Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-06
Duly n2nllebec Journal
,
AUGUSTA LOCALS.
IT IS SETTLED.
Manager Leighton Will Put
League Team in Augusta.
FAR Support Already Assured and
More Will Be rendered.
Tine Lot OF Young Players are on the s,r;no
Tor a FAST Team.

l..
Leighton will remain here unti,
Wednesday. when he will 80 to Port :
iaio Where he purposes to assemble
ms team Both of these experienced
base ball generals We're much pleased
~ the cordial reception given them nv
local lovers of the national game. ana
inc many profterS of support that We're
rendered them. 1t is evident that ueo
PIE here are anxious to see New Eng
iand League bail again. ana that they
nave faith that Mr.. Leighton will he
able to put team of lively ambitious
Young players in the field who will be
III all respects 4 credit to our CITY.
Immediately upon their arrival here.
Messfs. Burnnam and Leighton had a
conference with Messrs Lee and I.ish
moss. who hold the lease of the mark
with reference to the securing Of the
grounds. They Were met in a most
generous spirit. Both Messrs. Lee and
LishneSs are lovers Of the national
game. and expressed 4 willingness TO
do all in their power to assist in giving
Augusta New England League bail the
present season. So far as they were
concerned. they said. they would be
glad to tendC~ the free use of the
grounds. but this would have to be
made subject - The Cony High school
teams prior arrangement for the use
Of them until June 10.
call was thcl made upon Manager
George Williams If the Cony team Mr..
Williams assured his visitors Of his
hearty sympathy with the project to
locate professional ball team in Au-
susta. He apprcc lated the value to
the High school team that would come
from an opportunity II see base ball Of
this class and the good sport ii would
afford the community. IN arrangement
was soon made to avoid conflicting
dates-and the question II grounds was
settled in manner most Crcditable to
all the gentlemen with whom tie dcci-
sion rested.
1t gave MesGrs. Rurnham and Leigh
ton courage to go on with their work.
EverEWhcie they We've cordially re,eiv-
"a by the citizens. The meeting ct the
cony House in the evening. which was
entirely informal in its character. was
fun Of enconr3 cement. 4 number Of
local enthusiasts coming around to ex-
press their hearty approval Of the
movement. ana several were NJ from
ager Leighton that lovers of the game
ir those cities would lend him a help
ing hand.
Mr.. Ru:rham in conversation with
Journal reporter. last evening. said:
Il am very much gratified az the
cordial manner in which the movement
Ito place New England League team
in Augusta has been received. 1t was
IN
league voted to admit Augusta to the
circuit | felt sure that with I man
ager like Mr.. Leighton. who is we'll
known to the lovers Of base bail in
this state. not only as first-claes
uraycr. but also as one Of the suuarrst
dealing men who has ever figured in
professional base ball in Maine. the
confidence of the people in this city III
The movement would Re assured and
| they could be depended upon TO give
| ii their hearty support.
EVERY effort has been made to IN
enre n successful season for the league.
| THE circuit is far more compact than
| me one of 1895 and 1896. There has
been no bidding FOR players with the
| result that the teams have been slshed
,Iron 4 much smaller scale OF salaries
| than was the case in those seasons.
1,tie viii result in 4 much more even
balance of playing strength ana VIII
| Insure closely and hOtly contested
| games.
| The Journal man had very n'eisah'
| char with Manager Leighton haNe
always felt lie said. that ahoui" ~
| IA MAY ball in Augusta. Tor nave ~
n,,Ls admired the loyal support ana ST
cour,ec,ucnt this city has GiVen IT PHI
| ,oam. I shall do my best to give ~"
I onsta a good team. | have many ON
/ rriande in professional base ball all oFr'
tha country-most of them players. VIZ
whom I have been personally assocla''
~ come time during my i years CONNIE
~, With the game. Since the anlot'ht'
art that 7 was to put a team III 'i'iS
~, wont ont. I have been IN receipt ~
manv letters from them recommends :
nl,xcrs | feel that | have some 80 :
> promising material on the string.
.N,v plan is to assemble my team :"
,u,,oo1 Wednesday Of this week wacl'
will play exhibition games win II
foam in that city. Friday and sa'u'"a>
~, oo,rse these games will be merely io'
Tho n,rpose of trying out the material
IN ,han have on hand. There arr
, s+,ocg nIovers who will JON me
later. | shall select the teal" W.
areat deal OF care. and shall nor -
anv man who does not give promise =
waiting good. | do not purpose 10 ca
along any dead timber
So much for the outlook Tor q , ,'
Now word as to the support 'l''t 80 =,
he accorded the team. 1T IS hot ~
70 form a stock company. MT. i.''
}. will secure some good local man ~ ~.
as his treasurer and possibly ucAe' -,
This man will handle all inc i''''' o;.,r
4 keep all the accounts leavins .,an J
ton free to give his time ana a''e
the handling of the team. ~ III
In 1895 and 1896. $500 was rats'
support of the team by the siie " .i.,
. Of stock at $o5 per share. ~ n,;,,,r i,
100 men were found who "eic ar, y
contribute this amount 10 '"e r,;,a