Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-27
LOCAL BASE BALL.
Magnates of the County Teams
Talk Over the Situation.
Some Want County League, But Others
Do Not Believe IN Any Permanent Or
ganzation and Desire Only
Mutual Understanding.

county base ball clubs was made Satur-
day afternoon, when representatives Of
u clubs met at Kennedy's Hotel. The
consensus of opinion favored the organ
ifiation of a six or not more than an
eight club league. Such an association,
in the minds of the delegates, would
prove a paying venture, as such a limit
ed organization could select its members
and allow only strong teams with good
financial backing into membership.
To sound the feeling throughout the
county, it was decided to call a meeting
of clubs, and those who responded to the
call and were present at the meeting
were: Catholic Young Mems Lyceum,
Worcester, ri F. O'Reiney, John c.
Cody and John H. O'Connor; Worcester
H. RosenfieId; Worcester j. D. Lane
and o. w. Leyden; Westboro, c. B. Nc
Manus, j, F. Hill and ]. H, OPConnell;
Spencer, A. R, Cole and James p. Ian
nigan; Webster, James H. Conway;
Marlboro, G. H. Spaulding, E. f. Allen
and Andrew Elliott; Grafton, j E. Nor
GROSS and c. f. Rice; Clinton, Frank H
Connaughton; Fitchburg, Frank A.
Bliss. Patrick F. Shea, Thomas H. Pow
ers and Fred Goodnow; East Douglas,
Edward E. Young; Milford, Charles
Camel. The meeting organized with
the choice Of Charles F. Rice of Grafton
as chairman and ]. H. O'Connen of
Westboro secretary.
The chairman said that before the
meeting got down to business it would
be well to sound the feeling, and called
upon Manager G. H. Spaulding of Marl-
boro to speak on the matter He said
ne would favor league of six or eight
clubs, which meant business. With such
a league a series of two games would be
played with each club, and if a third
was necessary to settle any dispute it
could be played after the close of the
season, which he thought would be
from June L to September j. He thought
it well, if a league were formed, to make
rules preventing a manager hiring away
players from another team and thus
protect the teams He also believed the
players should receive protection 1t
would be well to legislate against the
hiring of league men, as in his opinion
such practices did harm to the game.
without professional players the teams
would be evenly matched.
J. p. Norcross of Grafton said he
would like to see rules drafted to govern
the hiring and holding of players, but
was opposed to any legislation barring
college or New England league PLAYERS.
u. Z. Young of East Douglas said he
mad not talked the matter over and was
at the meeting to ascertain the senti-
ment. j. Fl. Conway of Webster said base
pail had been talked over for the past
two months in Webster, and believed
the prospects were good for a paying
team. The outlook was so bright that in
stead OF an association of 25. three or
four were going to handle the club in
MS town. He believed in getting up a
paying schedule, as no manager wants
10 put in a team for the glory of his
town or amy players on the team. He
was almost in favor of a salary limit
He didn't believe in allowing league
players on any team, and favored an
agreement against hiring players from
one another
T. A. Bliss of Fitchburg said he rep-
resented the Domestic Club which has a
membership of so and has been prepar-
ing for the coming season since Sep
tember. He favored league as 1t
would be an easier matter to get dates,
but If no league was formed and II
Fitchburg was not admitted TO league,
II one was organized, the city would be
represented by a club. He was op-
posed to engaging league players as
they hurt the game and believed the
clubs should be protected against
another club engaging their men A. R.
Cole of Spencer, T. F. O'Reilley of the
c. Y. M. Lyceum spoke in a similar
vein. ]. d. Lane, who is one of the
men interested in the organization of a
club in Worcester, said he and his as
sociates had strong backing and have
already negotiated for players. His
team would likely play on the oval
f. H. Connaughton of Clinton said he
would in Of
this year, as ne intended devoting time
to his business. He was interested in
the game and believed a team in Clin-
ton would be success. The game will
be Well patroniZed all over Massaehu-
setts this year, as when Boston wins
the pennant the patronage is always
LIBERAL Charles CAMEL said he was
away from Boston, and would not en-
gage with any club this year. as he
wanted to be free. He Favored a league
and intended to look over the field in
Milford and, if he thought it fertile
ground, to put in a team from the town
7. b. McManus of Westboro spoke in
faVor OF an eight-club league and for
protection for players. His town was
IN good condition for the game, and a
team there would be strongly backed.
In reply TO query, Manager Spauld-
ing of Marlboro explained the protec-
tion the league would receive under the
national agreement. Under class f,
team could hire men from another or
ganlzatlon by the payment of $50 to the
club. All men engaged would be Obliged
to sign contracts, and thus college men
would be barred, as they cannot sign
a contract without becoming profession
al players. Mr.. Camel again rose and
said it might be well to sign full team
with the exception of the battery, and
leave that open.
A. Rosenfield, who is interested in an
other Worcester team, moved a commit
tee of five be appointed to draft rules
and bylaws for a league. Messrs. Gan
eel, Conway, Bliss McManus and Rice
was the committee The committee win
meet week from Monday. and after
drafting the rules a copy will be mailed
to each club represented Saturday with
the announcement of the next meeting
The chairman suggested that at the next
meeting all delegates be able to show
the exact position of their teams, so the
other delegates will know Just where
they stand. The suggestion was adopt
ed and passed as a motion, The meet
ing then adjourned
1t is likely that some obstacles will
be found in the formation of a league
as 1t is known that at least two clubs
represented Saturday will not ioin a
league. The managers believe il moor
policy to bind themselves for the sea-
son to play certain teams and think
more money can be made by playing in
These clubs are Grafton
and East Douglas. The idea of these
managers is a number of clubs to form
an association solely for the protection
of clubs and players, and for no club in
the agreement to engage players from
another without first getting consent to
approach the player. 1t is likely the
next meeting will be a week from Sat
urday, when some definite plan will be
laid out
Mr. Ward T, smith of ET,.adar;o oI,s.+ -.