The Indianapolis journal., 1897-10-08
WESTERN BALL LEAGUE
TRANSFER OF GRAND RAPIDS CLUB
DISCUSSED BY DIRECTORS.
Sale of the Franchise-MinneapO
Club stocIx-Committee Named to
Plead with Big League.

CHICAGO, Oct. 1.-THE annual meeting Of
the directors of the Western Baseball
League was held in the Great Northern
Hotel here to-day Those present were
President Ban Johnson, Tom Lotus, of Co
lumbus, who was accompanied by Gus
Schmelz. formerly manager Of the Washing
ton National League Club; M. r. Killilea,
of Milwaukee; Charles Comiskey, of st.
Paul; w. H. Watkins representing Indian
apolis; M. p Hayne and c. II. Saulspaugh,
of Minneapolis. Manager Kitchell, of the
Pennsylvania and Ohio Coal Company, of
Minneapolis was also present The ques-
tion as to the disposal of the Grand Rapids
franchise was not taken up officially, but
was discussed informally as Robert Lead
ley, the former owner had not filed official
information concerning the sale of the fran
chise to NJ. r. Hartman, of Des Moines.
There appears to be no doubt whatever Of
the bona fde nature of the sale and it was
generally understood that Mr.. Hartman,
who has plenty of financial backing will
manage the team next year. This will be
officially brought before the board at it's
next meeting, Nov. TO- and will be ratified
In regard to the stock of John Goodenon,
of the Minneapolis Club and now United
State consul at Shanghai Mr.. Kitchell in
formed the board that Goodenon some time
ago mortgaged his half interest in the team
to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Coal Com
pany The mortgage has been foreclosed,
Mr.. Kitchell said. and the company has de-
termined to retain the interest in the club
and be joint owners with Messrs. Hayne
and Saulspaugh This, it is said came as
q disagreable surprise to the latter gentle
men, who have been cheriShing hopes of
securing the coveted stock for themselves.
Two committees were appointed, the COM
mittee on schedule for 1898, which will re-
port at the meeting Nov. 10, and commit
tee to prepare petition to the National
League. This petition will pray for an
amendment to the present drafting rules
giving the minor league clubs two years
protection from the operation of the draft,
instead of one as at present.
The latter committee will be made up of
President Johnson, M. r. Killilea and Mar
Gus Hayne. These gentlemen will go before
the National League board, which Will meet
at Philadelphia Nov. 8, in order to secure
better legislation and arrangements IN re-
gard to the drafting, of players.
On motion of President Johnson it was de-
cided to obtain a mail vote Of all the cities
comprised in the Western League as to the
advisability of holding the annual meeting
Of the league In this city Oct. 2l This Was
done in order that the affairs of the minor
organization would be in good shape when
they were presented to the National League
Nov. g. 1t has always been the custom to
hold the Western League meeting after the
National League is held, but this year the
magnates of the latter league wish that or
der reversed. An Omaha man was at the
meeting trying to negotiate the purchase of
the Grand Rapids franchise. he claimed to
be backed by a syndicate with plenty or
money. Nothing was done, however, in the
matter Omaha is not looked upon with
favor by the magnates as a Western League
city They would prefer to have an East
ern city, such as Toledo, get the franchise,
as that would help TO balance the num-
her of Eastern and Western cities In the
league. Contrary to expectations there were
no exchanges of players.