The morning times., 1897-02-21

To the average dyed-in-the-w wool base
ball fan the word farm as applied to
the game, is well understood, but il is
probably rather vague To the general
reader, who mikes UP all sorts of news in
his daily new wspaper menu.
For the information OF this latter class
it is explained that in recent years it has
been the practice OF the National League
clubs to lend financial assistance and
players TO teams in the smaller leagues, IL
being the understanding that whenever
the big club should need reinforcement
that the hands down on the farm could
De called i'll and used.
1t was generally conceded last year that
Baltimore had a farm at Wilkesbarre;
Cleveland, at Fort Wayne; Philadelphia.
with tile Athletics, of the a Atlantic Coast
League; Chicago, at st. Paul; Cincinnati, at
Indianapolis; New York, with the Metro
politans; Louisville, with any club that
would take surplus players off its
hands, and SO on through the list OF
major league clubs, with the single ex-
ception OF Washington.
The Messrs Wagner had no farm for
their Senators and their unique pusiUionin
this respect was a matter of universal COM
Inent in the baseball world. But it is not
TO remain SO any longer Washington if
all reports are true, Will have a kinder
Earten or farm" this year, and it is To-
Gated at Toronto, Canada.
Arthur Irwin will train the understudies
for the Senators in the CanuCk country
and VIII supply the local team with re-
cruits whenever ii becomes plain that
the veterans are waning in their work
The Times stated several days 20 that
appearances indicated the establishment
of a "branch" of the Senators at Toronto,
but the news was not stamped with au-
thcntiCity, fnasmuch as Mr.. j. Earl Wag-
ner, the main spirit of the local club.
had made no statement, privately OF
publicly. in regard TO such move.
1t seems, though, that The Times intima-
tion was correct In substantation, the
BOSTON correspondent of the st. Louis
Sporting News has the following to say
IL the last issue of that paper:
Before the season advances many weeks
1t viii be fully developed that the Toronto
club is part and parcel of the Wash
fneton club, and that il viii be used as
its farm for the. producing of new ma
Ierial TO supply any demand they may
make. The releasing of Catcher McCauley
was only a blind, as the Wasners regard
this ynUngster as one of the best catch
ers in the profession, but with Mcclure
and Farrell III shape, there was no place
for Mccauley, SO he was given to Irwin
in order that he might BE- kept at work
Then, too, the Wagners, through Irwin,
think that they have made a ten-strike in
securing young McGann from the BostOns
the price, $500, being but small consid-
Grafton, as If a higher price had been
placed on him, they would cheerfuIly have
given iU. McGann will be played at first
base. and this is done in case big Cart
wright fails TO hold up his end on the
league team. McGann will be at once
drafted to fill his place, as he is believed
by the WagnerS 10 be a coming player.
An endeavor was also madeto secure for
Toronto. Goeckel, the clever University OF
Pennsylvania player, who last year played
with Wilkesbarre, but as he could not well
be drafted by the Wagners and then re-
leased to Toronto. the idea was abandoned.
ON the TorOntos are two other young play
ers. Casey and Wagner, no relation TO the
maGnate, that many expect to see on the
league teams before the season of 1897
comes TO a close. From this move it would
look asift the WagueTS were casting anchors
to windward and were utilizing every op-
portunity To strengthen their big team at
Washington, and their endeavors are GER
tainly to be commended by the baseball
enthusiast
Another straw that indicated the way the
wind was BLOWN Q in the farm matter was
furnished by the annouE cement that MIR.
Leddy, for years the Messrs. Wagner's
trusted secretary, would have charge If
the Toronto clubs finances. Reading be-
tween the lines this meanUthat Irwin would
handle the players and Leddy the money,
thus insuring the Messrs. Wagner fatis-
factory returns in every way on their under
taking and investment