Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-18
BASE BALL.
Still Trying to Straig%ten Out The
 Base Ball Muddle

Still Trying to Straig&ten Out The
 Base Ball Muddle.
 Though several Nationalleagu mag mates have taken pains to deny the story that there will be q schedule meeting in New York on or about March 24, A. H. Soden, president of the Boston club, who is one of Freed mans most loyal supporters, declares with emphasis that there will be a joint conference between the rival fac tions within the next ten days. As Soden made this assertion on last Fri day, it may be seen that March 24, in his estimation, is the latest date on which a conference can be held. So- den's exact words were:
 within ten days there will be a meeting. No date has been set but there will surely be a joint conference within the time I have stated The eight National league clubs wiE get together on some satisfactory basis and we shall be able to go ahead with our schedule immediately. This meet ing will be held irrespective of what action the court may take in the mat. ter of the suit"
 Soden also intimates that the Spald- ing four will stick to their leader un- less the latter withdraws or the court makes definite ruling as to the legal ity of his election. He also hints that the affairs of the league can be regulated by q committee on which both sides may be represented, or that N. F. Young can act as president de jure. with no opposition from the Spalding faction, and go ahead with the schedule. For that matter there is rumor current that a schedule has already been drawn up and copies of it are now in the hands of the eight club presidents, awaiting their ap- proval by mail vote before it is for mally adopted and promulgated. As the American league schedule has been built on the old National league plan. 1 the western clubs playing in the east on Decoration Day and the eastern l clubs showing in the west on the Fourth of July, the National league men ill order to avoid a conflict of dates in Boston, Philadelphia. Cbica- go and St Louis. will have to change the plan of their schedule which has held good for a decade.
 The usual magnificent inaccuracv in yariably displayed in certain sections of the state when Secretary .O,Rourlye IS discussed is again apparent in the statements going around about tbe local managers doings in regard to Joe Connor. As q matter of fact Manage, 1 U Rourke has had a perfect under standing with Roger Connor on the whole deal, from first to last and there never was q single moment when they l were at Bridgeport Post
 The State league directors will hold a meeting Tuesday, March 9, at tho Hotel Garde. ill New Haven. to com plete details for the opening of the sea son. Secretary O'Rourke said yester day morning that he had decided tf call the meeting for that date. Ht has been waiting the return of Man ager Canavan of the New Haven club who is engaged in polo business. but will return to New Haven by that date Chcago, March 1S.-Hoy, the dea- mute centerfielder, who has played fo1 two seasons on Comiskey's champion snip teams in the American association and the Western league. is so far with out berth for the coming season Manager Loftus made q strong effor to secure his services for the Washing ton team, but to date Hoy has refused to agree upon terms. Boston and S Louis clubs of the American league ar, also reported to be seeking his ser vices.
 It is all explained at last. The, have had an astrologer. or some othe "son of a seventh son'' up in Bristo for the past six weeks, and he ha been making all the predictions abou the future of base ball, no doubt secur ing goodly portion of the revenu, from the slaves and steaks. Inciden tally he relieved some of the innocen Bellites of odd pieces of jewelry. Nov there is much sorrow in the town ant : for the moment smallpox and base bal Is forgotten while every now and thel some chap goes off to the wood lot ant kicks himself, It is a sad situation and there is a great desire for sympa l thy from Hartford and Meriden.- l Bridgeport Post.