The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-06
SOUTHERN LEAGUE is SOLID.
THE OWNER OF THE SAVANNAH
FRANCHISE TO ARRIVE SOON.

Relating to the Savannah Club to
He Speedily Arranged for the
Opening OF the seaSon-Mnnager
Weeks-PIaycrs to Report EARLY in
March.
Mr.. John Mcguire, the owner of the Sa-
vannah franchise in the Southern League,
will arrive In Savannah this week, proba-
bly, tomorrow, to take charge of the clubs
affairs and shape matters for the opening
OF the season and the coming of the play
ers. A letter from Mr.. Mcclure received in
savannah yeste rday contained this infor-
nation.
Mr.. Mcclure win establish headquarters
and will begin sending out advance money
to the players. Tickets will be sent out
about the 25th of this month, and the play
ers win be ordered to report between the
LIST and the 18th of March
One of the first matters to be attended
to will be the securing of playing grounds.
There is hardy a doubt that some deal will
be made with the Catholic Library Asso-
citation, the lessees of the c. l.. A. Park
railway company is disposed to help the
club, and it is thought that it will give
some financial assistance. Manager Hus-
ton is still in New Orleans, and will not
accompany Mr.. Mcclure, but will come on
to Savannah in a couple of weeks.
Mr.. Mcclure writes encouragingly OF the
leagues prospects and is hop full for very
successful season. About the Savannah
team he is very loud in his praise, and he
says il is bound to be a winner.
The base bali situation has changed
wonderfully in the last few days. and the
mist OF uncertainty, which has lowered
about league affairs for some time. is
clearing away
If plans, which apparently are well
laid, do not miscarry, there will undoubt
eddy be an eight-club league, with four
Eastern ana four Western cities. the fol-
lowing cities comprising the circuit: Sa-
vannah, Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston.
New Orleans, Mobile, Montgomery and
Birmingham
The announcement made about ten days
ago by the holders of the Atlanta fran
chise that Atlanta would not n,t q cI,h
IN the league was in the nature of a sur-
PRISE 10 President Henry Powers and The
packers OF clubs in the other cities I'm
mediateiy upon learning of the Withjra wal
of Atlanta, President Powers COMMISSION
ed Abner Powell manager of the New
orleans club, to go to Atlanta to confer
with the Atlanta magnates and find oit
positively what their Intentions were
Powell went to Atlanta last week and
told President Meyers of the Gate CITY
Ciub'that unless they took immediate stems
TO sign a manager and team that the
league franchise would be considered can
celled and would be given to other par
tles There were applications for the At
lanta franchise from two responsible base
ball men. either of whom would have put
up the backing for the club
When President Meyers saw that the
franchise was wanted by others IL occur
red to him that it must be valuable piece
of property-which IL doubtless is The
proverbial Atlanta instinct told him that
if this was 50 there was no reason why
the benefit should accrue to persons moi
Atlantians. Why not keep it in the fam
lily? His sporting blood was up, and he
told Powell to go back to New Orleans and
tell President Powers to count Atlanta in
and that she would play her own hand
The four Western cities, New Orleans,
Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham.
were all right. So were Savannah ana
Charleston, which made seven cities, and
only Augusta was lacking 10 make an al
mirable circuit of eight clubs
President 4. w. Passailaigue of the
Charleston Club went to Augusta in com
pany with Frank j. Leonard of Newbury-
port, Mass, manager of some repute in
minor league circles These gentlemen
held a conference with the Augusta base
BAH people. among whom were Col Dyer
of the Augusta street railway and Capt
p. NJ Muiherin, a great supporter of the
national game. Col. Dyer, i'm behalf OF
his railway, agreed to give financial aid
10 the club and Mr.. Mulherin promised
the use Of the park. The balance of the
money needed 10 start the club will be
raised by subscription and IL is said there
will be no trouble whatever In raising the
necessary amount.
j. f. Sheridan of Louisville, who was
signed last year to manage Atlanta in
the proposed Southeastern League, has
again been signed 20 manage the Gate
City team Sheridan Is now in Louisville
and has already signed the majority of
his team. He has an excellent reputa-
ton as a minor league manager, and At
lanta Is fortunate in securing him.
New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah Char
lesion and Montgomery have signed then
full teams Birmingham and Augusta are
the only clubs now wanting players. but
as there Is plenty of good material availa-
bic there will be no difficulty in signing
players.
A meeting of the league will doubtless
be held some time this month or early
next month for the making up of a sched
ule and to arrange for the opening of the
season. The meeting may be held in Ea-
vannah
The playing season will commence about
April 10. Savannah will open at home. IL
IL is possible to so arrange the schedule.
If not, Savannah will open in Charleston.
play three games there and return 90
Savannah for three games with the Sea
guis." The schedule viii be so arranged
that no club will go off al the commence
ment of the season for long trip. maxi
ing II possible for a team TO meet with n
series Of defeats on the road and return
home to find all interest in the game gone
The following Is the standing OF the
clubs in the association league:
Won. Lost. p. c.
Z n n; a. q iA,''..'.'.'.''.' ! .eSS
Y. NJ. II. A. .............. 2 1888
There viii be two games In the associa-
ton league this week. one of them being
the regular scheduled game and the other
being a postponed game from last week.