The times., 1899-07-06

1hh tAIhps
stands that he can play just as good a
game of ball. within the limits of de-
cency and good order, without giving Of
fence to respectable persons who are
among his patrons.
Manager Selee is a very quiet loser. He
doesn't rant nor swear. nor tear his hair,
but just goes on chewing gum.
From the most reliable data that can be
obtained from the present diversified
schedule of League games that have been
circulated, the Washington Club will play
in Baltimore today and here tomorrow,
returning to Baltimore on Saturday and
concluding the series here the following
Monday.
The few thousand people who attended
the Fourth of July games at the Polo
Grounds received the full value of their
money, as the two exhibitions given by
the Giants and Senators were character
lied by artistic and scientific play that
was a pleasure to the spectators.
A certain ball player of reputation tells
this story on Freedman as evidence oil
the amateurish condition of the New York
Presidents mind in regard to baseball:
Upon a certain occasion Freedman call
ed him into his Office and after looking
him over with scowling cast of counten-
ance, he said. "See here, Bill" / pay you
a salary to hit the ball and / notice that
you are not doing il. l want you to under
stand that you can't fool me. / am onto
you. Unless you get into the game and
hit that ball will keep you on the bench
without pay until you do, that's all"
That settled it," said Bill, 81 went into
the game that afternoon and knocked the
ball all over the lot, but not one of them
went safe. AS | was going out of the
grounds that afternoon Freeman stopped
me and said. 1 knew you could hit the
ball If you wanted to. Just keep up that
lick, and you are all right. You fellows
will understand that you can't fool me- -
The only souvenir of his youthful folly
and mistakes that Charley Abbey has
stored away as a momento of his playing
days is a baseball bat that is full of base
hits and pleasant reflections. Aside from
its virtue as an heirloom, Abbey says it
would come in handy as am argument or
persuader should any of his lineal male
descendants ever presume to practice base
ball either as an amusement or profess
sion.
TO decide a bet, how old is Gus Wey-
hing?" writes fan. From the best in
formation obtainable he is not as old as
Doug Allison.
II any evidence was needed to substan-
tiate the oft-repeated charge that Andrew
Freedman has killed baseball in New
York, the meagre attendance at the Polo
Grounds on the Fourth furnishes it. AT
the morning game there were about 3,00t
spectators, and in the afternoon about 1000
present Under old conditions before
Freedman's advent, 10000 persons at a
game of ball in New York on a Fourth OF
July would be conservative estimate
Freedman is despised by the press and
fans of New York, he has forfeited the
respect of his associates in the League
and with all, has sacrificed valuable prop
erty interests in order to crafty personal
spite and vengeance. A suit in equity by
the other League owners is about the only
thing that would fit the case. The appoint
ment of receiver and the settlement OF
existing evils would soon restore the game
to past favor and popularity.
Eastern League affairs are in an unset
tied state. Not over four of the clubs
will be able to pull out even should they
close their season now. II is therefore
believed that other non-paying clubs will
follow the action of the Syracuse and
Scranton clubs and drop out, in order to
avoid further loss. President Pat Powers
thinks that six of the eight clubs of the
league will play out the schedule, and that
at least four of them will make money on
the season. Montreal and Toronto are
figuring on the right side of the ledger.
While some of the other clubs will not be
able TO declare dividends, it is not believed
they will lose any considerable amount OF
money. The sale of their star players, If
they have any, will assist making up any
losses. The disbanding of the Scranton
club. of the Atlantic League, was not a
surprise to those familiar with the situa-
ance and bad weather during the early
part of the season, and the clubs poor
work, playing has been at a loss. II is
believed the league will disband by the
tenth or fifteenth of this month. There are
some good players in this league whose
services win be sought by clubs of the
major league. Several weak places in the
big league clubs could be strengthened
with material from this organization, and
several of the magnates have their eyes
focused in that direction. The Wilkes
barre club has some prominent players
yet the estimate of their value has moi
been on a parity with that of the National
League magnates who were in the market
and II is possible that the Wilkesbarrt
people have let some good proposition;
get away from them that will not be re-
peated.