Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29
A SUMMER DAY TOPIC
Matters of Interest About the Ma
tional Came.
BASE BALL NEWS At HEADQUARTERS
Players Contracts Being Sent to
President Young.
GOSSIP OF THE LOCAL NINE

With the base ball fields in this vicinity
covered with snow and ice 1t seems almost
improbable that a well-developed epidemic
of base ball fever Is raging throughout
league circles. President Youngs sugges-
ton book is filed with tips as to the prop
er arrangement of the playing schedule.
from a standpoint advantageous to the
various clubs interested. For instance,
Col. Rogers of Philadelphia writes to tell
Mr.. Young that the new pavilion for the
Quaker city club Is to be constructed Of
steel, and it may Lot be finished by the
first of April. although the contract calls
for it's completion in time for the opening
Of the season. Col. Rogers, to guard
against unavoidable delays In the work.
suggests that the Philies be scheduled to
play in all of the eastern cities before
opening nR the season on the home
grounds. That would give the contractors
ample time 10 complete the new pavilion.
The suggestion will be carefully considered
In the deliberations over the schedule.
1t is pretty well settled that the WASH
ingtons and Philadelphia will begin the
season in this city. the same as last year.
There Is a friendly rivalry between Ar
thur Irwin and Gus SchmelZ as to the re-
suit OF the series between the "Quakers
and the Senators. and the games be-
tween these two cubs are always contest
cd With unusual spirit and 'earnestness.
New York is very anxious to have Ned
Hanlon's Baltimore Orioles to assist in
opening up the season at the polo grounds.
Baltimore Is equally willing to try con-
cluslonS with the winners of the Temple
cup at the start. so that date may be re-
garded as closed. 1t Is the practice for
New York and Brooklyn. to alternate In
opening up the season on their home
grounds Last season Brooklyn commence
ed operations at home, so the coming sea-
son will lind New York getting under way
on its home grounds.
1t Is probable that President Young NAV
not promulgate the official records of the
league pitchers until the schedule meeting
takes Place IN February. Without desir-
Als tc anticipate the records, IL is pretty
safe to assert that Amos Rusie and Jouett
Meeklr were the star twirlers of the past
season in the estimation of the base ball
puoic generally. When the averages are
promulgated IT is believed that the friends
and admirers of Meekin will be gratified
at the showing he makes beside the great
Rusie. In several departments of the
game the old Washington favorite out
classes the big fellow from "Hoosierdom.''
Ihose persons who used to find fault with
Meekin for being irregular in his delivery
will probably find that he gave fewer men
their base on balls than did Russie He
also won greater percentage Of his
games. Fortune favored him to the extent
or giving him four tie contests If he had
won three out of the four tie games or
lost the same number there would have
been material difference in his record
Tor the past season. His batting was also
superior TO that of RuSie, for the official
averages shows that he was only one
number behind Farrell. These comments
are not made for the purpose of rejecting
upon Rusie, who is probably the grea test
pitcher in the league today, but they are
simply made 10 show that those persons
who pinned their faith to Meekin have
every reason to be proud of his work in
New York.
Ild' Mercer. -Wa.shington's best pitcher,
Will also stand up among the best talent
In the league when the official decisions
are handed down. He had bad run of
luck at one stage of the season, when
several large scores of earned runs were
piled up against him. 1t was during that
period when 1t was charged that he was
playing for his release.
Judging from the numerous communica-
lions received at league headquarters
there is going to be a general revival of
interest i'll the national game out west
during the coming season. Cincinnati Is
full OF enthusiasm over the interest which
Buck Ewing appears to have. aroused in
that city. AL Spalding's practical return
to the base ball colony is already beginning
to have its effect in Chicago and through
out the western cities there is something
like the old-time base ball spirit prevail
Ing. President Young says that the west
Is apt to lead in the enthusiasm next sea-
son. The south is also showing greater
activity now than ever before, and there
Is lively competition for franchises in
the various southern cities. Altogether
the New Year promises to be happy and
prosperous for the base ball world.