Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-23
BASE BALL.
will Augusta be Represented in the Pro
posed State league?

10 d very frequent question one
hearS nowadays among the lovers of
the game-of whom there are many
IN TINS vicinity. 1t is a hard one to
answer. 1t all depends on certain
conditions. 1t is well, at the start,
perhaps, to lay down a few plain facts
pertaining to the subject. The ma
uonal game has never been, and prob
ably never will be. a money making
institution here at the Capital. Ii it
pays It's way it is all that it's most san
gulne friends can hope for it. The
chances are that it will not pay it's
way, but that, in order to enjoy this
'eXhllarating sport here, the lovers of
it Will be obliged to contribute a con-
siderable sum of money for it's sup
port in addition to the gate receipts
This is the situation, and lovers of the
game must look it squarely in the face
This community With all it's enthu-
siasm for the game. and with the gen.
erous support accorded by Waterville.
Hallowell and Gardiner, was never
strong enough to carry a team in the
New England League upon anything
approaching a paying basis. There
was always wide margin against the
team between receipts and expenses
which had to be made up by private
cont ibutions. The subscriptions to
the stock of the association We're never
anything else, and We're so understood
by the gentlemen who made them.
The New England League represented
some of the largest cities in New Eng
land. 1t was too fast company for us.
AT no time was it possible for us to
eXpend the money necessary to get a
team that could stand up with the
leaders, for the simple reason that we
had all we could do to pull the team
through at all.
In view of these conditions the fact
that we were able to sustain a team in
this strong league for two successive
seasons and pay every player in full
speaks volumes for the generosity of
the patrons of the game in this sec
ton. Last season We carried our team
through after Portland and Lewiston
had given up the ghost. The people of
the Kennebec valley had a chance to
see some of the fastest ball in the
country, and to enjoy the work of a
number of brilliant players, some of
whom have already made a mark for
themselves in the national league. 1t
was an opportunity appreciated by ali
lovers of sport.
This season there is no chance for
my Maine club in the New England
League. The Western clubs have Civ
IN us the frozen hand. There is talk,
however, of forming a strong State
League. and many people believe that
t would be a success The country is
full of fast young players who are
destined to develop into stars and who
can now be secured at reasonable
figure 1t is not always the team that
costs the most that wins the most
games. The Fall River team of 1895
Vas. next to the Augusta club, the
lowest salaried aggregation in the New
England League and yet it Won the
championship. Two practically I'M
known players, Lajoie and Geier, who
developed with them last season are
both in the National League. But
Ter. Pickett. Doherty. Bean, Kelley and
Newell, were all unknown when they
joined the Remedies. but all of them
became great favorites. and all will
travel in fast company the coming
season.
Inefe Is no reason why q state OF
Maine League should not develop some
Of the best players in the business, and
put up a very fast article of bail.
With a low salary limit strictly adj
hered to, the prospects for its success
would certainly be full brighter than
will be those of the New England
League next season. Such a league
could secure reservation and protection
for its players at a reasonable figure.
We believe that the pool scheme
could be used to advantage in the or
ganization of such a league. Let the
secretary sign upon the recommended
ton of the various members of the
league sufficient number of players
for all the cities of the league. Let
these players be made up by a COM
mittee of the league, of whom the sec
rotary shall be one, into teams which
shall be in the best Judgment of the
committee of equal playing strength
Then let these teams be assigned to