Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-29
BASEBALL GOSSIP.
GIimpSeS at the Future Make-UpS Of
The Virginia Teams.
WHO WILL CONTROL THE LEAGUE,


the yexed ProbIcm-Notcs Of the
Old Players.
Some time must yet elapse before the
middle of April will make its advent,
but baseball interests seems to be
awakening. The cranks are talking about
how the team should be made up. the
fans are tanning and the rooters are
counting the days that must intervene ere
they can see game. In the big league
rapid preparations are being made for the
coming season, and IN the minor leagues
all the officers and managers are active.
Many rules have been made that are
bound to make the game more interest
ing. one especially. which will do more
toward endearlng the sport to the hearts
OF all true lovers Of the game, is that
which provides that when it becomes me-
cessary to fine a player the fine shall
carry with IL expulsion from the game
and grounds. The rule will do more to-
wards restoring gentlemanly department
on the field than II fines had been made
larger.
The Virginia League was recognized as
one of the strongest minor leagues Of the
season OF 1895. and it looks as II the old
Commonwealth Will have the best ana
strongest minor organization Oh the sea-
son Of 1896.
The question who shall be president ana
secretary OF our league is causing lots Of
the cranks TO lose sleep. Many sugges-
ti0ns have been made. and quite num-
ber II names proposed.
Tie Norfolk Nirginian is opposed 10
the appointment of either Hoggins or
Talbot as president and secretary OF the
league Neither Of them would DO says
the Nirginian. The former could not
inspire confidence, while the latter has
large business interests 10 look after
and, consequently, could not give the
position the time and attention IL de-
serves Why dilly-dally this way? Why
not get men like Jack Chapman or Betts2
They know the game from 10 izzard'
and could give their whole time and at
tention % IT, This league has had enough
experience in the line of umpres. Let
us be guided by past experience, and get
the proper men at once, and be done
with it,
JAKE Is COMING soon.
Captain Jake Wells is expected 10 be
I'm the city this week and viii commence
90 work Immediately. The popular mana
ger has secured o. number OF good men,
ana is going TO repeat his work of last
year. and hang the 1895 pennant from
our flagstaff.
Four of last years teams fayori,es
have signed-Cln Turkey Groves, Jesse
T4nuehiL Harry Berte. aud Lucky Jack
Knorr Rauert whom the boys VIII
rem mber as the 'youug- g-man-not-atrald-
of-his-yoice." has been signed % don the
birI-ca-e and uyer-pad. and w.ll, no
doubt d0 the same good Work Tor ldcA-
mouG that he did for Lynchuurs. lorke
and Camper. the left ana right iellels,
respectively. are good men, and hitters.
10 is reported th1t Lyncnnurs mas
flied. and that the Tobacconists have a
very strong team. and are determined TO
wrest the rag from the coming Blue
birds Smith VIII manage. and mas see
cured little spec" MCGOWAN TO cover
th.rd bag.
Roanoke has secured seven players. and
the team will boz managed by Boyier OF
the American Association
Breel. who mana-ed Roanoke a part
OF Inst season. is 40 the head ~ the
new Petersburg team. He says mat
The old C0ckale city Will DE strongly re-
presented on the diamond.
Pickett. a western man. has been So
cured by claude Mcfarland. the new Nor
folk manager to play left field for ms
team Pickett is said 10 be- valuable
man. Turner is 10 play centre. ana
Mcfarland right which gives Norloik
q str0ug-hItung Quilted.
Portsmouth mas signed me- lo''y"'''5
players. Iai. hoillns anu itui
cffchrs; Brandt. tal'ni'H' N.Y. .'1
N1maia, ani 'd"tH i.l'",i '',,''.N ,,,i,
\olenl, saoii-'io3' anu o"'-',
lam heilman' 'n ana "r''.''el
IourNe me crack ,.''i .''i' o-
southern league l"l .......'' ~,
ger captain, anu l'i
Comish-y - i"ul lriih anu .l'e ..''''. ...,'..
pla '.'n oI '"' 'lt," '.'
i'iily halslo.. """ .'"H' -'' -, o."
centre-iie.d.r, W iliidn IL ill' 1,.,t- S,,o'..'
oase-eFely no'y KNOWS lH- i''.'s 49,, 49,
man. hItmih' SoD"s O'''''''''''''
/ PLAYER may 'e 9'7"'' .,....-
These are sli1 10 b. all strong players, .,.,,
ana Mf. 1"s mar" '"9 ''.'
cohsii'u'"'.' "l'5 -. "D ,,,.' o',,
sIcA am 'Ssl H"'''" ~
oil foIisin'u'"
NOTES OF TIE PLAY EhS.
Pat. Thornton. who resi- gued with Nor
/ folk az the close Of last season. is trying
ID secure his release from O'Neiu De-
froir wants him. besides. his old college
chum lack Corcorau. is there.
"E,rnv" Hodge and "FoNy" Fry go
with Tel Sulllvan's SAN Antonio TexJ
team. "TeI" has chang his headquar-
ters from Dallas 10 the city above mem
toned.
T.. ~ Isaac. ESD the Portsmouth cor
respondent of the Sporting Life. has re-
ce.vcd letter from Manager Freedman,
+ of the New Y0rks. SAYING that be- was
. uleasel % have signed "Reldy" Foster
/ the Duke OF Fulton. He had good re-
porfs Of the young man. and he expected
q