Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24
GOSSIP ABOUT NEW LEAGUE
Plan to Organize New National Assoc
ciation-Keith Expects Omaha to
He in Western League.

Base ball circles have been aroused to a
greater degree of interest during the past
week than at any time for a long while over
the plan that is on foot to organize a new
national league to be known as the Ameri-
can Association of Base Ball Clubs. In case
it is carried to a successful conclusion there
is no doubt but that there will be a rivalry
in base ball which will stir sporting circles
from center to circumference There is no
possibility that the new association and the
National league could get along without fric-
ton. There would be a continual rivalry over
players and other matters sure to arise to
disturb the serenity of the atmosphere. This
being the case, the organization of a new ma
tional association would be a body-blow to
base ball, as the q%uarrels and squabbles
would naturally disgust the average indi-
vidual, who forms the majority in attend
ance at a ball game and goes--not because he
is drawn thtther by an irresistible enthusi-
asm, but merely for the purpose Of passing
pleasantly AVA a few hours witnessing a
sport which has become noted for its ma
tional popularity.
What is the motive for the organization of
another base ball association? The platform
of the proposed new league throws some
light upon this question and tearsely shows
tIS lcdoOuS why l5 pIOuuOItIS DtlltNe all
other organization would be a success. 1t is:
Honest competition, no syndicate base ball,
no reserve rule. to respect all contracts and
popular prices" Each of these statements is
a direct blow at the National league and
shows as prima facie evidence that the new
association Is antagonistic to the old from
the very start.
The plan of the promoters of the Ameri-
can Is to have a circuit of eight cities, four
in the east and four in the west. The ones
which are already assured are New York,
Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, st. Louis
and Milwaukee,, with Washington or Balti-
more, Detroit or Buffalo in the doubtful
column. The preliminary meetings held In
Chicago this week were attended by some of
the best known base ball men in the coun-
try and each was emphatic in his declara-
tion that the American was a go-working
tremendously with the National league If
possible, but antagonistic to it If necessary.
Adrian G. Arson, than whom no one ever
gained greater popularity in base ball cir
cles, was one of the king bees of the hive.
Others participating were: H.. D. Quinn,
president of the old American Association
club Of Milwaukee,; G. S. Havenor, a city
councilman of Milwaukee,; George Schaefer,
Chris Won der Abe and A. Fl. Sphinx of st.
Louis-the latter two having been president
and secretary respectively of the old st.
Louis Browns, four times champions Of the
American association and, twice champions
OF the world; Frank Buckley, a New York
assemblyman; Frank Hough, sporting editor
of a Philadelphia newspaper, and M. D..
Scanlon, once president of the Washington
Union association team.
When the proposition was first broached
1t was laughed at for the reason that Ma
fiopo1 IaauYiorc did mt GOO yphera the Jnoppy
necessary to support such an association was
to come from. The promoters, however,
seem to have had this matter we'll In hand
before proceeding to the length they have.
George Schaefer said: "As far as capital
is concerned, l will say that there is enough
money back OF the st. Louis club to buy
the entire National league. Adolph Busch
is back of the club, but he will not get all
of the stock. ! will own a big share, the
brewery a big share, and the rest will be
sold to the people at large in 500 shares.
Already / have had many applications for
shares"
The new association claims to have
grounds in all of the cities where its teams
will be located. 1t claims that 1t will be
able to start out next season with players
capable OF putting up a strong, interesting
professional game, and. assured of abso-
Lutte freedom from and financial harass-
ments, it's promoters consider themselves to
be in splendid shape.
One thing that is promised as a result OF
the proposed new association Is a closer
affliation between the major and minor
leagues as represented by the present Ma
tional and Western leagues, and this can
only be obtained by liberal concessions on
the part of the former. regarding the draft
rule. The Western league teams have al
ways been sorely hampered by reason of a
promising young player being grabbed by
the National even before he has matured.
A new draft rule is likely to be formulated
whereby players In the minor league will
be given longer terms OF service before the
drafting process is permissible.
Buck Keith, Omaha's we'll known base
bali promoter, believes that this city will
be in the circuit of the Western league
next year. He is going to bend every
energy in that direction and is confident
that 1t can be brought about provided
Omaha business men who recognize the ad-
vantage to DO derived to the city by own-
ing a base ball franchise will properly sup
FORT the movement. Regarding this mat
ter Buck" saws:
This squabble among the big cities for
the organization OF a new big league team
Is going TO result in the American Asso-
citation being formed and / believe that be-
fore the thing is through with there will be
--zzan ltwrsan a. ~ f1n nra=nnf ITanfaRn