gust with the unreasonable stars
That prosperity which has fallen to the
lot of the National league has spread to
the minor organizations. President Pow.
ers of the Eastern league told me recently
that all of the clubs in that organization
had made money to date. The New Eng
and league clubs arc reported to be sail
Ing in smooth waters, and the Pcnnsylya-
mia circuit, thanks to the circus advcrtis
Ing of King Kelly, is banking money all
along the line.
In the middle sections and the south
things bascballic arc going less promising.
~, but not one club has shown disposi-
ton to close its gates. All In al the sea-
son of 1894 has been one Of unusual sue
cess in n matter of public interest
A manager Is largely creature of for
tune, i'll or good. When Arson was pull
ing in championships for Chicago in the
eighties, the doors of the city flew open at
his approach. Now even tho alley gates
arc barred against him.
Comiskcy, while nominally at tho head
of Won der Ahcs triumphant Brown
Stockings, was hailed rs n baseball Napo-
leon. Since he has becn in Cincinnati
he can't get corporal's commission in
Coxcy's army of the commonwcal Before
he left tho west for the cast he told Gin
cinnati newspaper men that he had faith
In his team. Now, faith, we are told by
the Bible though not larger than q grain
of mustard seed, if we'll planted In the
heart, will sprout and grow into tree on
whose branches tho birds of the air will
build nests. But Commy's faith refuses to
sprout, possibly owing to the damp and
rainy spring. 1t hasn't grown into even
Gprig largo enough to rest mosquito
Frank C. Selcc Is one of tho tow mana