Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-18
BALL IN WINTER TINE
Papa Bill Rourke Talks About Next
Seasons Prospects.
WESTERN LEAGUE IN SPLENDID SHAPE
vrm start with Eight Clubs well Or
RanIEed and hacked and ought
40 Prosper ns Never
Before.

Manager w. A. Rourke Of the Omaha base
bail team was caught in a loquacious mood
last week and told many facts concerning
his club and his league. and collaterally
gave his opinions regarding the base bail
situation in the major leagues.
1.-THE Western league will start thefcom-
ing season in far better condition than II
did the last" said Mr.. Rourke. "As 1t was,
we wound up very successfully in 1902, but
our prospects to begin on then we're about
as bright as mud when compared to those
OF this season.
"In every department, players, finances
and clubs, we we're handicapped last year.
improvements for locating new clubs ana
new grounds cost US $4,000 easy. Now we
own all that, so there's one big handicap
removed. Then the month OF March found
three OF our clubs, Kansas City, Milwaukee
and Peoria, without any players to speak
OF. This year almost every club OF the
eight has its list made up entire and not
, one has less than eight men planted. One
Of our losing clubs will be lifted from
that side to the paying column this year
Peoria lost money last season. This year
a stock company has been organized over
there with SIS. 900 capital and is now IN
the best Of shape, with a big list OF players
signed. That will help a lot. And there
is every reason TO believe that milwaukee,
will pay good money this TIM.
STARTING against the heavy odds we
had to encounter, the Western league closed
last season with $40, 900 in the treasury.
We are we'll satisfied with that record.
Milwaukee, Kansas City and Peoria lost
money. st. Joseph, Colorado Springs and
Des Mones made a little each. Omaha and
Denver made big money"
1--WE have the annual league meeting at
Kansas City next Tuesday" continued the
magnate. 1--WE will elect officers, including
four directors and a mar for the combined
station Of president, secretary and treas
urer. M. II. Sexton will doubtless be
named to succeed himself to the latter
= ONCE. Mr.. Sections withdrawal from any
candidacy for the presidency OF the
Three-I league is understood to be on
this condition. He can well afford to give
all his time to the Western league, as he
will receive about $4,000 and expenses tor
the year.
'The board of directors as it now stands
will have a meeting Tuesday morning
II will wind up all old business and pre-
pare it's report for the league meeting
That will come in the afternoon. There
may be a few changes made in the con-
stitution, but they will be minor ones. AS
regards the playing season, that Will be
about as last year. There will be 9
schedule Of 140 games, to about
April 90 and continue FIVE months.
'our eight clubs are all lined up nov
in good shape. At Kansas City kic
Nichols will again be in charge. He has
most Of his old men back. Delehanty vii
probably be playing manager for Denver
He has some new men and a good share
I-ar ntn EvaTiff Will
handle Colorado Springs again. He has
great many new ones. Joe Quinn will re-
main at Des Moines and has picked up quite
a line OF new players. At Peoria Big BIZ
Wilson has six new men and some OF the
old ones. Hugh Duffy has twelve player
signed at Milwaukee now and there ar
many old names among the list. Their
isn't a manager picked for st. Joseph. bu
Van Brunt is pushing things there and ha
eight men signed. / have eight Of my oil
men back and nine more new ones TO
Omaha"
"My team personnel has been v%ariousl,
published and predicted, but l want to Civ
It out now just as It stands. Beginning be
hind the bat there is Johnny Gonding, VIII
has been on the coast for the winter, but /
now in Kansas City. Then there is Jacl
Thomas, who will be second catcher an
utility man. He is in St. Louis now. 10
Wright will be on first base again. He l
now in Decatur, Ill. l have another frs
baseman, Lou Whistler, last years manage
|. Ct the Schenectady. n. Y, team Of the NeN
York State league, who may be with me
He is a corking baseman, and is in 81
Louis now. Ace Stewart will be on SECOND
and is in his old home at Terre Haute, Inc
Joe Dolan is in town and will play short
Ed Hickey will be on third and will com
here from Indianapolis. l intend to sig
one promising young player as a utility In
fielder. l have my eye on the man now, bu
haven't got him yet.
I'm the outield there will be Frank Gen
ms, now in St. Louis. and Robert Carte
who is in Reedsville, N. c. Then there ar
four new ones. OF chief interest to oma
hans will be Harry Welch OF this city, III
Creighton university boy who finished III
season with me in Stones left field Las
MN.IAk No. aAN aA.nA1 hAN 10