The evening times., 1897-02-25
BASEBALL KINGS GATHER
The League Official Convened in
Baltimore This Afternoon.
RUM0RS OF DEALS AFL0AT
There Is General Impression That
Hot Fight VIII Be Precipitated
Over New Rules Newspaper Men
Asked to Give Their Views on the
Proposed Changes.

Baltimore, Md, Feb 25-If there is to
be knitting and warlike doings at the spring
meeting of the National Baseball League,
the magnates are pa grand masters OF the
art OF descending. The atmosphere this
morning in and around Rennert's Hotel
where the meeting VIII convene this afte--
noon, was as gentle rs though President
Hanlon' : prediction OF a perfectly lovely"
time was sure to be verified.
Many of the ma guatcs arrived last night,
accompanied fn some instances by manag-
ers, captains and newspaper men. Others
came III this morning. There were greet
ings and handshakingS and a lot OF good
natured bantcring among the men who
hold practically absolute rover over the
destiny of Americas great national game,
but the business that called them together
was not discussed. 1t seemed. in fact, 10
be laid aside by general consent until
the seal Of secrecy could be removed in
privacy behind locked doors this after
noon.
The arrivals include Frank De Haas RObi-
son, of Cleveland, higHspirlu sd and gen ial as
ever; John T. Brush. the cool and astute
president of the Cincinnati club; c. H.
Byrne and F. A. Abel. of brooklyn, the
latter being accompanied by his wife and
niece, Mrs. Harris; A. II. Soden and W. II.
Conaut. the BOStOnesel who have made bar
rels of money out of baseball at the Hub;
Andrew Freedman. of New York, accom-
panied by his attorney, E. f. Mccall, and
by his manager and captain. Joyce; John
B. Day, of New York: President N E.
Young. with his schedule carefully locked
in his satchel and guarded; Messrs. Rogers
and Reach. OF Philadelphia, and the Wag
ners, OF Washington.
James A Hart, of Chicago. came in late
this morning. He had probably been put
ting in time in Philadelphia trying TO ar
range adeal for Third BasemanNash, whom
Chicago Is said to be very anxious to get,
so that Everett may be free TO play in the
field. This is an important deal that is
looked for at this meeting.
President Harry Pulliam left his home
city, Louisville, some days ago. He, too,
is suspected of having been on Stillhunt for
players somewhere He Joined the crowd
lust before the meeting was called To
order.
Among the deals whicha are likely to occur
besides those mentioned, is one between
Brush and Won der Ahc, Brush giving Hol-
liday for big Roger Connor. 1t is not un-
likely, either, that New York may make
Some deal-either the Rusie -Clements-Tay
lor deal, or a deal for good left fielder
Boston seems out of the deal, as Manager
Frank Selee is not at the meeting.
The meeting will be the most interesting
and important of the year.
There is to be adopted the schedule,
changes are to be made in the playing
rules, the national board of arbitration
will adjust complaints, and deals for
players are likely TO harpen. In view of
the many negotiations between some of
the magnates during the past two months,
it NAV well be expected that the deals
will be sensational.
While the baseball men were non-cOm-
initial concerning the proposed amendments
to the league rules, it seems likely that the
bulk of the amendments will be defeated.
MIR. Brush, who wields considerable in
fluence. is said to favor coaching. Man
ager Hanlon will favor it; Mr.. Byrne seems
tolean that way; Mr.. Freedman has always
favored aggressive playing, and soden said
some time ago that he believed coaching
added to the interest. 1t will arouse a
lively discussion.
IT, was said that when the rules were
discussed some of the newspaper men
would be invited to give their opinions on
the proposed changes.
1t was the aim Of all the magnates to
assure everybody that there was to be
no especial troubles at the meeting. Mr..
Charles H Byrne said
at has always been my idea that these