Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-26
BASE BALL SURPRISES
Association Said q : Have Taken
Providence and Not Washington.
THIS CITY Is OUT oE'sfHEBlG LEAGUE
mceraw Leases uoiep Park and
Freezes Hanlon Out.
CURRENT SPORTING NEWS


From all the indications that have ap-
peared within the last twenty-four hours
the American Association has made ma
terial progress m the matter of crystaliz-
ing its organization, but the outlook for
base ball in Washington next summer is
very disappointing
Editor Richter of the Sporting Life, one
Of the ruling members of the American AS
ISOLATION. is said to have telegraphed Man
ager McGraw last night to the effect that
Providence had been selected for the fourth
eastern city in the new organization, and
should this prove true there will be no
room for club from this city.
Michael Scanlon, the prime mover in the
agitation for a ball club to represent this
city in the association, said to a Star re-
porter this morning:
Il doubt the truthfulness of the report
about Providence being admitted. 1 was
given to understand by President Quinn that
club from this city was wanted badly by
the American Association, and that If ]
could secure the capital we would be given
the glad hand at any time. Providence
cannot be considered in the same class with
Washington when base ball is discussed,
and if it has been selected as the fourth
eastern city 1t Is simply because / have
been unable to make any definite statement
as to financial backing, and the eighth hole
In the circuit has had to be filled up quick
ly, SO as to allow the promoters to solidify
their project. You can tell the local base
ball enthusiasts that should the backing for
a Washington club be forthcoming before
next Tuesday night 1 am sure we can get
welcome foothold in. the American Asso-
ciation." - $
The latest base bail sensation is the ac-
ton of Manager McGraw. who secured
lease Of Union Park. Baltimore. over the
head of Manager Hanlon, and should the
National or Eastern leagues desire to es-
tablish club in that city entirely new
grounds would have to be leased and the
necessary stands erected The announce
ment of McGraw's move created great
deal of enthusiasm IN Baltimore. and the
outlook for a successful season seems as
sured. Mr.. Hanlon's lease on the park has
existed only from year to year, and last
years lease expired January 3. Knowing
this, Mr.. McGraw quietly opened negotia-
lions with the owners Of the park. and as
they favored his decision to go into the
American Association the new lease was
quickly executed.
A remarkable feature about the deal Is
that the stands. club house, etc, on the
grounds are expected to go to the new les
sees. for 1t is said that under the lease by
which Mr. Hanlon and the other owners Of
the league team held Union Park they have
no right to remove the improvements they
have made. and when the property passes
out of their hands the improvements also
pass beyond their control ~
Conway w. Sans, who drew up the new
lease and is the attorney for the Baltimore
Amusement Company. said yesterday that
told him is correct the improvements are
there to stay. 1t is possible that Mr.. Han
Ion may make fight III the courts. At the
time the deal was closed there was letter
Ion stating that his check for next years
rent would reach them today, but it is now
too late.
Enthusiesm innnIfimore.
Many Baltimore base bali enthusiasts are
delighted at fhe turn, things have taken,
and all yesterday afternoon there was a
steady stream of callers on Robinson and
McGraw to congratulate them. Much cham
payne was opened and a jollifcation meet
ing was held. One result of the news was
that a number Of substantial-looking
gentlemen called McGraw aside and asked
him If there was any more stock to be had
in the company. to which they added that
If there was they would take some and
give him check Immediately for the first
assessment on the stock, matter how
much it might be.
Question of Players.
Having now money and grounds in their
eight cities. the next thing for the associa-
ticn. to consider Is players but on that
score there does not seem to be much fear
as all the players who have been seen are
willing to lend a very attentive ear to the
appear not the least frightened by the
prospect of being blacklisted by the league
When asked about the report in the New
York papers that he was to be blacklsted
Mr.. McGraW laughed and. said he did not
care an iota what the league did; that he
was now striking out for himself and had
ceased to bother about the leagues affairs
Captain Robinson was equally emphatic
and said It was a pity to see the league
to the blacklist when it would never derive 4
any satisfaction Fl ON the outlay.
In speaking of players leaving the league
1t must be remem bered that their departure
means great deal more than the mere loss
of their services to the managers. Under
the present state Of affairs players are con-
stantly being sod from one team to an
other, the pclce generally running up into
the thousands of dollars. For instance, it
Is said that Mr.. Hanlon valued the releases
Of Robinson and McGraw at something like
$4,000, and If he had been forced for any
reason to sell them they would certainly
have melted him in the neighborhood of
S2o'ooo. AS 1t is, they have gone, and he
gets nothing. Should Bredie and the other
members of last years Baltimore team fol-
low their leader Mr.. Hanlon's actual loss
Will amount to nearly, if not quite, $50 600
The same holds true of all the other league
teams; each new detection represents the
disappearance of several thousand dollars
OF what was confidently counted assets.
Few Contracts Signed.
Inc report has been spread that many of
the men who want to join the association
will not be able to do so because they have
signed contracts with league owners, but
the truth Is that the majority have not yet
put their names to paper for this years
work, and as to the others, the weight of
Iegal opinion seems to be that they cannot
be enjoined from playing with association
teams if they so desire
What the League Has Done.
Nothing authoritative has been obtained
from the meeting of the league magnates
In Cleveland yesterday, a report of which
meeting is given in the following dispatch
received from Cleveland: sc
The. meeting of. the National League base
ball magnates, which has Been in session
which. Up 70 yesterday. the newspaper re-
porters were unable to obtain any definite