The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-22
Grounds Have Been Secured in All
the Cities and Each Club VIII
Have Rich Backing.
PETITION TO THE BIG LEAGUE.
1T Is SIGNED BY THE HACKERS OF
THE EIGHT CLUBS.
The Local Magnate Looks for the Col
lapse of the american League
at Any Time.


ball Club and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
pro tenn. OF the new American Association
of Baseball Clubs arrived in Indianapolis
yesterday from two weeks trip to East
ern cities, during which time he perfected
the organization of the new baseball asso-
citation, which is now thought to be a very
important factor in the baseball world.
Mr.. Watkins was accompanied by A ii.
Koch, of Milwaukee who has been granted
the Detroit franchise in the new associa-
ton. Harry Puliam, who will be inter-
ested in the Louisville club, and Barney
Dreyfus. president of the Pittsburg Ma
tional League club, also met in the city
yesterday.
President Watkins seems TO have just
cause for being pleased with the result of
his efforts to formulate a first-class base
ball organization. A few weeks ago Wat
kins and his partner, Charles +. Ruschaupt.
found themselves holding the bag for the
American League, and Watkins, realizing
the chaotic state into which American
League baseball had drifted through the
methods of Ban Johnson, president of that
league. started quiet canvass Of the stu
alton and soon realized that it was pos
sible to organize new league that would
be second only to the National League and
would be known as one of the major or
CARNATIONS in the baseball world.
RESULT OF TRIP.
He went East, and has returned pleased
with his efforts and the prospects of sue
cess for the American Association, which
was christened and launched in New York
last week. Mr.. Watkins was seen in his Of
flee last night. When asked as to the pros
poets of the new association he was ex-
tremely sanguine in his remarks.
81 have every reason to be confident of
success" said the Indianapolis magnate.
I'VE have organized league that is bound
to be successful In the first place, we
have men interested in each club who have
capital TO invest in such an enterprise and
who are ready TO place clubs in their re-
Spective cities which will be the best that
money can secure. In all of the cities eX-
cepting one local capital will finance the
clubs. Mr.. Koch, who will handle the De-
troit club, is the only one interested in the
new association who will not be classed
head of the Philadelphia club, but Mr..
Rogers made this impossible, for he insisted
on the Philadelphia club being run by Mr..
Niles and his friends. This was the only
thing that happened to cause the least
furry in the plans. Mr.. Koch was satisfied
to go to Detroit, however, and everything
mas been settled amlcably.
Grounds have been secured in all the
Eastern cities and in three of the Western
cities. Mr.. Koch has yet to secure his De-
troit park, but he does not anticipate any
trouble in selecting frst-class site The
clubs will all be managed by experienced
baseball men. Mr.. Irwin will handle the
Boston team, Clarke the Baltimore team,
National League talent at Philadelphia.
Washington, Milwaukee and Detroit, Nc
Closkey in Louisville, and 1 will manage
the Indianapolis team: We do not antici-
pate trouble in securing first-class talent
for the clubs in the new association.
JOHNSON'S CHANCES.
Mr.. Watkins was asked about the chances
of Johnsou's American League going into
Eastern cities. He said that Johnson had
not secured lease for grounds in any of
the cities he has selected for the Eastern
representatives of his American League cir
cult. In Washington. Manning has been
unable to secure suitable grounds. In Bal
timore, McGraw may have to take a site
to reach which the cars would have to pass
the park where the American Association
games will be played. In Boston and Phil
adelphia, Johnson's representatives, have
been unable to secure grounds so far. Mr..
Watkins says that Johnson now has the
hardest proposition he has ever expert
enced and he believes that should one man
now in the American League drop out it
would collapse.
Mr.. Watkins is the temporary president
of the new association, but within a few
days new president will be elected, the
matter now being in the hands of Mr..
Watkins and Mr.. Irwin, Of Boston. Mr..
Watkins would not say who they had in
view to be at the head of the American
Association. The playing season will be
five months instead of four and one-half
months. The season will probably open
about April "a or % with the Western clubs
playing among themselves and the Eastern
clubs doing the same.
A PETITION FILED.
The following is the copy of a petition
which was laid before the Board of Ar
bitration of the National League and which
was signed by the members of the Amer
lean Association and the board:
1--WE, the undersigned, being DESTROYS of
promoting and organizing professional
baseball league. to be composed of eight
clubs, representing eight cities, hereby
make the following declaration OF principles
as the basis upon which the league shall
be organized and conducted:
I'VE recognize not only the importance,
but the necessity for supreme and con-
trolling power in professional baseball. one
upon whom shall devolve the responsibility
and the authority for making necessary
laws, rules ana regulations for the govern
ment and control of the game, determining
and defining the points of play, the duties
of players, umpires. clubs and leagues, to-
the end that security and uniformity may
be established and maintained.
1--WE unequivocally declare our faith in
and allegiance to the national agreement
of professional baseball associations, and
our purpose. IL given recognition and grant
ed territorial rights under said agreement
to conform faithfully TO its laws, rules
regulations, terms, conditions and require
ments. except herein modified, and to
such amendments as may from time TO time
be adopted by the National Board of Arbi-
tration or the power that creates it,
I'VE recognize OF necessity the right of
reservation, which stands for the same
principle in baseball that a warranty deed
or deed Of trust does in the commercial
world that is 10 say, the right to such
reasonable security TO property interests
as are necessary TO justify and protect the
large amounts OF capital invested and which
are imperative in every city for the equip
ment Of parks in order that the game may
be placed before the public In its best and
most approved form.
1--WE are cognizant of the fact that every
attempt that has been made to operate an
| independent league with rival clubs in the
same cities has resulted disastrously TO
| all parties engaged in the business of pro-
fessional baseball and has been destructive
| of public interest.
I'VE recognize the Importance of MAIN
| tanning the high standard OF discipline
sought to be obtained by the lawmakers Of
| the National League and American Asso-
! citation of professional baseball clubs, and
| TO its maintenance we pledge support
l eAne -.