The Washington times., 1902-12-08
NATIONAL LEAGUE TO
HOLD ANNUAL MEETING
Proceedings to Be Coated
With Harmony.
PRESIDENT TO BE ELECTED
W. c. Temple, Of PittsbuTg, in Favor.
No Fights in Sight, and Ses-
sion Promises to Be Tame.

NEW YORK. Dec. S-The annual
meeting Of the National League opens
here tomorrow. and much stress is be-
ing laid on the harmony that will pre-
vail at the yearly session OF the base
ball men. Realizing that a solid front
must be maintained to resist the ag-
gressiyeness Of the energetic American
League. the proceedings are to be
thickly coated with harmony. One for
all and all for one. and the deuce take
the American League. such seems to
be the spirit vi.a which the legfsla-
tive factors OF the National League are
assembling here.
There are no fights in sight in the
National. and the meeting promises to
be tame unless. for instance. the Phlla-
delphia club should voice its objection
to the New Yorks having signed Dele
hanty, as is said to be the case.
W. c. Temple Favored.
A president may be elected. and there
is only one name mentioned for the
place. that Of w. G. Temple. of Pitts
burg; but the feeling is not universal
that this is the time to have a presi-
dent Some think It would be as we'll
TO keep on with the executive commit
tee OF three-Brush, Hart, and SUDDEN
while there is war on and the game
in an uncertain state.
1t is the general opinion, however.
that Mr.. Temple would make a good
man for the Office II he would accept,
being a sportsman for sports sake. NJ.
Temple a few years ago put up a trophy
for the first and second teams TO com
pete for at the end OF the season.
The Temple cup games added greatly
to the interest in the race, and the
magnates showed their appreciation Of
the gift by abOlishing the Temple cup
games. Brush said yesterday he could
not see how any man outside the league
would be better qualified to conduct
affairs than those in It.
One thing tnat helps 10 make the COM
ing meeting Of interest is the fact that il
is to be followed shortly by the American
League meeting. The National League
gathering takes on this yicarious interest
because at the American League meeting
it is promised that the location OF the
American League grounds in New York
will be made known. That is far and
away the most interesting subject before
the baseball public this winter. National
League adherents say that the American
is bludlng and has no grounds Ia New
York American League partisans say
the National Is whistliug 20 keep up its
courage. and that the only thing that re-
mains to be announced about the grounds
is their location. They say the National
will wake up soon and find the enemy IN
a strong position right within gates.
Foul-Strike Rule.
a topic that has created much discus
sion, and which the National Leuguers
may consider, is the foul-strike rule.
Many players would like 20 see II ahol-
ished, while others are just as strongly
In favor Of retaining 1t. That il handi-
caps the weak hitters is generally con
ceded. but Il quickens the game and does
not detract from its attractiyeness a par
ticle.
After trying various salubrious cli-
mates hereabouts for spring training for
several seasons and not winning any pen
nants therefrom. there Will be change
next spring by the local managemct
The New York players will report in
Washington on March II. and from there
20 to Savannah, where they will put IN
the time until March &c. Then they will
start North. playing exhibition games as
follows. March p. Birmingham; 2S and
IS. Memphis 80 and 81. Nashville. April
and ?. Louisville: and 4, Indianapolis;
and G. Columbus. and possibly in Buf-
falo or Rochester on April 7. They VIII
report at the Polo Grounds on April for
a series Of exhibition games prior to the
opening OF the season.