The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-16

The most important result of the ag-
tation of an American association"
will be the continuance of a twelve-club
circuit by the National league, says an
editorial writer in the Sporting News.
There is not a remote possibility of the
major league magnates surrendering
any part of their territory to a rival
organization or of their entering into a
compact with any new association SIM
liar to that which existed between the
National league and AmeMcan associa-
ton prior to their war. The greatest
problem that ever confronted the gov
erning body of the game is the reor-
eanization of the circuit on lines, which
Will prevent secession and shut out
competition.
Cleveland cannot be carried much
longer and the Robisons will. with the
consent of their associates, thansfer
that team to a more desira Bile city. 1t
is to be hoped that there will be a
change in the ownership as well as the
location of the club. This would great
ly improve conditions. Baltimore is
better ball town than it has been for
several seasons, and McGraw's team is
liSl-CidsS lodu attraction. "dSnlnS
ton Will support the Senators we'll if
they make respectable showing and
experts predict that Manager Irwins
team Will have first division prospects
in 1900. Louisville has badly conduct
ed club. President Dreyfuss interferes
with the manager of his team, which,
as is always the case, has been fol-
lowed by disastrous disorganization and
cliqueism among the Colonies. Like
the New York club, its misfortunes are
legally due to its ownership There is
little chance for the metropolis to as
sumo importance it should have in
baseball until Freedman's connection
with its club ceases
The capitalists behind the clubs in
New York, Boston, st. Louis, Chicago,
Brooklyn, Pittsburg and Cincinnati
know that these cities would make an
ideal circuit, but they prefer a con-
tlnuance of the membership of the
league as constituted with its less de-
slrable members than the complications
which might ensue. There will never
be an effort to form a rival organiza-
ton to the league as long as it has
clubs in twelve of the most important
centers of the East and middle West.
An e1ght-club league capable of making
good front in a fight with the Ma
tional league would have to be eouip-
ped with capital of 81 900 900 and Off
cered by baseball men of Judgment and
experience. 1t is stated in the daily pa
pers that such an organization will he
formed this fall and enter the field in
1900.
Opposition clubs will it is claimed he
placed in Chicago, Philadelphia, St,
Louis and New York, and Detroit, Buff
falo, Baltimore and Washington will
also be represented. 1t is contended
that neither Baltimore nor Washington
VIII retain its National League fran
chlse after next season. The new league
VIII necessarily depend upon it's patron
age for its support. Capitalists will
not part with their money for sen-i-
mental reasons and they will expect re-
turns for every dollar they invest in
baseball. The attendance at the games
their club play will be dependent alto
gether upon the kind of ball they play.
III the Chicago club in the new organ
iza'tion is far below the standard of the
Natlonal league team in that city it will
play TO empty stands and so in Phila-
delphia. St. Louis and Chicago There
is not enough tirst-class talent ITO euuip
eight teams. This is proved by the
weakness of four and perhaps six of
the National league clubs.
If the new organization should bid COR
the best players of the National league
and succeed in getting them. the clubs
salary lists would be so large and their
outlay so immense that with opposition
II WOulQ De out OF the question for them
to make a dollar. The National league
club owners would have the advantage
of experience and equipment in such
war, and with memories of the Broth
erhood'S failure in mind. most of their
players would remain loyal 70 them
Some would yield to the temptation of
a big cash consideration and the prom
Use of an increase of salary and others
would take advantage of the Oppor-
Iunity to sever unpleasant relations
Around them as a nucleus the new or
sanization would build its eight teams.
using such minor league players as they
could obtain.
The right of reservation. the corner
stone of professional baseball, will not
be exercised. so it is said, by the new
magnateS. This would mean that at
the end of the season their players
would be free to sign with whatever
clubs they pleased, and in order to keep
them their respective clubs would be
forced to make new terms with them
and offer in most cases better induce
ments The National league and all
other parties TO the national agreement
would blacklist the deserterS and harass
their rivals in every conceivable way
The promoters of the American associa-
tion claim that they would avoid con-
tiict of dates IN cities in which rival
clubs are placed, The National league
would not permit this. if it We're pos
sible to avoid ii, especially on Sundays