Evening star., 1901-03-21
Manager Manning's Team Opens Here
on That Date.
SCHEDULE is SATISFACTORY
No Games, However, on May 80
and July q.
OPENING DATES ELSEWHERE
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening star
PHILADELPHIA, March 21.-After five
hours of discussion, in which the adoption
of a schedule of playing dates was the main
feature. all the American League mag
mates made public last night was the OPEN
ing dates for the various teams. The sched-
ule was the first matter taken up by the
magnates this morning. 1t was Ii o'clock
before the meeting was called. and, as usu-
al, il was q secret one.
President Ban Johnson stated this morn
ing that the schedule would be settled upon
before any other matter was taken up.
Manager Jimmy Manning declares he is
well satisfied with the schedule for the
Washington team. The opening of the sea-
son at Philadelphia on April "A and at the
home grounds with Baltimore on April q
will give them two big days to begin with.
In the matter of holidays the Senators will
be away on both May 80 and July 4. On
the former date they play at Milwaukee
and on the latter they meet Philadelphia
This fs one of the best dates of the season,
as Philadelphia invariably turns out great
crowds to the ball games on that date.
So far as can be learned now there will
be no conflict of dates on July in this
city. The Phillies will be away from home
and the American League will have a clear
field. Manning stated that he had not
heard the balance of the schedule. but was
sure that Washington would be we'll cared
for.
Home Team Nearly Completed.
In the matter of making up the Wash
fngton team, Manning stated this morn
ing that with one or two exceptions the
Washington team was already completed.
These exceptions are the proposed signing
of one or two star pitchers and CATCH
er The pitchers are said to be Win Mer-
Ger of New York and James Callahan of
Chicago. Either of these men would give
game of strength to the staff already
signed. Mercer is not only good twlrler.
DIt Is generally good In any position.
while Callahan can we'll be used as a
utility player besides taking his regular
turn in the box. The catcher Manning Is
after is "a minor league star and is re-
secured.
The fact that Mercer is being sought
by Manning Is another proof that gigan-
Tic RAID on the New York pitching staff
is contemplated Carrick has already been
signed. and Dummy Taylor Is said to
have signed with and received advance
money from the Cleveland club owners.
This leaves Pink" Hawley as the only
star on Freedman's staff, and as the ex-
pirate declares he will never sign the
terms offered New York will probably
have to fall back on any new material
they can secure. This raid was the chief
topic of discussion this morning and some
startling announcements are expected In
this direction.
The most important piece of news given
out this morning was the fact that the
ofhclal list of players, already secured
would be withheld until Just before the
opening Of the season. The managers of
the various clubs were willing to give ont
the names of the men they expected TO
play. and these lists have been published.
They are far from being official or authen-
t1c however. as In the cases of Heidrick
and Wallace, who are said to have signed
contracts with Comiskey of the Chicago
team. and who now announce that they
Will play with st. Louis.
Their Action Caused Surprise.
President johnson and Manager Comis-
key were greatly surprised at the action of
these players. and the American League
leader said: I'VE don't want such men as
these, but we will warm their jackets when
the time comes. They signed contracts
with Comiskey and have gone back on
their word simply because they have been
reached with money"
President johnson officially announced
this morning that the players list would
not be given out at this meeting but de-
ciined to name any particular reason.
There Is little doubt that the willy mag
nate Is providing against any more such
''comebacks' in the Wallace and Held
rick cases. The National League people
are only awaiting the announcement of
this list. and every one of their players
with the big body. This was done in
Jimmy Casey's case. He was signed to
be captain Of the Detroit team and since
this has been made known he has been
offered salary of s., 400 and S10o bonus
to jump to the Brooklyn club, but he has
refused.
The publishing of this list was one of
the most important matters of the meeting,
and that 1t will be withheld is sore dis
appointment to the National League own
ers and to players and public alike who
have been watching to see the strength OF
the new organization. Johnson will not
show too much of his hand if he can help
II, and II Is his intention to keep the Ma
nonal League people guessing as long as
possible.
There has been nothing done this morn
ing relative to signing more players. The
fact that Roy Thomas was approa ched
yesterday by Connie Mack and offered q
salary of 5000 to jump and sign with the
American League Is one Of the latest SEN
sations. Thomas has all along declared
that he would remain firm to his promise
to sign with the Philadelphia club. He
held long consultation with Manager
Shetzline, and it is said was offered a.
salary of 81. 400. He promised to let Shetz-
line know. and came down to the Ameri-
can League headquarters. where he met
Connie Mack. After talk with the latter
Thomas declared that he was considering
the matter. but had made no promises
Ihis. with the loss of Lajoie who yester-
day signed with Mack, has set Col Rogers
TO deep thinking, and If Thomas goes IL will
cripple the Phillies seriously Joe Sugden
was in consultation with Mack and may
sign to play here.