Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-05

After half a dozen Intellectual at
tempts to reorganize the Interstate
league, that much talked of project IS at
last a reality. Long months ago Messrs.
Barrows. Buckenberger, ct al, had a
scheme for an organization. 1t died
prematurely, but it had the effect Of
stirring up the base ball sentiment
which crystalized at the Toledo meet
ing last week. Mr.. Gunnells next
Matched a little league, which thrived
ON a diet of wind and promise, but when
it came 10 parting with the lucre, sew
eraI gentlemen were conspicuous by
their absence Mr.. Gunnells and MI.
Meyers, the moneyed men, packed up
their traps and opened Irritation with
a dinky league out in the lumber regions
of Michigan. The Michiganders look
ed better at a distance than upon closer
inspection, and thus it happened that
the two magnates returned TO their first
love. The prodigals were welcomed,
the fatted calf was killed, and now all
is serene in the Interstate household.
Messrs. Powers and Gunnells differed
as to the method of reorganization of
the league. There was a nice little leg
al point involved, and Mr.. Powers prov
ed that he knows a thing or two outside
Of writing for newspapers and conduct
ing minor base ball leagues Mr. Gun
nells took the position that he organ
lied new Interstate after the death
of the original Michigan State league,
and that the four eastern cities must
apply for admission. Powers insisted
that the old organization was very much
alive despite the withdrawal of Toledo
and Fort Wayne, and the western cit
les must accept the terms named by the
eastern. Thus it happened that the
cities in the two sections were arrayed
against each other. The eastern cities
had this distinct advantage over the
western in the Toledo meeting-they
had right and reason on their side. The
feeling which was manifested at the
meeting will probably continue
throughout the season, but it will not
harm the organization. There will be
a continual rivalry between the east
and the west. the inevitable result of
which will be good scrappy ball" all
the time
For the first time in a league of which
Wheeling is a member, the guarantee
money is actually in the hands Of the
treasurer of the organization. This is
one reason why the league should re-
main intact as at present constituted.
When ii is considered that Washing
ton and New Castle are the smallest
towns in the circuit. and their sticking
qualities are a'sO taken into considera-
ton. there will be few persons to vent
ure the prediction that the new organi-
zation will not last throughout the sea-
son. Sunday games will be played in
the four western towns. Take the pop
1lation from which they will draw, and
will be seen that the Sunday games
VIII be a big item: Toledo, 10000;
Fort Wayne. $4,000; Jackson. 10000;
Saginaw. 10000 Here is an element Of
financial strength which will more than
offset the railroad fares from the east to
the west Taken all in all, the new In
ter-State is the strongest with which
Wheeling has ever been connected.
The Wheeling club will finally be un-
der the management of local persons,
which should insure its success. Mr..
Louis Delaplaine, Mr. w. w. Irwin, and
others, are owners of the club. and they
will secure a competent head. The
team which has been signed looks very
strong upon paper, and with good man
agement should prove a winner There
are four sites in view for the park, and
the troublesome ground question will
be settled the early part of this week.
It is more than likely that it will be on
the Island With a good location, the
club is certain to prove a remunerative
investment.
:. l.