Evening star., 1899-03-18

eran pitcher left Louisville several days
ago He will probably drop into the little
Virginia town Sunday morning. "Wally''
Taylor, Torontos second baseman who is
going to help round out the two teams, will
reach Hampton tonight and will probably be
accompanied by Harry Davis. All the play
ers that have been out on the diamond
complained last night of a slight soreness
consequent on their spring thawing out, but
it is believed that two days more of good
hard work will put them in tip-top shape.
Magnate ]. Earl Wagner has not joined the
team yet on account of the illness of his
wife. but 1t is expected that he will leave
Philadelphia for Hampton tonight or to-
morrow morning. Secretary Robb will ac-
company him.
Indications that have come to the surface
during the past few days in base ball cir
cles clearly demonstrate that the politics
of the National League are in a much mud
died condition. and it is hard to say just
what may turn up to startle the enthu-
siasts within the next week. The special
published in last evenings Star from st.
Louis, telling of the sale of the club to
Mr.. Becker, would indicate clearly that
Mr.. Brush and Mr.. Robson have at last
secured what they have been fighting for
all winter. Mr. James Hart, president of
the Chicago club. who is at present in New
York, last night said, upon receipt of the
news from st. Louis. that If Mr.. Becker
had secured control of the Browns the no
Itical situation was fast clearing up. and
that definite steps to straighten out the
tangle would be taken in a few days.
PRESIDENT Young will probably call meet
ing of the league magnates for next week
and 1t may furnish something in the wav
of sensational news.
The present situation would Indicate that
will be taken to Cleveland and that a
tWelVe-club circuit would be continued
throughout the coming season, but matters
leaking out from the inner circles of the
magnates point almost conclusiyely toward
reduced circuit. The writer has been 10th
TO come to this conclusion but unless ali
signs fail the season of the National
League VIII open with ten clubs and it is
even possible that the circuit may be re-
uuced to eight. 1t is only a question of
money and one days work of the lea eue
magnates while in session.
Ihe cities of Cleveland and Baltimore
can De SAID to have already surrendered
and 10000 cash would make the Louisvilles
take to the wood on the run. This would
narrow the situation down to the Washing
ton club, and Mr.. Wagner has admitted
that 100000 will make him satisfied Thai
base ball is not in his line of work One of
the strongers arguments that reduction is
coming was furnished through an interview
given to New York paper by Mapnate
Vonderhorst, now of the Brooklyns. The
conversation was started on the Freedman-
Spalding trouble, and then the RrookIvn
magnate said that Freedman is in the Way
of the league, as he would take no stens tn
strengthen the club
only two weeks ago." said Mr.. Wonder
horst, Il offered Mr.. Freedman Third Base
man McGraW and Catcher Robson at a
very reasonable figure, but he refused to
buy" ~
Would this indicate that the club in Bal
timore is going to start the season with the
other clubs? Outside of McGraw and Robin
son there is not a first-cass player on the
team, and the aggregation that the Ralti-
mere management is getting together has a
very weak look, even on paper If Freedman
iiad accepted the offer of McGraw and Rob-
lnson, what would have baen the Baltimore
situation? All in all, the developments that
VIII come In base ball within the next week
should be exceedingly interesting. II the
Boston and Philadelphia magnates can be
whipped into line so that they will put I'm
their share of the money necessary To bnv
out the four clubs, the twelve-club circuit
would be squeezed into compact doubIs
quartet of eight inside of twelve hours
Soden and Rogers are the stumbling hIocir
and for the sake of base ball in Washing
ton, 1t is to be hoped their ,backbones viii
not undergo the bending process
Ihe colony of professional WASHINGTON
players Is fast diminishing, several of the
men having secured good places for the
coming season. Charley Lusky has been
secured by Manager Irwin and will help out
.ne ea1cnlng department Of the Toronto
team Frank Norcom, the well-known left :
handed pitcher and heavy hitter, who was
with Fort Wayne, Ind, last season will trv
and push the Cedar Rapids team to ths
front this year. Jake AtZ finished the saae
son with the Williamsport, Pa. team and
Will probably rejoin that club this snring
FRANK Lathrop was dissatisfied with re
salary Cedar Rapids offered him last coo
son, but the club has met his terms and ha
Will return to that city for the coming SEQ .
son. e sea-
Johnny Leonard, who has been ono of
the bright lights of the Shamrocks off and
on Tor several seasons, has been gobbIed
up by Ted Sullivan and will accomnanv
that manager to Houston, Texas. "I, ,eftv',
Proctor, the well-known first baseman WI,
anchor for the summer at Atlantic Citv
and play with the team of semi-profession.
ais representing that city. Several other
players are negotiating for positions and
VIII probably be successful
Jack Doyle, the ex-senator. has been
elected captain Of the New York club. he
being the choice of a majority of the play-
ers or that team. This will leave Billy
Joyce out after all the fuss and feathers
that were ruffled over his reported Signing
Rusie. Seymour and Meekin have not vet
signed contracts, and another magnate has
| said he does not blame this trio for not GET
| ting into line. as the salary offered them ia
simply shameful. Without these twtrIers.
and indications are they will not play the
coming season, Capt. Doyle will have his
own troubles with the New York n,,hlic
Mr. Freedman and the players as the aey.