The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-20
DENVER AND CHICAGO.
Two New Towns in Western League
Next Year.

Several weeks ago the Journal published
the fact that Denver would be represented
in the Western League next year. At the
time much doubt was expressed on all sides
as to this outcome. President Colt alone
stood out in the opinion that Denver had
more than a chance. Charley Kelley, old
time third-baseman, returned from Denver
last Sunday night and rejoined the Mime
apolis team at Kansas City. In a CONVEX
sation last night he told the story of his
trip and the purpose he had in view in max
ing it.
Before I went to Denver said he, Il
had been told by Tom LOTUS to look over
the field there and sound the solid men of
the town as to the way they would re-
ceive some one of the present Western
League teams if transferred there. When
1 reached Chicago on my way to Denver 1
had a talk with President Johnson about
my trip, and he told me to go over the
situation there thoroughly and see what
kind of deal 1 could make for either the
ST. Joe the Columbus team. In talking
over the situation with him the objection Of
most of the clubs to the town on the score
of mileage was talked Of, and Johnson said
to me: If the people there are ready for
League team and show the proper amount
Of financial backing we will take care of
the mileage question: l went to Denver
and found the town crazy for baseball. L
saw ABOUT forty OF the best citizens and first
sounded them on the proposition of transfer
ring the ST. Joe team there. While anxious
to see League ball, they set up howl on
this oner and said their only hope for big
business lay in locating a iirst-class team
there. Then spoke of the Columbus team
and they went wild with enthusiasm. The
scrub teams to draw the crowds. l played
IN game there between TWO teams OF anna
teurs from the railroad shops, and we had
l5O0 people out. They wanted me to stay
and play last Sunday, and | promised to do
so, but Wilmot telegraphed me 10 join the
team and / could not stay. | told my wife,
however. to watch the game Sunday and
write me what the attendance was. They
expected 1900 people out and said that was
SO the thing is settled, as much anything
can be before the meeting of the League
TINS ran. that the Columbus team will go to
Denver next year During the time LOTUS
was making dates in other cities, because
of poor business in Columbus, l asked them
in Denver If they would take the team and
finish out the season with it. They refused
to do this however. saying that they wanted
q team to be, proud of and take a local in
terest in, and wanted it to start the season
there and be, in fact as well as in name
the Denver team. The st. Joe team is
booked for Chicago next year That much
into the new team ii is impossible to say
but the chances are the number will be few.
Hart will turn over all the surplus players
now on the Chicago team to the Western
League team and claim all the others he
may need: Both the Denver and Chicago
teams will have to be good ones to draw
the crowds. and you can be sure they will
be. This will give the League what 1t has
needed for years-eight good, well-backed
clubs.
Another thing the people seem to over
look in the make UP of the Western League
for next year is the successor of Indian
apols. While nothing has been said off,
cially as to this town going out of the
League, / have 1t from people who know
what they are talking about that the pres
ent Indianapolis team will play its next
years games in Cleveland. Several men who