Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-22
THE ATLANTIC BASEBALL LEAGUE.
Wilmington is Among the Cities Elected "a
Membership.

Wilmington is Among the Cities Elected TO
Membership.
Allentown, Pa, March 16. The out
look for Atlantic League baseball for
1900 is most promising, as at the meet
ing of the magnates at the Hotel Allen
in this city today seven clubs were
represented and the circuit practically
formed. The fact that the National
League difficulties are settled has un-
mistakably clarified the baseball atmos-
phere of minor league cities, and
enthusiastic sportsmen are coming for
ward. according to indications In the
Atlantic territory, ready to embark in
baseball enterprises. The following
cities have applied for membership In
the new circuits: Wilkesbarre, A len
town, Scranton, Reading, Wilmington,
Trenton, Newark, Harrisburg, Ath-
letics Of Philadelphia, and Elmira.
The deliberations Of the afternoon
and evening sessions resulted in the
election to membership Of Allentown,
Wilkesbarre, Scranton, Reading and
Wilmington. The applications from
received, that Of the Quaker City COM
enthusiastic over the enterprise. This
privilege is granted by Col. Rogers at a
nominal rental, providing the big
leagues do not ultimately decide to
place an American Association club in
Philadelphia, according to the plan
recently suggested by James A. Hart
1t Is believed this action will not be
taken by the National Leaguers, and
the Atlantic League will have the
Philadelphia grounds during tho
absence of the PhillieS. sssr
In the event of these grounds not
being available, Harrisburg. Trenton
and Newark are ready to accept fran
chises, thus insuring the completion OF
the circuit. Frank Rim is now de-
voting his attention to organizing o
club at Harrisburg, with every pros
| pect of success, and while it was inn
possible for him TO attend the meeting
he was at intervals in communication
with President Fogel.
Concerning Scranton, a responsible
party from that city communicated
with the Wilkesbarre representatives
and Mr.. Fogel, authorizing one of
these gentlemen to represent him, and
asked for a franchise to be awarded
| Scranton, which was unanimously
agreed to. W. W. Burnham of Port
| land, Me-, will arrive in Scranton on
1 houtlhys anu az OuCo pfooooo W EAfo
| the enterprise his attention as
prospective manager, while he is ready
to contribute q certain sum to the
amount already subscribed, This
arrangement Was entirely satisfactory
to the Lackawanna gentleman.
The Reading franchise was officially
awarded to Ben + leischman, the former
magnate who met with splendid fnan-
cial success in that city. Wilmington
is ready to go ahead and organize 9
team, possessing strong backing and
having secured grounds at q favorable
figure, Matthew Kilroy apd Albert
Sauters being in charge Of that end.
The application of III. @. Smith for
franchise for Elmira was fayorably
received. He was unable to be present
at the meeting, being detained at
Elmira to conclude negotiations for
the grounds, having met the owner
thereof in that city today. Manager
Smith has already signed six OF his
players to Atlantic League contracts,
and will have a strong team.
The magnates adopted a constitution
and bylaws, each section being passed
upon separately where it effected the
seasons operations. The guarantee
clause, which calls for a deposit Of
$500 by each club on February LIST,
was declared imperative, this question
to be settled at the next meeting Of the
league, which is to be held at Scranton
on Friday, March 23d. The salary limit
was fixed at 81, 500. and the restrictions
attached thereto are made mandatory.
The appointment of schedule com
mites and umpires was deferred until
the next meeting, when these matters,
with the guarantee fund, will be acted
| upuD. -...s5-