The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01
FOR new LEAGUE
WATKINS THINKS 1T
THAN AMERICAN LEAGUE IN 1900.
He Has Signed Fox to Captain the
Team This Year-CIubs Are Al
ready After Good Players.

W. H. Watkins and Charles Ruschaupt
returned yesterday from the meeting OF
baseball magnates in Chicago. where the
new American Association was formed
consisting of indianapolis. Toledo. Column
bus and Milwaukee in the east, and Kan
sas City. Omaha, Minneapolis and st. Paul
in the west. The organization was formed
under a ten years agreement.
w feel satisfied that the organization
will be fully as strong, if not stronger, than
any that Indianapolis has ever been in
since the membership in the National
League" said Mr.. Watkins last evening.
THE fact that the American Association
will proceed to do business on the same
basis as the American League and the Ma
tional League, that is, we are under no
agreement with any other organizations to
respect reservations, gives us a much
broader field from which TO select our
players. We nave the same opportunity
TO get the pick OF the players as either
the American or the National League, but
OF course cannot enter into competition
with them on salaries. However, as We
will not have to pay for the release Of
players. we will secure some very fast men.
One Of the clubs at the present time has
a stronger team signed than was in the
Western Association last season, in fact
stronger than any club that was in the
American League OF 1900. and as a fast pace
has been set we will have to follow.
1.-The fact that Tebeau, in Kansas City, is
building a park that will cost him 5000.
and that Stroebel, OF Toledo, will build a
new grand stand and make improvements
to his present park, shows that men who
own the franchises expect to give attrac-
ffnnQ that will drauv the naOnlo Aa this
is a neutral organization and at war with
neither the American or National League
Indianapolis people will in all probability
have a chance to see both American and
National League clubs here in April play
ing against the Indianapolis team. Presi-
dent Hickey has been empowered to engage
a first-claSS staff of umpireS, as the feeling
of the member of this association is that
first-class umpires are essential to good
ball. The season will be for five months,
starting about April %, and a schedule Of
40 games will be played.
WILL HAVE GOOD TEAM.
There is one thing certain-Indianapolis
will have a stronger team than we have
had at any time since the old Western
League was organized. and that patrons
can look to a irst-class article of ball. We
have signed William Fox, who played sec
ond base for Indianapolis last season, to
again play that position and captain the
team"
President Watkins says there need be no
fear of Omaha's ability to draw in the new
organization, as that city outdrew all the
other cities in last years Western League.
The mileage in the new league will be about
200 miles, between $500 and 5000 miles
less than In the American League in 1900.
The League will draw from the following
approximate populations, counting the
towns near the cities connected by inter
urban lines: Indianapolis, 100000; Column
bus, 100000; Toledo. 300, 900; Milwaukee.
$4,000; Minneapolis, 25O, 600; St. Paul, 240, 900;
Omaha, 100000. and Kansas City, 1000.
The League represents the largest cities
west of Pittsburg, excepting those where
the American and National leagues are
represented. 1t is compact and very strong.
The magnates who attended the meeting
In Chicago were somewhat surprised in
meeting a man who is practically new in
baseball politics, but showed them all how
TO carry his point and make deals that
were astounding. He is Bryce, of Column
bus. John Grim, manager of the Columbus
team, arrived in indianapolis yesterday,
after a three weeks trip over the country
In search of players for the Columbus team.
President Watkins says Grim was ex-
ceedingly successful and has already Sc
cured a team that is stronger than some
of the National League teams. Grim will
not make known at his time the men he has
under contract.
The next meeting Of the league will De
held in Chicago about the middle of JAN
uary.