The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-07

Hoosiers Lost an Opportunity to Pass
Louisville-Ball Gossip.

Position No. 1, the place on the champion
ship ladder where no other club obstructs
the view, Is one which the Indianapolis
players have experienced great difficulty
in trying to reach. Several times during
the season they have been within one short
step Of that rung. but the unexpected hap
pens and they slip down few points. Up
until yesterday the standing credited In
dianapolis with being just behind the
Louisville team, and had the Hoosiers won
yesterday they would be in first place, as
Louisville split even with Columbus. The
unexpected was the loss of the game at
Toledo. It Is often the tailenders that
cause the clubs fighting for first place the
most trouble and Toledo has surely given
Indianapolis a hard fight this season. A
great deal of luck seems to hover around
the Louisville Colonels. They have been
able to maintain the lead largely through
misfortunes or uDlucky things that have
game was one Of those instances Indi-
annapolis and Louisville will change base OF
operations to-day, Indianapolis playing at
Columbus and Louisville at Toledo. After
these series have been played all the East
ern clubs go West for the last trip.
XXX
Just what members Of the present In
dianapolis team will wear Hoosier uniforms
In 1903 is not known by any one. not even
Manager Watkins or the players them
selves. The team as a whole has made
such good record this year that 1t would
seem that big league clubs would make
handsome offers to the club for the release
Of players. or, If they wanted to do the rob-
bing act, to offer players inducements to
leave next year. but individually there are
few members or the Indianapolis team that
can show record for this season that
would induce many big league clubs to de-
sire their services. Indianapolis stands In
a fighting place for the championship be-
cause OF the collective efforts OF the play
ers, and not through the sensational work
or any one or few of the men. Their pat
ting averages are low, and had Ii not peen
Tor playing the game, good pitching and
good fielding, the Hoosiers would not now
De In such an enviable place in the race.
year. but it is believed that If thy do it will
not be the failure of Manager Watkins TO
oner them contracts to play here next sea-
son. He ts pretty well satisfied with the
team. and majority of the players viii
be onered contracts to play in Indianapolis
again In 1903 long before the snow fles, or
even before the football season Is fairly
would like to see the same team represent
Indianapolis in 19O3 but II this is impos-
sible the fans hope there will be only a few
changes. The team might be improved In a
~
next year 1t is safe to say they will be
good players, as Manager Watkins will not
fail to give indianapolis first-class team.
John T. Brush left for New York yester-
day, but he failed to state the reason for
his journey to Gotham. 1t Is baseball mat
tsrs and probably concerns the New York
club. but there are chances that the welfare
Of the National League may have some
thing to do with his flying trip to the
East. There have been fresh stories lately
that John T. Brush is laying plans for the
formation of another twelve-club circuit
for the National League the coming season
Mr.. Brush would not discuss the matter be-
fore he left, saying that often the plans
laid In baseball are overthrown before they
materialize and II does not pay, during un.
lie the affairs of the National League. In.
dianapolis baseball supporters have enter
tanned hopes that this city would be In
cluded in twelve-club National League
circuit II one is organized, pointing out the
probability Of this city having Sunday base
ball next year, which would make 1t de
sirable as member Of the big league. L
cult it is hardly probable that Indianapoli.
Will be included, as the two additiona
Western clubs may be placed In American
League cities to help wreck Johnson's or
carded there may then be hopes of Indian
apolis getting into the National League
The American Association next year will
furnish even better ball than 1t did thi
season and Indianapolis would then see a.
fast games as in any organization.
The board of arbitration of the CONNER
cial League, the amateur organization o
Indianapolis, has decided the protested
game between the Star Store and People,
Quitting Company teams. played Sept. !
by holding that the protest of the People,
team was not well founded. and the game
should count as a game won by the Sta
Store team. 1t was recently decided b,
the directors of that league that all pro
tests must be made on the field during th
game, but the protest In question was no
made according TO that rule. Affidavits o
the umpires were considered in maxim,
the decision. The question arose over
decision at home plate. when a Star Stor
player scored. The Peoples team hel,
that the umpire changed his decision, bu
the umpire made affidavit that he Gale,
the man safe.