Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-13
NEW BALL PARKS
American Association and League to
Have New Grounds Here.
NATIONAL PARK NOT WANTED
Ned HanIon Confirms Story About
National League Players.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS

National Park, the home of the ex-Sen-
ators and the Messrs Wagner for so many
years, will probably be allowed to go to
decay and no more will the enthusiastic
fan make the welkn ring in that neigh
borhood over clever plays by their favorite
base ball players. 1t has been the general
superstition that Manager VIII Bryan and
his American Association team would be To-
Gated at National Park the coming season,
but recent developments prove otherwise
You can say for me-" said Mr.. Bryan
this morning to an Evening Star reporter
that there is no possibility of the Ameri-
can Association team playing at National
Park the coming season. and that there is
no consideration that would make me To-
cate the club there. The American Asso-
citation will play on entirely new grounds,
handsomely fitted up. but the location 1
have selected will have to be kept a secret
for the present"
These positive remarks of Mr. Bryan
were probably occasioned by an article in
morning paper, which said that National
Park would be the home of the American
Association team. There have been many
protests entered at the Commissioners of
flee against National Park being used as a
ball ground, the principal one being from
Freedman's Hospital, and the chances are
that Mr.. Bryan recognizes the futlity of
trying to secure the grounds as a home
for his organZa ton. 1t will require a large
sum of money to place National Park in
playing condition, and as Mr.. Bryan expects
to be permanently located in this city he
doubtless has come to the conclusion that
1t would be money thrown away to make
repairs. The gounds are splendidly located
but the rapid progress of the city has sur
rounded the park with many residences and
the noisy crowds would probably prove OBJ
noXlous to many people living therein.
Mr.. Manning Confident.
There was a report flying around the diff
ferent eastern cities yesterday to the effect
that Manager Manning of the American
League had become discouraged over his
failure to secure grounds in Washington
and that he was to be located in Brooklyn
the coming season. The report bore the
earmarks of being inspired by the OPPOSE
ton, and Manager Manning only smiled
when the rumor was retailed to him last
evening.
81 am positive that I have the base ball
people of Washington with me-" said Mr..
Manning. land | will locate ball team
here if L have to go out in the country.
The reason for my backwardness has been
that L fixed my mind on a certain piece of
ground for ball park and | dislike giving
up what l set out to do. There are three
or four sites to be had. and | hope to
You can say in the most positive terms
that L will never go to Brooklyn. Once l
have my grounds determined upon | will
go out and get in the hunt for players"
johnson and somers Coming.
President Ban johnson of the American
League left Chicago yesterday and should
reach Washington this evening. Charles
Somers of Cleveland will also meet Mr.
Johnson here. After looking over the local
situation Messrs. Johnson and Somers will
move on to the other eastern cities in the
American League circuit.
A special from Baltimore says that Ed
ward Hanlon last night positively con-
firmed the statement sent out from that
city last Saturday night and denied by Ban
Johnson to the effect that peace negotia-
tions are on between leading representa-
tives of the National and American
Leagues.
THE only fear is said Hanlon. that
after they get along a little further they
may get to sparring, but 1 shouldn't be
surprised to see them come to an agree
ment.'
Manager Johnny McGraw of the Balti-
more club was a happy man yesterday.
The first spade of sod was turned at noon
Yesterday for the building of his new base
ball park, about 800 spectators being pres
ent when the ceremony was performed
A silver spade, tastefully trimmed with
the oriole colors, was used, and this trophy
will be highly priced by base ball enthu-
siasts of the monumental city in years to
come.
HanIOn Says He Knew 1t All.
The assertions and denials about the
signing of National League players by the
American League managers are the chief
topics of base ball conversations at pres
ent, and just how much truth there is in
these reports can be cleaned from the fol-
lowing interview with Manager Ed. Han
lon in this mornings Baltimore American.
Mr.. Hanlon said:
II knew at least five weeks ago that
thing was doing between McGraw
and some of the players of the Brooklyn
club If the two leagues really do run IN
opposition you'll find lot of jumping from
one to the other~by the players, and L
knew about McGinity and Sheckards pro-
posed step soon as anybody Do you re
member that McGraw left tWenty-four
hours ahead of his party, who went to the
American League meeting in chicago! Wen,
he went to st. Louis, and McGinity was
there. I leave the rest to your imagination.
L have not sent out contracts to any play
ers of the Brooklyn team, and. of course,
none have been signed. 1 will take my
usual course in this matter Today looked
over my list, and found l have twenty-five
men, Surely, should be able to get team
of nine men out of that list Talk about
players jumping from one league to the
other-just wait until next fall. If the
American League should go through the
summer in opposition to the National there
will be some lively doing next fall.
Pitcher HoweIFs Views.
With the players the matter of signing
with the American League has been well
thought over, and they have reached
decision as to what to do. How the players
really regard the matter is plainly set forth
by Harry Howell, who pitched for Brooklyn
last season. He says:
I'm the first place, the sentiment of the
players is to go to Baltimore because of
McGraw's good fellowship. the benefit of
assocating with him and the enthusiastic
treatment of the players by the people
there There are other considerations that
L will try to make clear as they appear to a
players mind. If the National League
should grant the demands of the players
some would very likely break into the
American League. for, although you may
be astenished to hear it. the American will
be able to pay better salaries than the Ma
tional. You see. the National League
clubs are to have sixteen players each and
the American League fourteen players each
"a difference of two players. In salaries
this would make a difference Cf about