Evening star., 1900-10-01
NEW BASE BALL PLANS
EDITOR RICHTER OF SPORTING LIFE
MAKES A STATEMENT.
New National Association to Treat
Public and Players Right and Re-
vive Interest i'm the Game.

F. c. Richter, editor of Sporting Life.
had the following article in his paper last
week, which will prove interesting reading
to the base ball enthusiasts of Washington,
as there is more than a possible chance
that this city may be represented in the
new national next season. Mr.. Richter
says:
"A great many statements about the new
National Association of Professional Base
Ball Clubs have been published since the
Baltimore meeting. Some of the statements
have had some slight basis of truth, while
others have been simply absurd or utterly
false. / shall not at this time take the
trouble or space to deny affirm any Of
them-good bad or Indifferent.
Il have but to restate the plain and posi-
tive fact that a preliminary organization
has been formed with six clubs. Three OF
these clubs have grounds and equipment
ready, three have binding options on grounds
and all have ample financial backing. AS
a guarantee of good faith each of the six
has deposited 5000 in cash or bonds (no
checks) with the Mercantile Trust Com
pany of Maryland. and withdrawal on part
of any OF the six will positively entail for
feiture of the deposit to the remaining
clubs. What better basis for solid organi-
zation than that could be asked for
ranged?
The Next Steps.
1.-THE two clubs needed to complete fine
circuit available; in fact, they could
have been admitted at the Baltimore meet
ing, but for good reasons, which we do not
propose to divulge, 1T was decided to post
pone their admission until the next meeting
in the near future in the west. AT that
meeting, it is well assured, the eight clubs
will be in line, well organized and heavily
capitalized. A permanent organization will
then and there be effected by the adoption
of an up-to-date constitution and the cleo
ton of capable officials, and everything will
be put in such shape that the various clubs
can at once proceed to erect plants and Sc
cure players.
Even more to be depIored than the dis
semination of false news and misleading
statements is the unwarranted and unau-
thorized use of the names Of certain IA
nous players-notably, McGraw, Kelly Jen-
nings and Duffy-in connection with the
National Association. This is unfair 10 the
players, who are still under contract to the
National League. and therefore not yet at
liberty to do business elsewhere. With
them. as with the association reservation
counts for nothing, but contracts must and
will be respected 1t is also unfair to the
association which could do no business
with any player if it would until it is per-
manently organized and would not do bust
ness il ii could until it is in every way in
shape to assume and carry out the finan-
cal obligations involved in dealing with
professional ball players. This is not to be
wildcat scheme on a shoestring chance.
"The National Association is not going To
enter the base ball business under false
pretenses. 1t will not mislead the public.
bamboozle the press or betray the players.
And therefore 1t IS not going to make any
overtures whatever to players until it Is
fully prepared to do business When that
time comes-within a month-it will be
fully equipped to do business on business
basis 1t will then take ground far in ad-
vance
offer the players such contract as they
nave been vainly demanding for years
and as will meet every just demand! In
short, contract that will be devoid of ALI
unfair or fnhuman conditions and will he
as binding upon the club as upon the
player.
I'm other words, the National Association
Is going to make an honest effort to place
base ball upon fair sporting and busi-
ness basis. and from the start will put 1t
up to the PLAYERS to help achieve that
which the National League long ago con-
fessed itself unable to do The leaders of
the National Association firmly believe that
clubs and players can do business and yet
along amicably upon a mutual basis. de-
spite the long-standing claims to the con-
trary of the National League magnates:
ana the association will go a long way to
demonstrate Its faith In the business sense
as Wen as the honesty. OF the professional
ball player
The Players Proper Course
''The National Association believes that thu
players understand and appreciate the ex-
ceptional situation, and for this reason It
has not deemed 1t necessary to approach
them at all during the leagues playing
season. Only fool player-no matter
whether he be major or minor league
player-would sign any contract this fan
upon any terms pending the permanent
organization Of the National Association
and the conference of the Players Pro-
tective Association with the Nations
League: and fool players win not be want
ed by the new National Association"
Illness Of Judge Scott.
Judge Scott Of the District branch of the
Police Court, who has been slightly III foy
several days, was unable to come to court