Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-29
The NATIONAL GAME.
Shall Augusta be Represented
In New England League?
President Murnane Thinks the Con-
ditions Here Are Favorable.
Remains TO be Seen II Kennebec Citizens
Will Support Team.

MI. L. II. MurudHe, inc president OF the
New England League, arrived in Augusta,
,st evening. He will be met here, today,
BIZ other members of the circuit
committee, and will look the ground
over thoroughly to see what the outlook IS
for placing New England League team
in this city. He was seen at Hotel North,
last evening, by a Journal man, and
talked freely in relation to the matter.
He said:
sWe should like very much to see a
team in Augusta to complete our circuit.
Several cities have applied for the place,
but the general sentiment of tho clubs,
especially those in Maine, is in favor of
Augusta 1t would break the long jump
from Portland to Bangor, and furnish an
almost ideal location for a strong club. )"
"Do you think that New England
League team could be made to pay here?'
asked the reporter.
II see no reason why it should not. The
record of Augusta as a base ball city is
good The strong teams which you were
able to support here for two years at sala-
lies not much less than those paid today in
the New England League is pretty good
proof of love for the national game in
this vicinity. AS a member of the New
England League, your people would have
an opportunity OF seeing much better
grade of ball playing and the number of
spectators would naturally be much
larger. Again, when your teams were in
the field in 1888 and 1889, the city of
Gardiner also had teams in the field. The
pay roll Of these two clubs was largely in
excess of that of any club in our league to-
day. You had no Electric Railroad be-
tween your city and Gardiner during those
years. With this convenient mode of
transportation to and from the grounds,
and no competing club in Gardiner, the
attendance would naturally be largely in
creased not only from this city but also
from Gardiner and Hallowell. Many of
your own citizens who would not care to
take SO long walk, would be ready to
take the Electrics and could do so with
little loss of time. This same advantage
would hold true of the other cities along
the line"
"Do you think we could count ON at
tendance from other places?"
II do, certainly. There are lots OF
lovers of base ball in Waterville, and be-
lieve many of them would be glad to come
u Augusta to see contests between the
strong teams of the New England League.
Your train service could not be better
for visitors from that city. The games
would be called at 3. 80 in the afternoon.
The train gets here at $40 and visitors
could return home in the early evening.
You would also get many attendants up
on tho games from other surrounding
towns. This has been the experience in
Portland, Lewiston and Bangor, and l
do not believe Augusta would prove any
exception to the rule. "
"Do you believe that team would
benefit the business interests of the city,
Il cannot answer that question better
than it is answered in this evening S
Lewiston Journal. One of the directors
was asked, what good is base ball to a
citys' and replied:
60 1T is of so much good that no bust
ness man in Lewiston or Auburn can
, afford to see 1t anguish. 1t brings trade
into town, enlivens the local interest, IN
creases local pride. advertises the city
throughout New England, and will bene-
fit every trader directly or indirectly to at
least the amount of one share of stock
We now have about 30 stockholders. We
should have $50. Then, no one man can
manipulate things or can have word to
say beyond what is his merit as base ball
man or a manager of such affairs.
Now this was the expression of one OF
the leading business men of Lewiston, a
gentleman who knew by experience, the
truth of what he was stating. This has been
the experience of all cities that have had
teams strong enough to secure the notice
of the metropolitan press, and draw specta-
tors from considerable radius
The Journal man here suggested that
many business men of this section would
be glad to contribute money to the support
of team, who could not possibly give
time to 1t.
ssThere would be no occasion for that, =
said Mr. Murnane. THE management
of the whole matter could be put into the
hands OF some good man with thorough
knowledge of the business. The best re
suits have always been attained in this
way. If you have no good man available
for the place here, the league could easily
suggest several who would fill the bill
what chances do you think We would
have of securing at this date winning
team-one that could hold its own with
Portland, Lewiston and Bangor"
II think they are good. Portland and
Bangor have strcng teams, and Lewiston
e. h,,StlinU in that drecti01 Within a