The sun., 1897-05-17
HITCH OVER NEW GROUNDS.
WHY BROOKLYN HAS NOT BEEN
ABLE TO SECURE THEN.
omcinis or . Trolley Road Refuse to Assist In
Making unprovements-The Property us
Close to Ole Washington Pnrk-Reccrds OF
the New Yorh and UroOklyn PLAYERS,

Omcinis or . Trolley Road Refuse 70 Assist In
Making umprovesnents-The Property u
Close to OId washington Park-Records OF
the New Work and Brookiyn Players.
A great many baseball cranks over tho bridge
are anxious to know whether new grounds will
be secured this year by the Brooklyn Club For
the past month tho club officials have been nom
committal on the subject, but they have been
making n strong endeavor to close negotiations.
A few inside facts may be timely just now. in
view Of the eagerness of tho public to learn the
exact state Of affairs.
Some time ago THE Sun announced that Byrno
and Abell had found site, but that there was a
hitch over the exorbitant rent demanded by the
owners of tho property. Later It was learned
that the rent question had been amicably settled
but that there was some difficulty over the OK
penses to be incurred by the building Of stands
and fences This latter trouble is still the cause
OF the non-complotion Of the deal.
Tho site for the now grounds as selected by
Byrne and Abell, is the property bounded by
Third and Fourth avenues and First and Third
streets, and owned by tho Ltchfield estate. 1t
is northwest OF tho old Washington Park
grounds and Is spendidly adapted for ball play
ing. Tho Litchhelds have agreed to lease the
grounds to tho club on the most reasonable
terms. As It would cost in the neighborhood of
$50, 900 for stands and other fixtures and as the
club is not in tho best financial shape because of
tho differences between Abell and tho minority
stockholders. efforts have been made to induce
tho trolley roads which run in close proximity
to the grounds TO bear some Of the expense.
Tho Brooklyn Heights road. which operates
the Third avenue line, was first approached on
tho subject and the officials expressed willing
ness to subscribe generously, providing the club
could get the Nassau road, which manages the
Fifth avenue line. to do likewise. In order that
both roads might be equally benefited by the
location of the club the above site. Byrne
and Abell agreed to build their main entrance
on the southeast corner of Fourth avenue and
Third street, so that passengers on both lines
would be compelled to walk one block each way.
In this maner both roads would receive the bene-
fits from the bulk of the crowds attending the
games.
When the proposition was made to President
johnson of the Nassau road, who was once a
baseball magnate and is still an enthusiast, he
deal has been temporarily Blocked It is under.
II time, especially i the Bro9Eiyyps play good
ball on the present Western trip. with tho in
sport has regained all OF its former popularity.
and there does not seem to be question of doubt
that the new grounds will receive big patron
The New Yorks increased their batting aver
age nine points last week and their opponents
local players % figures were @ Increased i from from .sis
1S ne banr adn
creased three points Barnie's pitchers allowed
the opposing players to better their record
This week the New Yorks will meet tho Pitts
buIgs g, and Geveisnds ea While % %Rsookyn wiz
the two clubs up to May Is inclusive follows: "
NEW YORK-BATTING.