The Washington times., 1902-10-20
GROUNDS NOW ISSUE
IN BIG BASEBALL WAR
National Bitterly Opposing
American Invasion.
JOHNSON AFTER new YORK
Available Sites Scarce, But Younger
Organization Is Hopeful of
Good Location.

There can be little doubt that the
present lull in the baseball war is mere
| ly the precursor of important develop
ments. The ending of the playing sea-
son and the balancing of accounts for
1902 has given the magnates of both
American and National leagues unlim.
tied time to make the strategic moves
for 1903 The silence now prevailing
does not augur idleness. 1t merely
means that plans are being perfected
under cover. that history is being made
which. when disclosed, will give the fans
lots to discuss.
In each of the two preceding years the
baseball war has ceItered on one or two
Ioints. There have been secondary is
sues, but some one vital goal has al :.
ways engaged the energies of the con-
testants. Two years ago it was the
ability of the American League to gain
a footing in Philadelphia, Baltimore, atl
Boston that meant the success or fail
ure of the movement. Last year the
war for star players dwarfed all other
issues. The younger organization gained
the better talent, and hence had the
more successful season.
Struggle for Grounds.
This year the great struggle is over
the question of grounds. Ban Johnson
recognizes that there are two weak links
in his chain of cities. Baltimore and De-
troit in the season Just ended cut deep
into the profits made elsewhere in the
circuit. To get the best results this
deadwood must be cut away, and, like
the thorough business man he is, John
son seeks to replace 1t, not with medi-
ocre timber, but with the best. New
York and Pittsburg are the cities at
which he aims.
On good information. it is said that
the American League can enter Pitts
burg If it so desires. Last week busi-'
ness man secured option on five acres of
land only thirteen minutes from the
and reached by seven street
electric lines. One hour after securing
the option he wired Ban johnson. He
was instructed to meet Win Mercer. then
in Pittsburg with the All-Americans, and
Mercer was instructed by Johnson to
look after the rumored find. Mercer ex-
amined the grounds and wanted to leave
his check TO close an option. but this
was refused Johnson must go to Pitts
burg himself to close the deal. Mercer
at once wired Johnson that the deal
should be closed. The parties concerned
are said to be now in correspondence.
National Fighting Hard.
in Pittsburg, as in New York, it is a
moral certainty that the National mag
mates will put every possible obstacle in
the path of the invaders. The opposi-
ton may not make serious trouble in
the Smoky City, for there available-t
ground is comparatively plentiful, but in
the metropolis lots are few and far
between, and Freedman is mighty with
Tammanv.
1t is also true that Tim Sullivan, who
admits privately that he is the backer
Of the new team, wields strong iliiu- |
snce. Sullivan says that he has the op-
ion on three sites, and the one that will |
probably be chosen is below 116th Street. |
on this statement prom |
nent real estate man said that the only |
way to get baseball ground within this
irea would he to pull down buildings.
Johnson Is Resourceful.
But Johnson has already proved his
and there is more than
chance that he has already made good
lis promise to secure a field in the re
ropolis II so he will have dealt the
National League a serious blow, tor the
metropolis is a great baseball town
Although the club was a tail-ender
his year. the attendance at the Polo
irounds surpassed that Of any National
league team. 1t needs no very vivid
to picture the patronage
hat would go to Clarke Griffith with
winning team and 25-cent ball