The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-21
rA-LAcK OF INTEREST.
Speculation as to the Falling OFF I'm
Attendance at Baseball Games

The falling off in attendance at baseball
games Throughout the country has created
considerable talk as to the cause of the
strange state of affairs. The war is popu-
larly supposed to be the prime reason for
the lack of interest in the game, but when
several cities in the country are making
money at this time many persons use it as
an argument that the war is not wholly to
blame for the poor attendance
Rowdy ball playing, constant defeats and
the personal unpopularity of some managers
are ascribed by some as better reasons for
the dwindling crowds in cities which ordi-
narily turn out great throngs. The claim
has been made by enemies of John r. Brush
that the lack of interest is due to the work.
ings of the Brush rule with respect to
rowdy players. 1t is said this has the effect
of deadening the game and while in such
cities as Baltimore, where the fans, have
been educated to the game as played by
McGraw, Doyle and Others this may have
affected the attendance, glance at the
statistics for this year will convince any
one that such is not generally the case but
rather the opposite.
In the Western League the towns where
the anti-rowdy movement has been adopted
the teams have been making money. at
least to a greater degree than those towns
where rowdy behavior has been the custom
In Kansas City, where the game has been
cultivated by Jimmy" Manning along
decent lines. the crowds are larger than
ever, and the same may be said of this CITY.
though not to the same extent. The slump
in Minneapolis can be attributed directly 10
bad management. The team is little better
IMAM man an amateur aggregation, and of
nnf drux r..
lne ei1ect OF poor business has been felt II
Is equally true that disappointed hopes in
lhe way or transferring OF players, to the
weakening of the teams or poor manage
ment is the real cause for the bad business.
IN the pig League there are stronger indica-
ions OF the truth of this reasoning
The Boston club has always been a money
maker and is deserving of profits in view Of
the splendid playing of the present Ieague
champions. Soden, Billings and. Conant, the
famous Boston triumvirate, believe in Civ
ing good, clean ball to the patrons and have
tolerated nothing else. Not a month ago
h Ions OF the Bostons. was suspended for
three Gays for kicking by Umpire Cush-
man. President Soden Immediately wired
Manager Selee asking why Long had been
permitted 10 violate the rules and instruct
Ing the other players that If any of them
should be suspended as was Long thev
would be severely dealt with by the club
such methods have earned the respect and
support OF the Boston public, and the clever
ball playing of the champions is appre-
ciated by the cranks, who are still turning
The Chicago club is another money maker
The fight made by President Hart in favor
Of clean bali has also had the desired effect.
Tor the team receives the support of the
most respectable element in Chicago. The
players have kicked some, but not as a
regular custom, and no disgraceful out
breaksShave occurred to date.
Another successful club financially is the
one located in Cincinnati and owned by
John t. Brush, who has fought hard to es-
tablish clean sport without kicking and
obscenity. 1t is evident that Brush is prac-
ticing what he breaches. He has enforced
the rules against rowdyism to the letter. vet
his team under Buck Ewing's management
still leads the League race and continues
by any means that the Cincinnatis occupy
their present position, They have a strong,
well-balaneed team cleVerly managed and
earnestly supported by the press and pub
lie. The members of it have done nothing
to bring their club into disrepute. and no
teams visiting Cincinnati have complained
of the treatment accorded by either the
something in the nature of triumph for
Brush that his team, closely obeying the
rules, Is making money for him while others
less ohservant of the reforms are not doing
so well.
The Pittsburg club is another profitable
organization in the League. and like the
others, ii has advocated clean sport IL
ager. Watkins, fined his second baseman,
Padden, who was put out of a game for
kicking, 49, and the latter deserted the
team, only TO repent and come back i'm a
few weeks. This bit of discipline had the
desired effect. for the PittsbuTgs have tried
Watkins has also succeeded in developing