Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-13
BASE BALL
The Middle in the National League
 May End at Once


 May End at Once.
 Baseball in amateur circles is booming at the present time. Two leagues have already been organized, the City Amateur league and the Greater Waterbury Amateur league. There win probably be no tction be- tween the teams which form the leagues in regard to grounds. 1t is said that the games in the Greater Waterbury league will be played in the morning.
 At tine present time the managers of the teams in the City Amateur league are hustling around for play CTS. One or two of the managers have already signed nearly all of their players. There appears to be a little trouble in regard to certain play CTS. Two or more teams are after the same players. A number of players may be seen on different teams this season.
 The committee on umpires intends to pick out three competent men, who will know how to umpire. Several names have been suggested. Among them is Kieley of Union City who um- pired last year and gave eminent sat- isfaction If Peter Fox does not intend to play ball this year a large number of persons would be glad to see him appointed an umpire. He is ali old player. knows the game thor oughly and would command the respect Of the players Another person whose name is mentioned in connec- ton with the position of umpire is James Shields of Watertown, q grad uate of Holy Cross college, and who is well up ill sports of all kinds. A number of other persons have been mentioned for the position.
 A rule adopted bN the City Amateur league which meets with little favor from some persons is the one which states that q person must have resid- ed in this city thirty days previous to the opening of the season i'll order to be eligible to play on any team in the league Some persons think that man should be allowed to play, no matter when he makes his residence in this city. If he is an amateur and intends to live here always, they think that he should be allowed to play But this rule is considered an excellent one by the majority of the people. The latter aver that this rule will prevent any ringers being O1OuSAI lO tL1O Cllt DN AuN lGdIu towards the end of the season It will do away with ringers.
 New York, Mar. 13.-The rival fac tions in the National league have reach ed an agreement, it is said last night, to hold a joint conference in this city on March 24, if not sooner This con- clusion was arrived several days ago. after a series of conferences between certain members of the warning com binations, and the meeting will be 1 held regardless of the decision to be handed down by Justice Truax upon the merits of the injunction proceed ings restraining A. c. Spalding from acting as president of the lea que. The club owners want to hear the turnStiles click and need the money that the people may pass into the box offices to pay ground rent, players salaries and travelling expenses.
 1 So far as principle is concerned. the | league remains deadlocked. It is inn possible for the Freedman faction to enact the trust scheme while the Spald- l ing cannot make good the election of A. G. Spalding until the matter has been carried to the highest court in the land. Should Justice Truax sustain the demurrer of Spalding and the four clubs allied with him, it would be up to the league to settle the controversy by compromise which under the pres ent circumstances seems impossible In case he demurrer should be denied. the argument on the injunction pro- ceedings would go over to the April term. An armed truce, so to speak, has been practically decided upon.
 The club owners according to au- thority, have already formulated their plans. When the joint conference is convened, the clubs will stand four to four on all questions. There may be another ballot for president in which event the vote will be four to four. Young ys. Spalding. Then d comprom- ise will be in order and by majority vote it will be decided to proceed with out q president, the business of the league to be placed in the hands of what will be called the schedule and managing committee. This committee will consist of three men. N. F. Young will act as chairman, his duties being about the same as ill past years. John T. Bush will represent the Freedman faction and James A. Hart. the Spald- ing faction, as the other members of the committee. Young will immediate ly draft q playing schedule, and the championship season will accordingly open on or about April IT.
 The umpire staff will be appointed by the committee and all disputes, in cluding protested games, will come be- fore it. In this way there will be plenty of ball playing. At the end of the playing season the Spalding- Freed man fight will probably be resumed under new conditions and circum- stances. If during the coming season the courts should decide that Spalding , is legally the president of the league, lit is Brush's plan to allow him to assume office. if he cares to, with all , of the Freedman clubs still in the cir cult and playing ball.
 The franchise and the players of the
 Rome Baseball club of the New York State league were sold to Johnstown last night for $70O.s
 : Muncie. Ind, March 13.- Harry Me : Intyre, the AIuncie baseball pitcher has signed with the New York team
 He will report q Waco, Texas, March
 IT. for practice.
 Michael ]: Doherty of this city. the T