The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-30
IN v OF N BALL.
PREsAURE BEING ut TO BEAR
ON THE NEW FORK CLUB.

Eearus Sgnrnates want the Local Team TO
Play both In the west and nt H~sme-Presi-
dent Freedman says the Matter Has Not
Been Considered Yet-Othcr Baseball News.
According to undouhtod authority the Sunday
baseball question has become tho most impor.
tnnt matter now under consideration by tho
magnates OF the National League. While II did
not receive public consideration at the recent
League meeting In Philadelphia, IT. Is known
that the problem was universally discussed In
quiet corners and at secret conferences. Ever
since the present twelve club circuit was organ.
isod, the majority Of clubs have played Sunday
ball. In the West these games have grown SO
popular that most Of the clubs derive large
prodts from them. In Cincinnati. Louisville,
Cleveland, st. Louis and particularly Chicago.
Sunday crowds have reached such proportions
that the popularity OF such contests has been
fully demonstrated. Washington, Baltimore
and Brooklyn have always played games on
Sunday in the West, but have not attempted
TIE plan at home.
Tho games have been so largely patronized in
the West that the situation has como TO be re-
earded as OF vital Importance toward the sue
cess OF the League. 1t has been the policy of
the Boston, New York, Philadelphia. and Pitts.
burg clubs ever since they secured franchises in
the League to refrain from playing Sunday ball
OANaSh ~ aeasS - 'No ohio III oil
along that public sentiment in these cities was
90 much against Sunday ball that It would be
suicidal to oven attempt TO play away from
home. but of late years Sunday ball as played
by semi-professional teams in all of these cities
has grown 30 popular that there appears now to
bee demand for the sport. One year ago, when
the question came up at the League meetings
In Chicago and Baltimore, tho big Four
Boston. New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsbure
~ IL Dat a.. 10 IAN NH -
Just the same last season.
That pressure 10 being brought to bear on the
minority by both the magnates Of the League
and the patrons Of tho game cannot DO denied.
There fs not such a demand for Sunday games
In Boston, and that club will undoubtedly re.
main where 1t always has been. But news has
been unofictaliy given out that the Pittsburg
Club. which has never before favored Sunday
bone. It 70 also whispered that the staid old
Philadelphia Club may throw OF prejudice and
days at Gloucester. n. j. John /. Rogers, the
leading spirit in the Philadelphia Club. while
Il over with several other magnates. it is said,
and II he finds that the patrons Of the game
The New York Clubs position is an interest
Ing one. For years Sunday ball has been cried
Neved that the public did not want IL. Yet 1t Is
9 fact that the club every year has received hun.
SuSuS VI IeuucSto lTOm roSpocthplo people WHO
believe that games on Sunday would be any
thing but harmful. Tho wave in favor of the
plan, however, has not influenced the officials
Just yet. They do not want to mako q move
that would prove unpopular, although they are
NJ present being subjected to great pressure to
yield in favor of the sport. Tho various League
clubs want the New Yorks to play Sunday ball
in the West. and 1t is not misstating things to
say that local games on the Polo Grounds, or at
some. place, near by, would prove immensely
popular. The proposed four.trip schedule OF
games, which will undoubtedly be adopted by
the National League next February. is another
argument that is being used why the New
H8rks should play on Sundays in the West.
THESE points have been illustrated to the New
York club, Cut MS yet the officials have not paid
much attention to them. In outside circles the
magnates are anxiously awaiting the clubs de-
cision.. They say that the time has come to an
awer tho demands OF the public. Whether the
: four.trip" schedule win be used as q wedge
wherewith to force the non.Sunday playing
70 generally believed that Pittsburg's change of
'front.' has been due principally to that and also
70 tho demand for Sunday bali. When the above
Facts were recited to President Freedman of the
New York Club yesterday he said:
- really know nothing about the matter.
we have not considered the Sunday ball ques.
tion as yet and may not give it a thought. 1
whether the New York Club will recognize such
demand 10 something l cannot discuss. The
club has absolutely declined to regard the cues.
tion one way or another, although pressure has
been brought to bear on us from all sides"
A:G: Spalding. who controls the Chicago Club,
said when 1t was decided to play on Sundays in
the Windy City:."We arc simply complying
with, the wishes Of the public. The people want
not refuse"