Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-16


support; but I'm frank to say that 1
don't think your pan will succeed
In the face of this general skeptic'sm, the
work was pushed on. The veteran man
ager. W. W. Burnham was secured. A
team of young players was brought TO-
Rether, uniformed, equipped, and put Into
the f,sld The people of the Kennebeo
valley have seen the finest teams In New
England. outside of the National League,
and a better grade of base ball than was
ever before put up in central Maine.
II would be useless to say that no mis-
takes were made. A ground was con-
structed at large expense in Farmingdale,
but the games there entailed such heavy
loss to the team that they had to be aban
doned. A few dishonest players got away
with money that was advanced them. The
attendance at Waterville, in spite of the
exceedingly loyal and devoted support Of
the friends of the game In that city, was a
sad disappointment. The books of the
treasurer show loss from all these sources
of some $780, In spite Of this however,
the club has finished the season and put
its players upon the reserve list That it
has been able to do this, is explained by
the uniformly large attendance upon the
games in the city of Augusta Another
season experience would enable many
losses incurred this year to be avoided.
Most of the expenses incident to the forma-
ton of team, and the building of new
grounds, will not have to be encountered
again, and with more general support
on the part Of lovers of the game in the
Kennebec valley the team can go into the
field another season materially strength
ened, and ready to make hard fight for
position.
Much credit is due Manager Burnham
for the results he was able to achieve TN
der most discouraging circumstances. The
writer has been in position to know of
many handicaps that have beset his
way, and that were not generally known.
When he started in to organize the Ken
nebecs, the other teams in the league were
practically made up. The New England
Association had also secured Its players
The old and tried material was not avail
able. Nothing remained for Mr.. Burn
ham but to collect team of young players,
new to the professional ranks, and develop
them into playing form. This course in
volved long and tedious sitting process
1t was also beset with expenses In spite
of all obstacles, however, he persevered,
and to him must be given the credit Of
bringing to the front a group of. young
players who will take rank with the best
in the league. Some people have been in
clined to think Mr.. Burnham too severe
with his men; but those who saw the last
game with Portland were able to appreci-
ate how importanta part his control of his
men has played In the winning of victories
In conversation with the writer Just be
fore his departure for home, Captain
Doherty said: Z" l do not wish to play I'M
der better manager than Mr.. Burnham.
He has used his men well, and the only
ones who have had any trouble with him,
have been those whose habits were intern
perate. 1t was his duty to the team and
to the club management to call such men
down, and he did not shrink from it, It
would have been pleasanter for him, per-
sonally, to have overlooked some of these
breaks but he was loyal to the team He
did his best to have it play the strongest
possible ball, both at home and away"
1t may well be a matter of pride to the
people of the Kennebec valley that at no
time during the past season were COM
plants made of the conduct of this team
in any of the cities of the league. On the
other hand, the gentlemanly conduct of
Mr.. Burnham's men, both on and off the
field, called forth many compliments.
They never resorted to "dirty ball play
ing" and won all OF their victories by
hard, clean work.
AS it finished the season, the team was
almost entirely of players
whose habits were above reproach, and
whom the people of the Kenneebc valley
will be glad to greet again another season.
Already many gentlemen who did not
take stock in the team this season, are
expressing their willingness to
10 Gu another season, and the outlook is
bright for II team in 1896 that will make
the best of them hustle, and stand well I'D
In the race ut the finish
MAINE COSclp