The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14
A THIRD BASEMAN SIGNED
JAMES e. TANsETT WILL COVER THE
THIRD CORNER IN 1908.
He Possesses a Good Record and Is a
Fast Base Runner-Grand Rapids
Situation-BaII Gossip.

1t might have been cold outdoors yester-
day. but the temperature in the pennant
winners Office in the Majestic building was
very warm. 1t caused Manager Watkins
to "thaw OUT and divulge the name Of the
player he has signed to cover third base
next season
Il think that / have a wonderful little
player for the third corner next year."
said Manager Watkins. His name is
James E. Tansett. and, although young. he
has had the benefit of experience in fast
company. Tansett played with the Cleve-
land Americans the latter part of the sea-
son Of 1901 and last season was with the
Albany, N. Y, club. He is great fielder.
second Fox or Hogriever on the bases,
and great bunter. 1 have watched his
work and records for some time. and was
greatly pleased when 1 was able to secure
him. expect that he will greatly improve
MS STICK work next season, and there will
be no fault whatever to find with the man
1 nave selected to occupy one of the most
important positions on the team
The announcement of the signing OF Tan
sett makes the indianapolis infield COM
plete. The National Association has
awarded Catcher Berry, signed by Indian
apolis, to Dallas. Tex. Manager Watkins
does not seem to grieve much over the loss
or Berry and this gives rise to the thought
Orville Woodruff will soon sign an Indian
apolis contract as member of the catch
ing department Heydon has already
signed, but another good cacther is desired,
as indianapolis will not begin the season
with only one catcher, as Watkins intends
10 land another championship flag in 1903.
*
The Central League will be permanently
organized at a meeting to be held in In
dianapolis Jan. 6. The circuit committee
met here last week, and, while all of the
eight cities have not been named, enough
applications were received to make IL nee
essary for a committee to visit the cities
and select the most favorable ones. The
organization will be one in which Indiana
should take pride, as four and possibly
five, cities of this State will be members of
the league. Fort Wayne, Marion. Terre
Haute and Evansville have secured berths.
ana south Bend is being considered The
league should be stronger than the old
Interstate or the Western Association as
the circuit will be more compact, and the
organization will be conducted by thorough
Rapids that the ball fans of that CITY do
not enthuse over the prospects of Grand
Kapids being a member of the new league.
Since the Western League franchise was
taken from Grand Rapids interest in base
ball has been fiat in that city 1t is also
stated that Manager Dickerson, who holds
the lease of the baseball park says he
would not rent the grounds to Walter Will
mot under any circumstances. This seems
10 be the opinion OF only a very few citi-
zens OF Grand Rapids as it is believed Will
mot could take a winning team to Grand
Rapids and make good. If there is any
truth In the report that Grand Rapids will
not welcome the Central League il must
have emanated from the persons who own
the franchise In the Michigan State
League. The Central League will be a
much stronger organization than the Mich
lgan League. and Grand Rapids should not
turn down chance to get into the Central.
There is no chance for that city to get a
franchise in one of the larger organiza-
tons, and 1t had better accept the Centrals
offer.
The ultimatum recently issued by Presi-
dent Hickey, of the American Association,
to President Lennon, of the st. Paul club
| has brought the citizens of ST. Paul to a
| quick realization that ST. Paul might be
without baseball unless Lennon was per.
| mitted to erect a downtown park Las,
year the st. Paul City Council refused to
allow downtown ball, and the utimatum
issued by President Hickey that St Pau
must be allowed to play its weekday games
| In downtown park or transfer the club
TO some other city brought forth the news
| that President Lennon will have a down.
town park. President Lennon says he will
erect ball park to cost $4,000, and will
| spend an additional 5000 in an EFFORT tc
| secure pernant- winning team for ST
| Paul. Mr.. Lennon says if the City Council
| refuses him permission to erect a down.
| town park on the site he has secured he
| will be forced to accept the Association
offeT to take the st Paul franchise off his
| hands as he will not control team in any
! city other than st. Paul.
Harry Pulliam is now the president O,
the National League. Pulliam Is not new
in baseball by any means. He was con
nected with the Louisville National League
team for many years, and later with tn,
| Pittsburg team. Pulliam may not have
been the first choice of all the magnates
but in view of the fact that Mr.. Templ,
and Mr.. Ward declined the presidency
| club owners thought that Pulliam would l.,
! the best man. Just how much power viii
be vested in him is not known, as II is be
lieved he will be more or less subservien
| to the board of control, whether that board
is actually in existence or not The leagu,
| will no doubt be governed by the sam,
| men who have had control of it for tn,
past year, but everything promises to b,
| harmonious. Pulliam was instrumental
| with w. II. Watkins. in trying to organic,
| the American Association during the win
| ter of 1900, an organization that woul,
| have blocked the American Leagues ex
! pansion had 1t not been killed while II
| an embryotic state by John /. Rogers