The evening times., 1899-02-04
GOSSIP OF THE
BASEBALL WORLD
The Usual Ante-SeasOn EX-
change of Opinion.
Suggestions Being Made TO the
Chairman Of the Rules Committee.
DahIen DeaI-The Case Of Man
ager Fred Clarke.

Discussion OF the disruption of the
twelye-club organization is gradually be-
ing abandoned, the subject having become
stale and impracticable. The various base
ball writer's are now turning their atten
tion to the usual ante-season exchange OF
opinions regarding change of the play
ing rules, and many suggestions are be-
ing made to Mr.. Hart, the chairman of,
the rules committee, in response to the
circular letter he has sent out 10 sporting
editors throughout the country. Mr.. Hart
will be so embarrassed with a conflict of
opinions upon this subject that he will be
in more perturbed state of mind than
he at present seems 10 be.
The Times will advance a tip that will
relieve him, il is believed. from further
anxiety in this connection. That is, 10
| Invite to a session of his committee some
| OF the best-known and competent managers
and experienced and capable ball players
now in the service and interview them with
! reference to any proposed changes or
| amendments 10 the rules In this way
| some practical and valuable information
| Will be secured that will promote not only
| interest in the game but assure substantial
and satisfactory results.
Information from such a source would
| be valuable and practicable and decidedly
more reliable than columns of theory and
speculation from writers who receive their
| only inspiration in the press box. EX-
! perience is the creator of success. man
| who knows nothing about the mechanism
| of watch is not a proper person to in
| struct an expert matchmaker as to his
| business
| If 1t is desirable TO change the rules a
too radical departure from established
| customs should be avoided. as an imprac-
| ticable and unsatisfactory change would
be more serious handicap TO players, AMI
more unsatisfactory to spectators than t1e
| rules as they now exist. Organize a joint
high commission. Mr. Hart Send for per-
sons and papers if necessary. and settle
| the matter in businesslike way.
The majority of players who know a
good thing when they see il. majority
of those who have given expression 10
their opinion. say that in the deal Of De
Montreville for Dahlen Hanlon got far the
best of it. Dahlon has but few, if any,
! superiors as a shortstop, is strong re
liable batter and base runner, and withal
brainy artist under all emergencies,
| while his habits are all that could be de-
sired DeMontreville is good hitter. fair
fielder and base runner, but his &c ON
plshments end there. Hanlon seldom
makes an error in his estimate of ball
players ability.
Fred Clarke is stil holding out for more
salary, and Kittridge has come 10 the front
as prospective manager of the Louisville
| club. Freds salary expansion resolution
| was killed in an executive session of the
| stockholders. and the prospects are that the
distinguished player will have the title OF
| manager" stricken from his contract, and
| Will in the future be known as plain Fred
Clark. the ball player, unless he. at very
| early date offers and can have adopted a
| substitute for the main proposition.
One thing that excites the indignation
of an alleged baseball correspondent and
/ causes him TO say mean. revengeful. and
| untruthful things about the manager OF a
club is The fact that his application for an
| annual pass has been turned down.
| "Scrappy' Joyce never had a superior
at third base as a blocker of base runners
| When he planted himself for a shock he
was like a stone wall. and was fearless
and seemingly ohlivious of any danger
from the sharp steel spikes with which he
| was threatened. With his throwing arm in
condition there are few third basemen in
| the League today his superior Joyce, has
for many years been prominent character
upon the diamond, but gradually approach
ing the horizon of his decline. With all
his faults and eccentricities-and he had
many-Joyce possessed some commendable
virtues as ball player. He was enthusi-
astic in his work always played TO win
and had the faculty of inspiring energy anC
confidence in other members of the team
game was never over with him unit
| the last man was put out His relegatior
| from the New York Club does not neces-
sarily mean that he will retire from th'
business. 1t is more than probable tina
he will find place in some minor organi
| zation as manager or captain.