The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-22
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
An Appeal for Support for the Baseball
Club.

An Appeal for Support for the Baseball
Club.
To THE EDITOR OF THE TIMEs:-In
your paper Of this morning 1 find the
following paragraph in your baseball
| items:
ut looked very doubtful for time
last night whether or not the bows
would go away. Their salaries for the
past month were due yesterday, and
there was no money in the treasury to
pay them. The members of the team
refused to go unless they we're paid.
Several gentlemen offered to take the
team from the Roanoke Athletic Club,
pay all salaries and run it for the rest
OF the season. The managers OF the
association refused to give the team up
unless the purchasers would assume the
debts OF the association, which they re-
fused to do. The mon were finally pre-
vailed upon to go on the trip with the
promise that their salaries would be
paid in short time"
feel satisfied that this statement in
80 far as THE TIMES ia concerned, was
based upon information which it con-
sidered to be authentic. but the follow
ing facts will show that it has been
misinformed:
On yesterday, June 90, the salaries OF
the players were due. Owing to the
miserable showing made by the team on
their last trip from home, our proper
ton OF the receipts abroad hardly ex-
ceeded travelling expenses. In the irst
game on their return, in the last series
with the Norfolks, some Of the players
made such glazing errors that the
patrons OF the club at once saw the
cause OF our defeats while away, which
had become so painfully regular. and
many OF our most regular patrons left
the grounds declaring that they would
not again patronize such q club.
These circumstance caused serious
reduction in our receipts, hence on yes
terday We had not enough money In
our treasury to meet our paw roll in
full and get the club to Norfolk. That
we we're able to pay as much as we
nave after the bad playing referred to,
was surprise to the management,
and should have been a source of some
satisfaction to the players. Just hero
am glad to be able to state that it was
source OF satisfaction to most of them,
who felt keenly the disgrace brought
upon the club by the acts of a few of
their fellow players.
However, at the timely suggestion of
IN the welfare of the men and q total
disregard OF the interest of the associa-
ton, which had expended more than
$1,000 this season in trying to secure
good team. persons were found on every
corner telling the dear public that the
players were dissatisfied and would not
leave town last night.
We recognize the fact that the people
OF Roanoke are entitled to first class
exhibition Of the national game, and we
have been untiring in our efforts to get
together team which would reflect
credit on the city.
Flndlng that our means were limited
and being informed that there was a
syndicate eagerly waiting to put up the
necessary cash to accom- plish the end
for which we had been striving we ap-
preached the several gentlemen" and
told them that for the good of the game
we were perfectly willing to let them
nave the team on any reasonable terms.
AS they declined to make proposition,
we offered them the team and franchise
for $3.50, the Athletic Club to assume all
It's obligations up to and including June
20.
1t Will be understood that this amount
would not muco more than cover the
amounts due the men last night, hence
this offer WAS virtually to give them
the team free OF incumbrance II they
would give US enough to pay the rolls
then due, and we would assume all
liabilities incurred in organizing the
team and carrying it through the rainy
season, which were very considerable
10 our surprise they declined this prop
os!tion, and refused II mako us any
ouer Whatever, ror have thny done so
up TO this time 1t 9eerlcd thu. their
object ras to h.ve US Civ ham
team free OF all i-cumbrances. wh ca
had cost US mJre than 900 To or
ganize which would cave tina Athletic
Club without any means OF making
the money which they hive already
expended.
Inc Roanoke Athletic Club is an
organization formed to promote the
physical culture OF, and furnish gym
nasium for, .he young men of Roanoke
LIS officers, who have to give a great