Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-07
FAv0Rs A MAINE LEAGUE.
In Portland They Believe in Letting the Mas.
sachusstts Clubs Go II Alone, il They 80 De-
sirc-Maine Base Ball Wouldn't Be Bad.
portland Argus.l

| notice that the Massachusetts papers
are trying to read Maine out of the New
England Base Ball League. and the man.
a2erial coterie of that section are talking
10 the same purpose. Now 1t strikes me
that 1t is about time for the gentlemen
Interested IN the national game in this
State to assert their independence, and
give all concerned TO understand that
people down this way are not beggars
for representation in an organization
which owes its existence TO Maine pat
ronage. The intimation that our room Is
preferred TO our company should be fol-
lowed by the proper retort and the Mas
sachuselts contingent permitted 10 try
ne experiment Of running tina league
with Maine out of it,
Some OF the sef-constituted professors
OF New England baseballogy announce
mat Portland and Lewiston might be
dtions imposed ana thankfully receive
The small end of everything. These two
cltlcs are not now members of the New
England League, and no move should be
made 70 connect them with ii under the
prevailing circumstances The outlook Is
excellent for a more disastrous failure
than any yet recorded. and If there are
those who are contemplating making APP
plication for franchises they had best dis
miss the idea from their minds at once.
Permit the Massachusetts clique to work
OFT its own destruction gentlemen. and
Maine 3 importance In the New England
League VIII be concusivefy demon
strated.
But we all want base BAH next season.
and the question therefore is how shall
we get it, The best means. ii seems TO
me. Is to be found in a State league.
There are those who say such league
would be unsuccessful; that people who
nave been given the quality Of sport pro-
Vided sby New England League contests
would not patronize the games. Now |
beg 10 differ from that view Of the mat
ter.
The degree of interest to be aroused In
a base bail league depends Oh how evenly
the rivalry prevailing between the places
represented. II would be easy matter
to organize half dozen clubs OF nearer
equal ability than we have had In the
New England League. and there is
stronger rivalry In athletics between
Maine cities than there is between Maine
elites ANA places outside the State. This
being so, Maine State league should
prove more successful than ever the New
England League has been.
The history of the latter organization
has been one of repeated failures pecuni-
arily, and there Is no hope Of the reforms
Needed 10 bring other results so long as
HE prcdominating influence fourishes
There Is q strong probability OF crafty
ing financial returns from the State
league scheme II conducted on business
principles. and ! believe the times are
ripe for "A trial of the project. There are
certainly better prospects for Portland
ard Lewiston in that direction than can
he found to the westward. The State
Polo League viii keep the sporting blood
warm during the winter. and when the
bloom Of spring Is on again the public
pulse viii beat responsive TO a more or
less good natured competition for SUI
pfemAey in that national sport