Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-11
BASE BALLIN 1900
Some Of the Changes That May Be
Made.
WASHINGTON IN TIE Big LEAGUE
A Possible Combination of Senators
and Orioles.
MATERIAL FOR STRONG TEAM

The base ball season Of 1899 will soon be
over and then the planning for 1900 will
begin. 1t isn't necessary for one to be in
the business to realize that there will be
many important changes before the UNI
pires call PLAY BALI next spring. The
magnates have several very difficult prob
lens to solve, not the least of which is to
retain the National League intact and save
it from the inroads of rival plotters.
Everybody at all interested in base ball
has come to the conclusion that, although
the twelve-club agreement has two years
more to run. this season will wind 1t up,
and that next year President Young will
prepare his schedule for eight clubs only.
That the magnates themselves have reach
ed this conclusion. individually at least,
there can be no longer any doubt.
How. then. can the reduction be accom-
plished without injury to league base ball
Is the first thing that will occupy their at
tention. Naturally, they will endeavor to
so arrange matters as to hold fast the
franchises in the cities that are to be
dropped, presumably sanctioning the for
nation Of a secondary league, which will
include the four cities to be dropped from
the league and four additional cities. This
new association will, of course, be under
the protection of the National League, oc-
cupyfng the same position as the old Amer
lean Association. In no other way can the
franchises be protected, the standing of the
league maintained and the efforts OF the
rival league frustrated.
Where Washington Stands.
III the changes which are bound to occur
the question of most interest to the local
public is what position Washington will
occupy on the new base ball map. 1t Is
confidently asserted by those In closest
touch with the powers that be that what
ever happens Washington will retain her
position in the big league Soden, Hart,
Freedman Brush and Robson have at var
ious times, so it Is said, expressed 1ndlvid-
ualy their belief that Washington is too
good ball town to be dropped, and there
is reason to fear that they will think
differently when they have to act collect
lively. And there is gainsaying the fact
that what these magnates decide upon will
be done.
Won't Stand n Tail-Ender.
Washington's record as the home Of a
losing team is phenomenal. and there Is no
telling how successful winning team at
National Park would prove. The public
has decided upon one thing. however, viz:
That losing team can be supported here
no longer. In other words, If the season
should open with Washington in the league
and represented by team no stronger than
has worn the Senatorial uniform for the
past half dozen years, Mr.. Wagner, or
whoever may be behind it. may as well
make up his mind to lose some money.
Washington will stand a good deal, but
she has about reached the limit
Cities to Be Dropped.
The question Of what cities will be drop
ped Is already being widely discussed
Everybody seems to have picked out three
that are sure to go-Baltimore, Louisville
and Cleveland-and there is lots of specu-
lation about the fourth. If Washington's
position is assured it looks to outsiders
very much as if Brooklyn might be picked
as the loser. 1t would seem strange that
the city represented by pennant winners
should be in danger of being LETT. But
when it is remembered that Brooklyn oc-
cupies her place on Sufferance only, tnal
she is dividing the patronage tnal rishl-
fully belongs to New York proper. 1t does
not seem unreasonable to suppose that the
magnates will do something to pacl1y
Freedman and give New YORK the STRONG
team that she deserves. They all know
that a winning club in New York means
more money for all Interested
A Good Consolidation.
They may fix it any way they choose
by consolidating Brooklyn and New YORK
or Louisville and New York. What inter-
ests Washingtonians is what will be done
with Washington While consolidation Is
being considered there doesn't seem to De
any good reason why Washington and Bal
timore shouldn't consolidate. Suppose, for
ir stance Washington and Baltimore shouid
pool their issues, Washington to own half
of Baltimore and Baltimore to own nan
of Washington. the Wagners would own
only half of the Washington club, but their
property would be nearly twice as valuable
and they would own half the Baltimore
franchise, which would be of considerable
value for the new association, ana enough
good payers left after Washington hao
taken the pick of the two clubs to form
very strong team in the association. Every
one realizes that McGraw and. Robinson are
the Baltimore club. Without them Balti-
| more would be low second DIVISION teail
| and when it Is remembered that Wash
ington is the only city except Baltimore
that these two men would play In, because
| of their business associations, consoida-
ton of Baltimore and Washington does not
appear beyond the bounds of possibility.
A Winning Team.
What team could be made from these
two clubs! Here is one that would be
| well up in the race: Kittson, McGinnity,
Howell weighing, Dneen and Evans, pitch
ersers; Robinson, Kittredge and McManus,
catchers; MeGann, first base; Demontre-
willie, second base; McGraw, third base;
Padden, short stop; Sheckard, left field;
Mercer, center field; Freeman, right field,
and Slagle, substitute. We wouldn't ask Tor
| a better third baseman or better manager
than McGraw. Perhaps such a team as
| that wouldn't attract crowds to National
Park!
While considering possibilities might
go still further. In case Brooklyn should
| go by the board, what would become of
Mr. Hanlon? Doubtless that long-headed
individual has asked himself the same ques-
| ton, and If so. what is more natural than
that the scheme outlined above should meet
with his approval. Why couldn't he land
as part owner and manager of the Wash
ington club?
This is only one of the many things that
are liable to happen before the birds sing
again. and everybody is entitled to as many
guesses as he wants to make.
BOARD WOULD NOT RECONSIDER.