The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02

history OF tho
!. ~ lelgue fas been
~erJE varied one.
The organization
was perfected early in the spring. Messrs.
Bradley and West, who have been in,er.
csted in baseball in this city for sey, raj
seasons, were the moving spirits IN the
league. Mr.. sullivan OF Norfolk. who
Is also something of a baseball man. was
In Richmond at the time OF the organi-
zatlon. ana made an effort TO organize a
competing league. For some reason this
uid not materialize, and IL was finally
decided 10 organize with the six clubs
which are now members OF the league.
AZ subsequent meeting In Petersburg.
tne schedule was mapped out. but was
afterwards changed 10 the plan which
was observed during the season
10 equip the clubs. build grand-stands
ana Dleacheries. MAKE suitable grounds,
pay officers, and sign PLAYERS required n
snug sum of money, and at first the busi-
ness was an uphill one. The Richmond
grounds were put into excellent shape
ana fairly good team engaged. }, Was
afterwards realized by the management,
improvements were made In the person.
mel or the team the patronage would
gradually dwindle down considera bic.
These improvements were made from
time TO time, pitchers were brought her.
from all over the country. and finally the
STANDARD OF the Richmond team was up
TO that of any other team in the league
GROWTH or THE ATTENDANCE.
The season opened IN Richmond by a
series OF three games with the stanton
tsfnce the Newport News Hampton team
commencing April 23d. The weataer was
dance was. naturally enough. quite small,
only about three hundred cranks W tness.
ing the game. These cranks saw that tie
Virginia State League meant bust ess
nV hn no ~ d. . a
this year would be, perhaps, better than
for many years previous. Then the at
tendance began to Increase graiua IL
until IL ran up into four figures. OF
course the number Of spectators varied
from time 10 time according 10 the con-
dition Of the weather as wei a. the rival
ry between the two teams 10 meet When
Norfolk or Petersburg played In fsicn-
mond the attendance was very large.
while the games with Roanoke. Stau ton
and Lynchburg failed TO draw so free y
The attendance at the games I'm this
city from the first OF June on has ranged
from 600 TO 900. according 10 circum-
stances. About 5000 peOp.e witnessed the
games between Richmond and Peters
burg on Juy 4th some 5000 In the morn
ing and 5,0J Ia the afternoon. The aver
age attendance since June lst has be, n
about ], 40
been somewhat large. Norfolk drew much
larger crowds during the first OF tho
season than did Richmond though the
latter city OF late has drawn the largest
attendance OF any city I'm the league.
Norfolks average attendance has been
during the entire season. some 1880,
while that Of Richmond has been ab.u,
lao Since the lst OF June Richmond
has taken the lead, a. stated above.
Petersburg should be put down as
third In attendance. The average In that
city has been from 90 TO 100.
Ii must be remembered. however that
Petersburg draws considerably from Rich
mJnd and Norfolk when either these
teams play In the Cockdde City.
Lynchburg stands fourth IN the .eagIe,
with an average attendance Of go, While
ROanokcJ average has been perhaps lo
less. The stanton team drew the smell
est attendance OF any team In the league
when they play In stanton. The average
attendance there. was about $50. since the
team has been transferred TO newport
News the attendance has been largely
increased. 1t the latter place the average
attendance has been a5Out 800. This IL
crease was cue 70 the fact toat Hampton,
OH Point, Norfolk. and Portsmouth,
which are all near by. sent over number
Of rooters from time 20 time to the games
In Newport News.
As An TNvEsTMgNT.
The Virginia League as a wuOIe has
made little or no money. 4 Is stated upon
good authority that the Roanoke, New
port Hampton, and Lynchburg
Petersburg team Will come out little
ehead, IL Is thought. the PROFITS. how
ever, will not be heavy. The Norfolk
cam will be. perhaps the most success
hi one financially. Their expenses have
)een quite heavy, but their average at
tendance has been very g.ailty ng. and
heir profits. while not very large. Will
De nothing To laugh at.
With the Richmond team the expense
has been, perhaps, heavier ~ an any in
the league. The siounds and acconmo-
iations in this city cost more imam tn -.
u any other city in :he league. Besides
under many difficulties IN the way OF
bringing players here. .lany players
have been brought from distance. and
sent back home At the e1pense o. the
nond MANAGEMENT have made som:
money. though rothlng Ike 50 much
"a the PEOPLE think. Men do not go to
work and give their ZINE and capital 10
II is 10 be expected that they will be
FOR Their enterprise and
energy. and It will be gratifying 20 most
)f the base ball people IA this city 10
Inow that the Richmond manag efnent
nave been paid for their work, as well
1s their risk In the venture. Tue profits
will be only what the management have
A right &c expect as legitimate busi-
ness investment.
PROSPECTS FOR MKT YEAR.
The Virginia State League VIII In ali
,robabll be conducted next year upol
, similar basis as that adopted ms
season. In talk with one OF the
managers OF the team yests rday ne
aid: 1--WE expect to have good team Ia
he field next year. team that viii be
.aually a. cr"ditable To the caIital cry
- the one we now have. The grounds
re in our control. and players VIII b;
tened M as early "A date as Is pTacu-
.able. We are already looking around.
md have had n talk with several OF
,ur present players AS yet We rave
,ot Signed any players. but expect TO
~ our patrons Justice in every respect.
rhere VIII probably be some improve
nents TO the grounds. and several ad-
,antaces introduced In the way OF ac-
and system"
us there any reason 10 believe tnae
he Richmond team will be In the pro,
osed Eastern League ne" year.
"None whatever. In the first place l
q NOT believe that there VIII be any
.astern League. There was some talk on
he part OF Mr. sullivan ana others
bout establishing an Easte m Ls ph,Is
eInhia Wilmington. Trenton. Baltimore,
and perhaps Richmond, and
'orfolk | do not believe u can DE done.
he National League will have team ~
sveral OF these places, and that VIII
mock the other league OUT. besiass.
rci,it' and the long jumps and heavy
spense 10 secure good players. would
AZ tustify such a movement. 1 think
ON may safely say that IL ano'her organ
otion should compete with tho Virginia
eague in Richmond one or ne otnes
mid not possibly support two profess
'onal teams Certainly the Virginia