Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-22
NEXT THE SCHEDULE
The Most Important Matter Before
Base Ball Magnates.
MEETING OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dissatisfaction of the Minor Or
CARNATIONS.
DEALFOR BREITENSTEIN

When President Young reaches New
York city, Monday morning, to attend the
schedule meeting of the league. he will have
concealed on his person about twenty-five
printed copies of the playing schedule for
the coming season. This is new departure
to have the schedule in printed form. prior
to its adoption by the league, and the in
ference Is that an understanding was had
at the last meeting to the effect that the
schedule prepared by President Young
should be accepted without contention.
1t Is not expected that the spring meet
tng of the National League will develop any
business of an extraordinary character.
The adoption of the schedule Is the prin-
cipal feature of the spring meetings, and,
added to this, there will be few unimport-
ant changes in the rules and the disposition
of the Ward case. Guesses have been made
the plurrs that will fall to the different
clubs. and if they do not come true great
howl will surely go up from the unfortunate
ones The Senators have Decoration day at
home year in and year out, because the
Fourth of July is too big a day to be wasted
in the capital city. The largest crowd
Washington could hope for on the nation s
holiday would be between seven and eight
thousand while if the Senators go to any
ether eastern city these figures would be
doubled.
Outside OF the adoption of the schedule
the Ward case is the most important, and.
no matter which way decision is given,
there Will be a great deal of criticism.
President Freedman OF the New Yorks has
an idea that Ward wants TO so to some
other club 10 act as manager. and captain,
but does not want him in the same capacity
In -atf
would really mean considerable loss to the
New y ork president; that is, provided Mr..
Ward is not sincere in his assertions that
he has quit base ball for good. There are
several clubs in the big league that Will
give Johnny the limit to play ball, and full
ly $4,000 additional to act as captain and
manager. 1t will be several years before
W ard can make that much out of the law,
end no one can blame him if he wants to
get away from a magnate who has refused
his offers to play by using methods thor
oughly understood in league circles. Freed
man simply wants to sell Wards release to
the club owners that desire ii, and make
as mucn money out of it as possible. In
CHARLES Byrne Freedman has an enemy who
may take this opportunity to square things,
ana II ne does verbatim report Of the
proceedings OF the committee will De good
reading.
As to rule changes there is a disposition
10 lesisiate against the pitcher. but from
indications Ii looks as if little will De done
either way The coaching and umpire
questions are first and foremost and a
modification OF the rule calling for the re-
tiring of players by the umpire may be
adopted y return to the old filming rule
would De the best way out OF the difficulty
Ihe meeting last fall, at which the UNI
pres were asked to give their experience
proved 10 be a great thing for the custo-
dams Of the indicators and an eye-opener
Tor the magnates. Very few umpires Will
order a player from the game, but never
theisss it is d sure guess that they will
have much easier time this season than
last baltimore and Cleveland will be
markers for the umpires, and the old
time idea of working the umpire will be
lost art President Young is posi- tive that
the removal from the game rule will be
given a trial Nearly every magnate and
manager who has spoken on the subject
has been quoted as opposed TO the innova-
ton, and in favor of the present system Of
fines How an amendment could be work
ed through in the face of this expressed op-
position isn't exactly clear, but President
Young isn't in the habit of making rash
assertions.
The new city league idea is resting quiet
ly at present, but with the coming of spring
weather Will bloom quickly and effectively.
All the best clubs of the Departmental
League favor ii, and the reputable outside
athIe tic clubs see in it their only chance of
developing ffrSt-Class base ball talent The
following letter was received at The Star
Office and shows how the wind blows:
" nat mas become OF the proposed city
league? Would like to hear from parties
Interested. The writer has personally been
connected with city leagues in the western
cities They have been a success, not only
financially, but have been the means of de-
veiopirg good players. one of the Senator's
coming pitchers credits the city league for
his knowledge of the American game. The
public takes kindly to such an organiza-
ton and the interest manifesto ted is great. -
The writer OF the above no doubt has in
mind the great success of the Chicago City
League which furnished fully dozen play
erS for the western lea CUES last year, and
one or two advanced to the major league
the coming season. Washington possesses
an abundance of base ball talent, but 1t re-
Guires the opportunity to be developed.
The Sunday question is far from settled
in Cleveland. Enthusiastic fans in that
city have offered to bet large sums OF
money that the Spiders will be playing
Sunday games before the season is a month
old, but they should go slow. If President
Robson is compelled to go back to Sunday
games to make profits 1t is big chance
that the Spiders will be playing in differ
ent city in 1891. Another thing to he taken
into consideration is the contemplated
street railway deal In Cleveland. If sue
cessfuIly carried out 1t may take Robson
ont of the street railway business, and
with nothing else to do may devote his
time to securing a place for his great base
ball club in city that appreciates the fact
that a successful ball club is a fine adj
named
The oficial organs Of the big league should
not treat too lightly the dissatisfaction ex-
pressed by the minor leagues over the treat
ment received from the former in the way
of drafting players. A prominent ex-ball
player and eX-manager, in speaking about
the matter recently, said that the big league
should bear in mind that there are always
people ready to invest money In base ball
af given the slightest encoura cement in the
way of securing good territory and players.
The Western League has several cities that
would make a strong western wing of a big
league. such Detroit. Milwaukee,, Kansas
City and a second club in Chicago. The
eastern wing would be made up of Buffalo,
Philadelphia, Washington and Brooklyn.
The magnates know very well that there
Rrs men In all the eastern cities named
Ready and willing to organize Il rival league,
and at the first good opportunity will do SO.
The players vii! go where the most money
Is offered-that has been demonstrated