The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-03
PRESIDENT S. B. WITT.
TIE J0LLYJUDGE TO PRESIDE OVER
THE BASEBALL LEAGUE.
He Wss Unanimously Elected Yesterday.
Meeting aud Organization of the
Virginia state League.


Portsmouth. The meeting was held at
the Hotel Lexington yesterday afternoon
at 3 o'clock, and the following managers
were present In the interest of their
respective clubs: w. H. Bradley. Tor
Richmond: Camdon Sommers. OF Norfolk;
a. Il. King. for Roanoke; X. &. Scott,
for Petersburg; w. =. Roberts, for
lynchburg. and J. Il. Brady, for Ports
mcpth.
Mr.. w. W. McGufiin. who was present
in the interest OF the Newport News
Club, did not come into the meeting as
he voluntarily withdrew his application
for a franchise. During the meeting
committee, consisting OF Messrs BrddIey
and Sommers. was appointed TO ara" up
suitable resolutions on the voluntary
withdrawal of the Newport News CIuD'
and TO present the same 10 MI MIC
Guffin.
when Mr.. Sommers called the meeting
10 order he asked Mr.. King 70 take the
chair. and he then rendered his res.gna'
lion. which was accepted. Mr. King was
next appointed permanent chairman
JUDGE WITT.
Mr.. Scott then nominated Judge Samuci
b. witt for president OF the League, an y
he was unanimously elected. Mr.. Wood
all was reelected secretary and treas
urer. defeating Mr.. William Blackley, of
Norfolk. who was nominated by Mr..
Sommers. by vote of four to two. IL
was also decided that the secretary and
treasurer shall receive salary Of 800
per month Tor his services. his duties TO
be those prescribed by the constitution
of the League. Mr.. Scott moved that the
percentage of gate receipts should be
uniform among all the clubs, and that
the percentage should be fixed at fifty per
cent.
After great deal Of discussion this
motion was adopted.
Richmond will be allowed the use Of
seventy-fve complimentary tickets per
day. Norfolk SIXTY. and the other clubs
thirty. Each visiting club Will receive
guarantee of Sl20 for every series of three
games when the per cent of the gate
receipts does not come up to That amount.
AN INCREASE.
This is an increase OF $50 over the
guarantee of last year. Upon a motion
of Mr. Sommers, IL was agreed that each
club should charge for ladies if it so de-
sired TO do. the money from this source
TO go exclusively TO the home team, as
do the proceeds received from the admis-
sion to the grand stand.
The umpires will receive salary or |
$3.50 per week and expenses, including |
board and railroad fare. TO be borne |
equally by all the clubs.
Mr.. King was appointed to draft |
and bylaws for the League. !
schedule committee. consisting OF |
Aiessrs. King, Scott and Sommers, was |
appointed.
The season will open April 18th. and |
one hundred and fifty games will be |
played. the season 10 be terminated by |
any three clubs after they shall have |
played 13D~games. If they are unable TO |
retain theirN players, and for no other |
reason.
The salary limit and railroad rates were |
discussed at some length. The fine in
he violation of the first question will
% the forfeit of the franchise and the
lights to the pennant by the club going
,ver the limit.
Several of the clubs who signed play
RS before the limit was agreed on, and
Who will of a necessity go over the limit
viii be granted an indulgence and eX-
smpt from the fine.
After discussing routine business the
meeting adjourned. There will be anoth-
e.. meeting OF the League as sooSas the
schedule committee Is able to report.
WISE SELECTION.
Judge Witt has accepted the presidency |
and In his election the managers of the
League have made what will doubtless
prove a wise selection. The Judge is an
ardent admirer of the game, and last
year he took deep interest in the ma
iional pastime, attending nearly all of
he games played in this city.
The position of president is merely a
nominal one. as the only duties he will
rave to perform are the confirming of the
appointment OF umpires as made by the
chedule committee, and the acceptance
4 the schedule as prepared by the same
committee.
There is no salary attached to the Office,
nut Judge Witt will have d private box
, the grand-stand and the use of five com
limentary tickets each day. The election |
( Judge Witt proves the prediction made |
n the Times that a Richmond man would !
,e chosen. For number of reasons |
Which i have already stated this is the
est thing that could be done In the in
crest of the League.
The season of last year was so success
al that IT has been extended thirty
James, each club playing $50 games in
tead of 40 games as played last year.
Yearly all the players al present are UNI |
er contract to play only 120 games and
n any case where club is unable TO |
,eep its players longer it may disband
pom the conclusion of the 100 games. but
or no other reason Three clubs, how
yer, are required to finish the season of |
30 games in order that the leader may
yin the pennant.
NO LAY-oFFE.
There will be no lay-offs for any of the |
cams, and the games will be played |
from start 10 finish which |
Ill be some time in October. The manage
lent of all of the teams will be run on
Irict lines, and nothing but the best
Management Will be tolerated Although
ne schedule has not been made complete |
he attn OF July games have been decided |
pom. and will be played as follows: Nor
Dix and Portsmouth in Norfolk. Roanoke
nd Richmond in Richmond, and Lynch
urs and Petersburg in Lynchburg.
Al the meeting OF the League held No
emfer -, 1894, when the rate of per cent.
las agreed on II was decided that Ro-
noke and Lynchburg should receive a.
err cent. when visiting Norfolk and Rich ,
lond. and the two latter clubs to receive {
per cent when visiting Roanoke and
ynchbuTg.
Mr. Scott. of Petersburg, when the
bove was read, which was part of the
linutes Of the last meeting, arose and | 4
opposed its adoption. He was in favor /
an equal division. This caused quite /
lengthy tilt between Mr.. Scott and Mr.
DINNERS. but the former finally carried
IS point. 1
THE UMpIREs.
The umpires this year will be instructed :,
ine players violating the. rules. and \
10 fines will have TO remain. This will
inmate much rowdyism. as a player is
ore apt to be careful when ne knows
at fine has TO be paid. 1t is most :,
obable that Richmond will open the | n
ason away from home. /
The New York National League Club ii
| N