Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-21
BASE BALLS DEAD.
Rock Island Out Of the Race for
Awhile Anyway.
LAST SEASONS WORK RESPONSIBLE

Now the Park Has Vanished aud Prospe cts
for Resumption Of the sport Here This
Year Are Gloomy What barry Sage
Thinks About the situation
Present indications surround pros
poets for a base ball team in Rock
Island the forthcoming season with
9 discouraging air. Therefore it is
not anticipated that anyone will uu-
dertake to revive this amusement in
a professional form, especially when
the conditions of affairs as they ex-
listed last season are taken into con-
sideration.-
Rock Island lost its base ball en-
;husiasm when the local aggregation
was deprived OF its mem bership in
the Western association last season.
Then when we took in that organiza-
tion cbristened the Eastern Iowa
league we sounded the death knell to
base ball in this neck OF the woods at
least. In fact, Rock Island people
became SO thoroughly disgusted with
the article furnished by that institu-
ton that the fascinating features had
no further charms for them. OF
course the fact Of Rock Island having
an amateurish team was no fault of
the management-that was the kind
they all had. Then the enthusiasts
could not stomach last seasons ex-
hibitions in view OF the excellent
playing they were accustomed to
witnessing IL months previously.
Lay Low for Pew Seasons
And now it appears as though
Rock Island would lay low, SO far as
the ball question is concerned, for
one or two seasons at least-and
probably profit thereby. By that
time the desire for the national game
will be sharpened up somewhat and
then few of the cities with swelled
heads at the present time will be
down on their perches few notches
and conditions will be more favorable
all around. Even il an attempt
would be made to organize a club in
Roc k Island one of the preliminar-
les would be the selection of grounds
and the erection OF an enclosure-the
old park having been transformed
into building plat.
The guiding star of base ballism in
Rock Island - Harry Sage = has
signed with the Texas league and
with his departure will vanish the
last flicker of the lamp of hope for a
team here in 1S96-at least people
generally look at the matter tnis
way. Base ball in Rock Island is
dead for the present." said Mr.. Sage
in conversation with an ARGUS rep
resentative. "While of course last
seasons playing is in the most part
| responsible for this condition, you
must understand that the knock
blow which We received from the
Western association is what weak
ened enthusiasm in this locality
Rock Island would be very foolish TO
take a place in the Western associa-
ton if offered one now, for you mark
my word that THAT organization will
90 to pieces before half the coming
season has dawned. We had better
take rest here for few seasons and
watch those Western association fell
lows hang themselves. BY that time
l think everything will be brighter
and Rock Island can get in the band
wagon with the best OF them-for
that is where she belongs"
Sase'- New situation.
Mr.. Sage has agreed to take the
management of the sherman, Texas.
team, and is now only awaiting the
arrival of his contract. The Texas
league opens about March Is. Sage
will catch for the club. While lovers
of base ball will regret to see the
''doctor" leave Rock Island, they
will nevertheless hope that success
will crown his Texan efforts with
all the plaudits that attended his
playing here, where he captained
pennant-winning clubs in 1892 and
1894. Mr.. Sage is a veteran of the
diamond. and is responsible for the
development of Durean, Hutchinson
and Hea,ey, all Of whom in recent
years startled the country with their
wonderful pitching. Harry began
playing professional ball in Rock
Island IS years ago. and since then
has played in Pueblo, ST. Paul, Des
Moines, Toledo, etc, IS well as at
home.