Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-31
MILFORD BASE BALL.
Situation Perplexing to the Cen
trail Mass. Association.
Town Today Looked Upon as a Doubtful
Factor Unless There is a Change
Of Heart There.

The base ball situation in Milford, so
rar as the Central Massachusetts Asso-
citation is concerned, is decidedly per-
picking to those directors Of the associ-
alton who have been there to look over
the ground. Upon the occasion of their
first visit week or so ago, Milford
seemed inclined to desire admission into
the association, and waxed enthusiastic
over the prospects.
But when President Dowd and Direc-
tors CANCEL and McManus went down
70 the town Wednesday morning, they
found that there had been a change in
sentiment. Those who We're clamoring
for admission into the association were
not so enthusiastic. They were not so
sure, either, that Milford was going to
support a team this year. They We're un-
willing to make any promises.
The result is that today Milford is
looked upon as decidedly doubtful and
unless some change of heart comes over
the base ball enthusiasts of the town it
is likely that the directors will report at
the association meetipo Saturday after
noon, that Milford should be placed upon
the list of blasted hopes and unfulfiled
expectations.
The principal trouble seems to be that
there are too many factions in the town
for the good of the game. The factions
are not very active at present, presum-
ably for the lack of any definite organiz-
alton. The Y. M. G. A. there has already
voted to put a team in the field, but has
no idea of coming into the fold Of the as
sociation. Town Clerk Lang, who prac-
tically ran the team last year, is out of
active base ball this year. Others who
want team lack the necessary where
withal to set the ball rolling
In the opinion of those who have visit
ed Milford in the interests Of the asso-
citation, the most available man in the
town is Proprietor Tohm Of the William
House. He could easily secure all the
the backing necessary and has had eX-
perience in running a team. He frankly
told the Worcester men, however that
he did not see his way clear to devote
the necessary amount of time in getting
team started. Pressure may be brought
to bear upon him between now and Sat
urday, and if Mr. Tobin gives a favor
able answer, Milford viii be in the
leagle for keeps, and will see the season
through, for Tobin is not the sort of a
man to drop thing when once he has
taken hold
Thursdays visit was not without its
amusing features to the directors, dis
appointed as they were that the out
the young bloods of the town, with
neither experience nor money, offered
some gratuitous suggestions that made
the minor league magnates smile in
Wardly if not openly.
These embryonic Sodens and Hanlons
believed that Milford might go into the
league if a game could be played there
every Saturday afternoon; and if some
man of national reputation, like Gan
zell, for instance, was at the head of
the combination. But to play any
games out of town on Saturday would
be dealing the death blow to the ma
tional pastime in Milford. M CANCEL
jokingly remarked that perhaps he
would try his luck there If no one else
was willing to stand at the helm This
suggestion was taken seriously, ands he
was told that by good management he
could probably pay expenses ana at
the same time have the honor OF con-
trolling the Milford team.
The Milford Daily News fathers the
following item in its Wednesday after
noon issue, which is interesting if true:
The fact that Milford will not take out a
league franchise does not Indicate that
there is no interest In the sport here this
season. On the contrary, the demand for
a team is more spirited than ever, and
the town will be in the game with a club
that will take its place at the front of
semi-professional teams in this part of the
state.
Negotiations are now pending with a
responsible person who knows base hall
like a book to take hold of the matter
here and push it. He has been assured
terested in the game, and there is little
doubt that he VIII accept their PROPOSE
ton. For the present the name of this
person must be withheld.