The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-26

League He went to Fort Wayne from
Portland and in the winter of 1898 was
drafted by Manager Allen OF the IndianapO-
lis team The following spring he was
given short trial and then farmed to
lh2Vheeling. Later he was given his release
by Indianapolis. In 1900 and 1901 he played
with Fort Wayne. Babb is a very strong
batter as we'll as brilliant fielder In
1897 he batted .322; in 1899 his average was
.Sl7; in 1900, 2S5. and last year it was .3OS
Since the third baseman has been secured
the fans are waiting to hear the announce
ment of the remainder OF the team.
Manager Watkins has announced the
names of two new youngsters TO the list
OF candidates for the Indianapolis team.
They are Charles NJ. Luskey, a catcher and
outhelder, who was with the Washington
American League team last season. and
Jack McCaIlister, an Outfelder who was
with Columbus short time in 1901.
The fight that Is being made by President
Pat Powers, of the association of minor
leagues, against President Hickey, of the
American Association. is more the result of
Hickey blocking scheme Of Powers's at
the meeting in New York last year than
because Hickey has expanded the new or
Eanization. President Hickey threw some
Hight on the question during his recent visit
20 indianapolis. and told the sporting editor
OF the Journal the history of the trouble
between him and Powers. Nothing was
said OF the matter in these columns as the
talk was considered confidential and will
continue TO be held as such. but the subse-
Quent story Is relative to the same and
comes from Mr.. Bernard sporting editor of
the Columbus Dispatch, who is conversant
with all the history because he acted as
the temporary president Of the Western
Association at the New York meeting Of
minor leagues Bernards story summed up
IS as IOllOWS: President Hickey. of the
Western League, went to the New York
meeting fully in sympathy with the asso-
citation of minor leagues. He took an active
interest I'll the New York meeting as the
president Of the largest Western baseball
organization. 1t was not until President
Hickey returned from the East and found
that certain people had poisoned the minds
OF several members OF the Western League
that he had any other thoughts on the sub
5ect- Under the rules OF the National As
ISOLATION the detection OF the Western
League club owners made it impossible to
proceed with the organiza ton of the Amer
lean Association except along independent
lines, and that being the only course left
open IL was the course pursued
President Hickey resigned from the Ma
tional Association the same day he retired
from the presidency OF the Western League
at St. Joseph but President Powers de-
clared that Hickey was expelled even after
he had received the resignation. The ex-
pulsiOn OF President Hickey from the Ma
tiOnal Association was a piece of personal
spite work on the part OF President Powers
and others who were interested in him
One OF the iirst acts OF President Powers
at the Chicago meeting OF the National As
ISOLATION was 10 appoint a committee on
contracts and rules" At the New York
meeting. held later, the question of the
adoption of an official ball came up for
discussion. President Powers and his con-
federates tried 10 stall this question off.
contracts and rules should have the op-
portunity of taking the matter up at some
future date and deciding it 10 suit them
selves.
Now. this is just where President Hickey
incurred the everlasting displeasure of
President Powers and others. Mr.. Hickey
was accompanied TO the New York
meeting by VIII Chase. manufacturer
OF the Chase ball" Mr.. Chase
Invested money in the Omaha club
with the understanding that the West
ern League would adopt his ball as the Of
fetal ball The Western League would un-
douDtedly have made good its promise but
the national agreement was waved In Pres
tdent Hickey's face and he was compelled
10 use either the Spalding or Reach ball,
or forfeit the Western Leagues right 10
protection. Mr. Hickey then wanted TO do
something for Mr.. Chase. and. accordingly,
the two went 10 New York. where efforts
We're made 10 have the National Associa-
ton adopt the Chase ball. The agitation
Oh eiAp Dd4i 9ueSlioi al the view 1OFk meet
ING grew so warm that President Powers
and his confederates did not feel quite sure
OF their position Accordingly, Mr. Reilly.
or the Connecticut League made a motion
20 have James II. O'ROuke and Tim Muir
name added 10 the committee on contracts
and rules ostensibly 10 get the benefit OF
their experience In formulating playing
rules, but IN reality 20 add two SpaIding
men 20 the committee on contracts so that
there would be absolutely question as
20 what BAH would be adopted as the Of
fetal ,all OF The National Association IL
the matter was left 10 this committed