Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-18

GROUNDS TO BE FITTED UP
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SPORT
ING NEWS.
Wheeling fans had scarcely recoy-
cred from the first shock occasioned
byl the City being given the go-bye at
New Castle last Tuesday, when it Is
~annoGnced there is to be base ball here
this sbason, and a first rate article 1t
thatI When Mr.. w. B Howell re-
turndd from the meeting of the Inter
state magnates Wednesday he didn't
look exactly like a man without hope,
b1 it was hardly suspected he had
S&ich a large spicy hunk of good cheer
lfor local patrons of the sport snug
6gled in his sleece as dropped out yes
. terday. But Hr. Howell has brought
the Springfield franchise here, and
even if he did have to so down deep
into his jeans to do it, the fact only
proves he's got the sand to make the
thing a cock-sure go with a big G..
The streak of good luck for Wheel
ing lovers of the game, or, rather, the
success which has rewarded Mr.. How
ellis persistent efforts, caIne about in
this way: When Springfield determined
to stay in the league and so announced
at New Castle, she did it with the evil
dent purpose CT holding the franchise
for an offer from Il or the other Of
the towns wanting it. Mr.. julius
Starns, business manager of the Ohio
club, and his attorney, Ed. Houck,
came direct from New Castle to
Wheeling to dicker with Mr.. Howell.
They wanted to sell the franchise, but
their figures at first were too high and
it took several days talking to reduce
them to a fair basis. Yesterday morn
ing the parties got down to business,
and within an hour the deal was closed
and base ball for Wheeling was no
more a remote possibility, but a GER
tainty. AS stated, the consideration
which wa paid over in cash as soon
as the necessary transfer could be
made, was in the neighborhood of
$1,000.
There comes to Wheeling with the
Springfield franchise as good a lot of
boys as are to be found in the inter-
state league, and Mr.. Howell intends
to fill up the few vacancies that exist
and strengthen other points so as to
insure the club being a top-notcher.
The personnel of the team as it m
: to Wheeling is as follows: Pitchers,
Qnlan, Wells, Scrabell, Poole; catchers,
Lsgge; first base, vacant; sec
[Mazena; third base, Billy
INTERSECTION t stop, Woodlock; left field,
Farrell; center field, Dobbs; right field,
Durrett. The team last season, under
the management of Lew Whistler, fin
lshed second, and with the additions to
be made this year, Wheeling can rea-
sonably be picked as the sWiftest in
the league.
Under the capable direction of the
new owner the fortunes of the club
may be considered secure, but the ac-
tive manager whose experience and
tact has so much to do with the sue
cess of any club is to be a gentleman
who will inspire the confidence of
Wheeling fans and will give prestige to
the laal team wherever his nam is
knowAGEhe negotiations have not
prog ~itd'far enough to justify
tb/ announcement of the new man
IS name, but there are satisfactory
Easons for believing the party in mind
will be landed within the next few
d days. He is thoroughly capable, is
known throughout the Interstate Lea
que as a first rate player and will start
the team off with a flourish that will
create interest throughout the circuit.
The grounds owned by the street car
people on the north end Of the Island
Will NC utiliAeu dSdlu ttiiS year, ana the
company will begin Immediately to put
them in first class shape. The place
will be cleaned up and made neat and
attractive, the ground rolled, fences
fixed and grand stand and bleechers
repaired and made comfortable. The
players are 10 report here the middle
of April, and training will begin i'm
mediately if the weather will permit.
1t is also announced that exhibition
games with teams from the National
and Western leagues will be arranged
for between the 18th and 3Oth of
April.
The Interstate season will open May
LIST, but as schedules have not yet been
arranged, it is impossible to say if
Wheeling will make her initial bow
here or elsewhere. 1t goes without
saying that Wheeling fans would like
to see their favorite take up the sea-
.