Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-10
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS
Western Base Ball League Starts Out
Under Fl1ttering Conditions.
CIRCUIT ALREADY INCLUDES SIX CITIES
Possibili;y that minneapolis nnd st.
Paul Way CompIetc List-Indicn-
tions Are that Omaha VIII lie
n Lender in the Leuguc.

The launching OF the new Western League
OF Professional Base Ball Clubs could no
have been accomplished under more favora-
Bile circumstances than those surrounding
Ito inception at the preliminary meeting for
organization held in this city last Monday
7. J. Hickey, the leading spirit in western
base ball circles, was more than enthused
at the interest evinced in the organization.
lie stated that a professional league haG
never been formed under more flattering
conditions.
Five cities were represented at the meet
ing-Omaha, st. Joseph, Lincoln Sioux City
aud Denver. The representatives were unani-
nous in the assertion that LEGAL conditions
In each of their cities were never so ripe
for base ball as they will be next season.
While there has been no professional base
ball in any Of these cities during the past
two years, this very fact has contributed
most largely to the demand for a first class,
article OF ball next season. Enthusiasm in
the national game, instead Of waxing luke
warm during the period of inactivity, has
become decidedly apparent and warm sup
porters OF the game furnished the leaders
who represented the various cities in the
meeting, promises of all necessary financial
backing. The five cities represented were
admitted into the league as charter mem-
bers. The sixth city to be accepted the
same footing was DeS MoineS The Iowa
capital was not represented at the meeting,
but Mr.. Hickey and Mr.. Peters, the Sioux
City base ball maguate, were familiar with
the situation in that city, and on their
recommendation Des Moines was admitted
to membership.
Thus the league starts out with its circuit
lacking but two cities Of completion. For
the vacant places there are several appli
cants, each presenting good claims for
recognition Undue haste, however, will not
be taken in completing the circuit for the
reason that there is a pronounced possi
bility of Minneapolis and st. Paul being
available for tho remaining two places All
present these cities are members of the
American association-the new name adopted
for last years Western league. In the
general shake-up in base ball circles, which
is bound to occur when the time for the re-
organization of the National league cUnss.
and the subsequent organization Of the
proposed new National association, 1t
is believed that the franchises of both
Minneapolis and st. Paul will be transferred
to some other eastern cities, thus leaving
them out in the cold. Nothing is more nat
ural than to expect that they will then
apply to the Western league for franchises.
With circuit composed of Omaha, st.
Joseph Lincoln, Sioux City, Des Moines.
Denver, Minneapolis and st. Paul the West
league will take place in national base
ball affairs which will be of distinctive i'm
portance and once more the national game
will become leading factor in sporting
affairs Of the middle west
The telephone in The Bee office was kept
merrily going all day Monday. Local base
ball fans were anxious to know regarding