Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-16
A NEW ENGLAND LEAeuE
Said 10 b Among ~ Possibilities Tor Neat
Summer.

The Portland Argus says: Tim Muir
name, the versatile base ball writer OF
the Boston Globe. seems to think that
next year New England will be ripe
for base ball again.
In Yesterdays Globe, Mr.. Murnane
says:
There is a pretty good show for q
New England league next season
With Fan River, Manchester, Lewiston
and Pawtucket about ready to try the
old sport once more, 1t will not be
difficult Job to pick up four more good
cities. Portland and Newport are al
ways on hand to make up strong
league. and with a rest of nearly two
years and players galore. the move
should be more popular than ever.
Mayor Clarke of Manchester. Charles
A. Marston Of Fall River. Michael Moy
of Pawtucket and Col. Ossood of Lew
iston are all members of the royal root
ers base ball association.
While Mr. Murnane is in position
TO be thoroughly conversant with the
base ball situation in New England,
still the only way that any definite
conclusion as to whether New Eng
land is ready for base ball can be ar
rived at is by taking the preliminary
steps toward the formation of league
II there is any enthusiasm for case ball
in a city it will certainly manifest It
self. and If there is no enthusiasm then
il is better to drop the matter rather
than to start league on crutches and
have it commence to go to pieces inside
Of two or three weeks.
Tho yyriter helipyeS that under GER
tain conditions base ball can be made
TO pay its way in New England. but
whether such conditions can be attain
ed IL another matter. If in each city
where it is proposed to place team
4 good strong organization could be
formed consisting of men of good
standing in the community who would
be willing to devote more or less time
in promoting the interests of the club.
base ball might be made quite success
flu.
As rule. however. the base ball
project is doomed in the various cities
by ambitious managers who are inter
csted in base ball solely for what there
IL in II for them. In many instances
these managers are practically IN
known in the cities in which they try
10 dfbANt iAAfifTA III tiif 0fNA - 800 g
paople realize that they are simply
looking for a chance TO MAKE dollar
themselves. the game does not receive
the support IL otherwise would II y
was controlled by local organizations
whose only object was To promote the
sport for its own sake
Another big stumbling block in tn
way Of a New England league is the
salary limit. While il i true thai
there are players galore" there are
also players and players. and while Il
occasionally happens that star
may be picked up at a low figure. as
rule a good player demands good mon
ey.
Now the base ball enthusiasts In
New England are long way from be-
ing novices. They know what good base
bali is and they won't stand for any
thing else. One essential feature of 4
New England league should be a sholt
season There is scarcely a city of anJ
size in the New England circuit but
what will support base ball up to tn
4th Of July, but it is after that the
rough shedding comes,
From the middle of May until Tho
Fourth Of July team in Portland that
stood anywhere in the race would not
only pay expenses but would make
few dollars. but whether it would last
the season out is another question.
There are so many other summer at
fractions in Portland at present that
the prospect of having the team fin
i.h the season without some pretty
solid financial backing would be rather
dubious.
However. there is plenty of base
ball enthusiasts in this city, and if
New England league is started Port
land can be counted upon to help the
matter along.