The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-19

all along looked with a good deal of ia
Vor on Sioux City's claim. With a new
ball park the patronage would be much
larger than it was last year, and there is
no reason why the game should not be
successful there this season. I viii be
prepared to- announce in very few
days the eighth club in the circuit, and
If will be either Sioux City or Colorado
Springs
There is a strong possibility that by
the time the three baseball organizations
open the season a great improvement in
the manner of caring for the public's
comfort will be accomplished. The idea
is foStered by the management of teams
in the American league and the Amerl-
can association. AS soon as the Hunting
ton avenue grounds were acquired by the
Boston American league, cub, it was an
nounced that the bleachers on it's groun Is
will be bleachers no longer, a roof being
one of the improvements planned If
cheap ball Is to be supplied by the Amer
lean league, cheaper ball will be fur
nished by the American association. The
occupants Of the Cheap stands at an
American association game of ball will
be as comfortably accommodated as the
Srand-stand spectators. Only the added
exclusiveness impaired by the expendi-
ture Of an extra quarter of half dollar
make the differences.
matter that has not yet engaged the
attention of the American association
apparently, is the adoption of an official
baseball. There is "a bare possibility that
the same ball now declared Official by
the National league. may receive the in
dorSement of the American league 1t is
more than likely, however that some
other concern will make a ball that the
American league will designate as it's
official ball. The American association
will naturally follow the National league
in the choice of an official ball The
Players Protective association, organ
lied ostensibly for the sole purpose of
protecting the interests of the ball play
ers, has adopted an official ball on it's
own account. This is one made by a
ball player who is a member of the Or
ganiZatiOn.
1t is claimed that Billy Hallman, the
actor ball player, Is under reserve to
the Buffalo eastern league club but
that there is a possibility of his being
annexed by the Western league and
placed in charge of one of the clubs
Mailman stands high in the profession,
and 1t is claimed that President Hickey
is trying to induce him to join the West
ern league forces. Hallman is reported
to have said when in ST Louis a few
days ago that if the Western would make
him the right offer he would try and Sc
cure his release from Magnate Franklin,
of Buffalo, and play in the West this sea-
son.
1t is said that Napoleon Lajoie, prob
ably the greatest ball player in America,
has jumped to the American league, hav-
ing signed contract with Macks Phil
adelphia club. Lajoie. virtually admits
that he will play no longer with Rogers
Philadelphia club, and will join the oppo-
sition, though he denies that he has af-
fixed his signature to a regular form of
contract. In keeping secret the names
of National league players who have de-
cided to jump the option clause" it IS
explained that the American league men
have been guided by two reasons One
is that they do not want to admit the
identity Of those players who have VIC
lated the agreement of the Protective
association in signing without the con-
sent of their attorney, while the other is
that they wish to keep the National
league clubs in doubt up to the very
opening of the season.. with the idea of
Gripping the masnates as much as pos
sible. ~
Reports from st, Joseph are to the eff
feet that Manager McKibbon. of that
city, has about completed his team, but
no list of players is given out His last
up by the draftings of King and Strang
by the Chicago National league club,
but he has signed a number Of young
sters and made deal for Third Base
So far as the makeup of the other teams
is concerned little is known up to date as
the different managers have not yet an
Eounced the names of their players.