The times., 1899-02-05
BASEBALL GOSSIP.
Notes of the Game. the Magnates
and the Players

Jake Wells. as manager of the ''profane
followers of Thespis,' is proving col
ossal success. His theatre at Richmond
Va, is nightly crowded with an enthusias-
tic audience, and the Standing Room
Only sign is called into requisition fire.
gently.
"Delving Into Ancient History would
be a very appropriate headline for some
stories that are published, palmed off up
on the public as news by some baseball
writers.
Capt. Jim Hart is said 10 deprecate the
selling of ball players, and alludes to some
horrible results of the practice. When
man has nothing TO sell at fair market
price he usually talks that way. If he
was offered a fancy price for Bill Lange
or any other of his ball players with whose
playing abilities and habits he had become
disgusted he would sell just as quickly as
would any other sensible man who desired
to rid himself of an incubus.
Cy Swain is getting into condition down
in the everglades Of Florida, among the
alligators and snakes. He writes friend
that he has become an expert at shooting
gators" on the wing. and has secured
skins enough with which TO build a trunk
and grip and have enough left for shoes.
las for the snakes, the woods are full OF
them ! am using them as galluses,
writes Cy.
With reference TO the trade of McGann
for Beckley. Buck Ewing is reported as
saving: "Beckley is McGann's superior in
every respect, and is not far behind Ten
ney as a first baseman. He is good
fielder. one OF the best men in the busi-
ness TO gather in wild throws-especially
low ones-can hit as well and run bases
as well at least as McGann. and has
stronger arm than the 0riole. Beckleys
only faults are that he is not an accurate
thrower and that he wants to cover too
much ground toward second base. and oc-
easionally leaves first base unguarded. He
is one of the few first basemen who sue
ceeds in throwing out batter on bunt
hit toward first base. ] prefer Beckley 10
Mccain in every way and you can state
positively that Jake will be guarding first
base for US next season. The places
where Ewing says Beckley is weak nee
essarily mar his other strong points end
make him greatly the inferior of Nc
Gam. Not being able to throw accu-
rately' and Occasionally leaving first
base uncovered" are weaknesses that are
fatal TO his usefulness. Another matter
TO be considered is that Beckley has been
In the game for many years, and has
reached that stage In his career when he
will have to wrap the drapery of his blan-
ket about him and retire 10 the stable,
while McGann has Just completed his first
year in the big League and has not yet
etruch tne galt thal VIII De 100 RAPID loi
all comerE.
Hon. George Allen. assistant 10 the FRS
Assistant Postmaster General, is the lates
and most distinguished acquisition 10 loca
fandoin. He is an enthusiastic lover o.
the sport and knows the fine points of th'
game.
II Buck Ewing plays Selbach in centr'
field he will seriously impair his useful
ness. He tried that position while las
ellrnmer and made a failure He is a kin,
at left field, deuce at centre. and Ewini
will make a mistake if he changes him Il
centre field.
The deal between Baltimore and Chicag
-DeMontreville for Dahlen-was made YIN
der the same circumstances that induce