Evening star., 1898-01-29

to the Cincinnati club. but from q contrary
point OF view. The REDS have generally
secured splendid start by going against
weaker western clubs at the beginning of
the season, but should their opponents be
one OF the strong eastern clubs the chances
are dead against the usual splendid start
on being secured. As q money maker the
arrangement cannot help but be a success.
and for this reason there Is more
than Q probability that the plan will be
adopted.
Now that the Temple cup series has been
abolished, President Freedman of the New
York club has set the other clubs guessing
by Offering his men purse of 5000 II they
come In first or second In the championship
race the coming season. If other strong
teams fail to offer some inducement to the
players to strive for victory throughout the
season the chances are that New York
would have the sympathy of the other
teams, for ball players would not break
their necks to beat cut lot of fellow play
ers who stood chance OF landing 5000.
The Boston directors talked the matter
over short time ago and decided to make
a good substantial offer to their players
next season. No definite sum will be namea
until the season Is well under way. but 1t
is safe to predict that the Beaneaters will
receive as much for coming in first next
season as they got out Of the Temple cup
games last fall, and probably not much
less for making the fight good enough for
second place. There is little doubt that all
the way from 5000 to $4,000 In prizes.
1t would mean more for Boston and Balti-
more to offer S., COO than for Louisville or
st. Louis to offer $4,000. The former, of
course, stand a good chance Of having to
pay out the money, while the tail-enders
could counterfeit coin without the
chance Of protest. The Messrs. Wagner
have intimated to their friends in Wash
ington that they will not be behind the
push" when prizes are to be given to the
players for bettering their clubs standing.
but in addition to a large prize for the first
position, the prizes will run down the scale
for second, third and fourth position.
Something like 5000, $1,000. $4,000 and
81 600 for first, second third and fourth
positions, respectively, will be about the
figure, and ]. Earl was figuring on paying
out at least 81 600 to his men at the end of
next season when he was In Washington
on his last flying trip.
Gossip of the Game.
With Carsey and B.erbauer back with
the st. Louis team, and the players work.
ing in harmony unGer a congenial leader.
the placing of that team at the end of
next season will be difficult matter. The
club is certainly stronger than it was last
season, and the first steps made by Secre-
tary Muckenfuss would Indicate that all
the men will be satisfied as to salaries.
If Anson is pushed off of the Chicago
pay roll the Colts will be arother club hard
TO fOCale. mere IS no question: dpOut tHe
ability of Anson, but when it came down
to cases it was simply question that
the players would not do their best under
the grand old mans leadership. The ma
terial Is there. and If Tommy Burns can
get 1t going the Colts will undoubtedly cut
wide swath in the championship race.
Robinson and McGraw's bowling alleys
in Baltimore are turning in a clear profit
OF $1,000 a month Thl billiard tables
that cost in the neightorkood of 81. 400
have been taken out of the second story
room, ard steel alleys are being put in for
the Baltimore City Bowling League Rob-
II son has given it out that he will be back
in the game next season, and his appear
ance indicates that he is enjoying perfect
health.
The "Phillies'" infield for next season
has about been decided upon In Lajoie,
first: Nash. second: Cross, short, and
Elberfield third. With Delehanty, Cooley
and Thompson or Dusty Miller in the
outfield the club looks strong, but It is still
weak In its twirling department-weaker,
in fact, than 1T was last year.
George Davis is i'm favor of abolishing
the bunt. 'rhe very fact that few men
can bunt successfully is to my mind an
argument that the bunt would never be
missed. 1t is not a pretty play to watch
not as pretty as plays that would be made
II there were no bunt," says he