The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-09
Howard s S;3s: ! s s. s. ' T;5S
THE BASEBALL SITUATION.
baltimore and Washington May Stay
in the big League.

NEW YORK, Feb. S.-That the National
League magnates are suffering from Sc
we're case OF rattles is shown by the rapid
change Of plans that has occurred within
the LIST five days. On Monday they had
definitely decided that their next special
meeting would be held in this city during
CT before the third week of this month.
On Wednesday the magnates took flop.
and declared that they would not meet I'M
til just before the first Of April. so that
the Association men would not be able to
learn whether the circuit committee had
decided 10 recommend an eight-ciub mem
bership or not. Now comes another somer-
sauit, with the statement of John |. Rog
ers, of the Philadelphia club. which Is
practically confirmed by C. II. Ebbetts. OF
Brooklyn, that the circuit committee has
positively concluded TO assemble here next
week. and that the other League club own
ers will come TO consider the committees
report.
As the new Association has planned to
hold another meeting at Chicago next
Monday. it can be seen that the League
men are contemplating a warlike move in
case Quin's scheme is declared to be
go" Those in touch with League politics
believe they can anticipate the move to be
made. They say the circuit committee will
report to the League as a body that
Louisville and Cleveland have dropped out
OF the circuit; that the Baltimore club has
demanded SIS, 900 for its franchise, prop
erty, and players, and that the price OF
the Washington clubs withdrawal is si6.-
500. With this information in hand it is
predicted that the League will decide 10
proceed with ten clubs. including Balti-
more and Washington, on the ground that
the demands of these clubs are eXorbitant.
Such action would doubtless be considered
in the nature of bluff. first to force Bal
timore and Washington to offer more rea-
sonable terms. and, second, TO convince
MeGraw's company that IT will have OPP
position in Baltimore in the shape of a
National League team operated and con-
trolled by Hanlon and Won Der Horst.
Following an announcement that the
League will go on with ten clubs the mag
mates are expected to map out plan for
the establishment of another 'associa-
ton 20 play a conflicting schedule with
Quin'S organization at Boston, Philadel-
phia Chicago st. Louis. and other cities,
providing of course. Quin and his friends
are well enough equipped TO begin the COM
ing season. The League men, realizing
that the situation is so mixed up that in
terest liz the game is losing its grip, have
decided to clear matters up one way or
another.
The report that each Association club
stands ready TO put up $4,000 to carry on
business is laughed AT by the leaguers. who
say that it will cost fully $4,000 to start
baseball club. DeMontreville, who played
second base for McGraw's Baltimores last
year. and who has been reported as being
ready to jump to the Association. with Nc
Graw. Robinson. and other Association
players, says he has been misrepresented.
DeMontreville says he has no idea Of de-
sorting the League. and declares that other
members OF the Baltimore team will not
stand by McGraw when the time comes.
This looks like setback for McGraw,
who has been declaring that every mem
Der of last years Baltimore team is with
him heart and soul. From other sources
the information comes that Hanlon has
won over more than half of the men who
are supposed to be loyal to McGraw. From
Chicago ii is learned that Anson's pros
pective hackers. including Joe Letter and
a street railroad, have backed out because
they have been informed that there is
likelihood OF three rival teams in that city
in case the Association is q go