The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-23
WILL BABB PLAY HERE?
Is A QUESTION MANAGER WATKINS
REFUSES TO ANSWER.
Friends Intercedine In Babb's he
half-Eighteen Players Signed
The Expansion Subject.


manner in which he jumped the team last
summer to go to Memphis. He has not
been forgiven and some may never forget.
but even at that they must acknowledge
that he is a good ball player and should
some deal be framed up between Babb and
the management for him to play here next
season the fans may forgive him If he plays
good ball.
Before the time Babb took French leave
and went to Memphis he was the best third
baseman in the American Association and
an idol Of the bleacherites. But he made
a grave mistake. and the rooters welcomed
woodruff at third. and later applauded
kuhns when the left fielder was transferred
to the infield position. Everybody wished
babo bad luck, even the players looking
upon him as about the worst of the entire
lot OF contract jumpers 1t is said that
within week after he joined Memphis he
wrote letter to one of the players on the
indianapolis team and admitted that he had
made a mistake in jumping his contract
with indianapolis, but ii was then too late
to make amends.
For several days, in fact, for several
weeks, 1t is known that some of Babb's
friends in this city have called upon Man
ager Watkins and interceded for the player
to be given another chance on the Indi-
annapolis team. Manager Watkins said yes
terday that Babb has not been signed, but
he would not say that Babb would not play
here next year
II war was still in progress and Babb
was the only third baseman in the country
L could get 1 would not think of playing
him on the indianapolis team" said Man.
ager Watkins. "But peace has been de-
clared, and the managers of clubs in
leagues that were at war have agreed to
bury the hatchet, and this will end con-
trace jumping. Babb was one of the men
In the country who yielded 10 temptation
and did just what one of those managers
asked him to do and jumped his contract.
III Indianapolis should not use him and we
snould mold against him his breach of faith
committed last season and refused to sign
him some other club would be able to get
very valuable player. The Indianapolis club
needs a good third baseman and wouldn't
IL De cutting on our noses to spite our
faces If We held up against Babb the fact
that he jumped contract?"
Manager Watkins would not state posi-
tlVely mat ne intends signing Babb, but
his statement would leave one to believe
that he is seriously considering the mat
ter.
If Babb becomes a Hoosier again the In
dianapolis infield will be the same as 1t
was at the beginning of last season-Kihm,
first; Fox, second; O'Brien, short, and
Babb, third. Captain Fox was in Manager
Watkins's office yesterday during the con-
versation regarding Babb, and he said the
players would all like to see Babb gain on
the team. This may have some influence
with the management. Captain Fox said
that Babb realizes that he made a mistake
and is anxious to make amends. If Babb
&c CfC and I[rrt1N nx.I Iy>n 1.-r,Nf
their autographs TO Indianapolis contracts
it is quite likely that Woodruff will be
used as a charge catcher and KuhnS placed
in left again.
There are eighteen signed contracts in
Manager Watkins's safe for the season of
1908, and the list does not include few
men who are much desired. The names of
most of the players who have signed were
published the morning after Manager Wat
kins returned from Chicago. The entire list
is as follows: Gathers. Edward Heydon and
Claude Berry, the latter Of last years Dali
las, Tex, team; pitchers, A. J. Hamilton,
Dallas. Tex; John Kennedy, Illion, N. Y;
Merryman, Kellum, Williams and Killen;
Almond, Charles Flick and Ben Cafrryn.
who played third base for the Bloomington
team of the Three 1 League last year; out
fielders, James T. Jones. New York; Dave
Il
Hogriever has not yet signed, but terms
have been arranged and he will be a
Hoosier next year. 1t will be noticed that
Sutthoff, who was signed by Cincinnati,
Woodruff, Kuhns and Matthews are the
only members of last years team who have
not signed. Matthews is not wanted. and
time will tell IL Woodruff and KuhnS come
back. 1t is more than an even bet that they
will.
The report that the American Associa-
ton may enter Chicago and Detroit should
not be cast aside as a mere idle rumor,
for 1t is being seriously considered by the
association magnates. Much depends upon
the proposed expansion. Comiskey, owner
of the Chicago American League club, will
probably move his club to the West Side
and secure grounds not far distant from
Harris National League Park. Comiskey
desires to do this in order to secure more
people at the increased price. The South
Side Park will not support O-cent and 10
and if COmiskey leaves the American AS
ISOLATION people contemplate securing his
park on the South Side and playing &-cent
ball This may be accomplished in plenty
of time for the season of 1903, or it may
not be done for another year. If IL does
come about IL is very probable that the st.
Paul club will be transferred TO Chicago
under Mike Kelly's management. Owner
Lennon tried to secure a downtown park In
CT Paul last year, and cheap politicians
n Is said. prevented him from locating near
the business district, where he could make
his investment pay. BY vacating ST. Paul
~ is believed the Minneapolis club would
be benefited. The proposition to enter De-
troit Is not altogether needle dream. y
Detroit may be dropped by the American
League TIC, place club in Pittsburg. If II
is not done before 1908 il is believed that
Detroit win not last longer than next year
That city is too good to be left out OF a
good league and the American Association
would enter IL and furnish first-class ball
as the association will be stronger next
year than last season, and even better IT
i9o4 Now comes the question what Ameri'
can Association city would be dropped &c
make room for Detroit should matters
shane themselves so that city can be taker
in With St. Paul out tgofng TO Chicagol
MINNEAPOLIS would be up in the corner al
alone. and there are certain grievances ths
owners have in that city that are sufflclen
10 cause them to transfer their club TO De
troit The most important is the question
Of being allowed to play Sunday ball or
the regular grounds IL this should be al
lowed then some other city would have tC
he dronped Manager Watkins gives al
afu,osphere of seriousness TO the proposed
EXPANSION, but he will not discuss II thor
oughly at this time.
Patrons of baseball should rejoice In th'
neace that has been declared by the Ma
,,onaI Association of Minor Leagues. I'm
der the conditions last year managers ant
al ma a N ms