The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-27
American Association Standing.

Manager Watkins walked out on the
ball field at Washington Park yesterday
afternoon to test the quality Of wind that
blew across the field. He had 10 furl his
overcoat around him and clamp his new
hat 10 his head to prevent 1t doing Joplin
act The gale was so strong his neektie
was blown TO the back of his collar. He
then announced that there would be no ball
game, and the huge red ball across Wash
ington street was ordered in.
1T is Just a little tough luck TO have
to postpone the first Saturday game at
home. but II was impossible TO play
game" said Manager Watkins. THE play
ers would never have been able TO stay on
their feet without being nailed 10 the
field. II was too cold and windy for
Championship battle.
According to the schedule we are due
TO open our first series with Kansas City
Sunday. but it looks as if some people in
Indianapolis do not care enough about a
bail club succeeding to- want US TO play
Sunday ball Some people have talked Of
Indianapolis getting into the National
League, or a bigger organization. This city
can never hope TO be in the best until Sun
day ball Is played here. for without Sunday
games the city could not support club.
Indianapolis is the only city that won't
have Sunday ball in the American Associa-
tion this year. and the weekday attendance
will have 20 be very large for il it isn't
the Association may find another city next
year. People have laughed at the idea
CT no Sunday games no ball club bat il
j. more OF stern business proposition
than they may think"
Kansas City will open here tomorrow
and will play three games instead of four
Wednesday hg no Grat dan of
the season. Following Kansas City St
Paul Will be the attraction the remainder
OF the week.
The stenogrsphic report of the discus
sions at the meeting OF the executive com
mittee OF the National League in New York
last week would be more interesting to the
public just now than was the lengthy re-
port made OF the meeting of the League
last December. At the conclusion OF Fri
day nights session Chairman John T.
Lush declared to New York newspaper
mon that the committee had outlined a plan
of action against the American League.
but he would not give its details. His rea-
son is obvious. for IL would not do to allow
the enemy 10 know just what kind of a
campaign is 20 be carried on, but the public
Is much interested just the same. The court
decision last week added an interest to the
star players gallery. and II would not ne
surprising TO see many Of the players
change uniforms before long. The National
has tried young players. thinking they
would make good and would satisfac torily
fill the places formerly occupied by some
Of the men who Jumped TO the American,
but the National club owners want the
stars back. not only because they know
more ABOUT the game and play better ball,
hut as drawing attraction and blow 10
the American. Just how many of the stars
will be secured again by the National is
not known, but IL Is safe 10 say that ne
efforts will be made TO induce many of the
players TO return TO the old fold.
The story OF the 500. 900 war fund has
been revived. IL Is claimed the National
League clubs have each subscribed $l2,5OO
20 be used 10 fight the American League
in securing the return OF the players that
Jumped 10 Johnson's organization. Chair
man Brush laughed at the idea when the
matter was first given out after the Ma
tional League peace settlement. and there
seems 90 be no great excuse for believing
such a story at this time. The National
will depend more on the law 10 secure the
return or players than on an enormous
fund of money. but still there may be
fund TO act extra tnducement TO have
the stars find their way back 70 the Ma
tional clubs and play good ball. III the
National succeeds in securing the players
that jumped the American League will be
prdCt1cdlly wrecked. Inc American eN-
pected TO do big business this season on
account of the attraction IL had TO offer.
but N the attraction in the form of star
players is lost 1t cannot expect TO play to
large crowds. especially I'm cities where
there Is opposition. The American may
have TO return TO IS and 50-cent ball and
authorize a reduction In Johnson's salary.
His salary was increased az the Detroit
meeting this spring 20 $500
Since the National League his assumed
the upper hand I'm baseball. and the utter
lack of control OF players in all organiza-
tons has been so pronounced. the question
has come up among baseball men Of the
advisability OF another national agreement.
The game prospered better when the Ma
tiOnal League controlled baseball and
there was a national agreement than IL has
since. and IL Is very probable that the con-
troll OF the game will be recognized next
fall.
Louisville Hit Mt Right Time.