Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-05
BASE BALL.
Reported Now That American League
 will Not Be Changed.


 Word was received in New York last night that at the meeting of the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, to convene at Detroit to-day, the proposition of John T. Brush to take in the New York and Cincinnati clubs will be summarily reflected. This information comes from Cincinnati, where it is asserted Brush learned of his failure to con- meet with Ban Johnson several days ago. If this turns out to be true, it will clearly demonstrate the loyalty of Johnson to A. G. Spalding and to organized baseball. It is said, how ever, that several American league clubs have been i'll favor of Brush's plan, but that the stubborn opposition of several others has effectually blocked matters. The only way Brsh and Freedman can secure berths 1n the American league. as tho matter stands at present, is for them to buy the Cleveland and Baltimore fran chises. If they should make these purchases, the American league would be forced to take them i'll. some people believe that Freedman and Brush have been dickering along these lines, but with what success nobody seems to know. It would take prob ably $30,000 cash to buy the Balti- more club and at least $15,000 to se- cure the Cleveland franchise.
 In the event of such q transaction Freedman and Brush could not very well desert Soden of Boston and Rob- ison of St Louis for whose holdings the American league people ill those cities are said to be unwilling to put up a dollar. Looking the ground over carefully, therefore, it is consid- cred q foregone conclusion that there will be no change in the American league circuit. As the Spalding clubs of the National league have declared themselves as unalterably opposed to the methods of Freedman and Brush, the importance of the court proceed ings which are scheduled to begin in New York tomorrow before Justice TruaX can be readily appreciated. The argument to-mbrrow will be upon demurrers filed by counsel for the de- fence to the effect that the court has no Jurisdiction on the ground that the Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Chicago clubs are foreign corpora tions and that the National league is
 
 tary o-partnership. If the court should sustain the demurrers, the case would be thrown out and A. C.. 1 Spalding would still be president of the league, but if the court should de- eide otherwise, the next move would be the argument of the injunction suit which would probably go over to the April term. Tn either event, there 11111 1o s1 51yNoIZ that has existed since last December, unless the rival factions, weary of le- gal procedure, should decide to get to- gether and play ball. pending a decis- ion of the existing troubles next fall It seems quite evident that the near ness of the playing season is having it's effect on certain weak-kneed club officials, who care more for the click Of the turnstiles than for the princi- pies which have caused the present arrangement in the leagues ranks.
 Buck Morrison has third baseman named Thurston that Meriden may give trial in the early games
 Meriden will give Eddie Mercer. a Biddeford, Me, pitcher, with fine local reputation, a trial this season. Jack Gilmartin, who played second base so well for Meriden the latter part of last season, has signed with Meriden for the coming season. He ought to be very strong player this season.
 Waterbury has secured the services of Luskey for another season, and they get a mighty good man, too. He was one of the best in the league last l season, taking his all round play into consideration Bridgeport Post.
 Jack Townsend, the star twirler of last years Philadelphia National league. team, is dangerously i'll at his home in Laurel, Delaware, with ty- | phoid fever. He will not be able to go south with the club on it's training trip.
 1 Mayor Bookwalter of Indianapolis said yesterday that he would not per- init Sunday baseball there because it would be in violation of the state law. This will disarrange the American as- sociation schedule, and Manager Wat kins says it is Sunday ball or no ball at all.
 Christy NIathewson of the New York baseball team went to Scranton yes- terday from the home of his father at Factoryyille, where he has been spending the winter The young man has been troubled with his arm all winter and has been taking massage treatment.
 Mike Delaney of this city has re ceiyed contract from Manager O'Rourke for the coming season, but he has not as yet signed it and he says he does not intend to sign it at the salary promised him. He is going to Bridgeport this week and will call up. on Manager James for a little conver. sation.
 The Norwich management is ready to talk business with any club in re spect to the transferring of Catcher Tommy Manning, who has been signed Manning is a good player and would strengthen some State league team Perhaps that Rip Van Wrinkle New London club would like hifn.-Norwich Record.
 Buck Morrison, Meriden's fine center fielder, has returned his signed con tract. No better fielder in the league than the Somerville boy.-Meriden Journal Funny, isn't it? Morrison played six games with New London i1 1900 without making a hit and ther