The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
NO CHANGE in CIRCUIT
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION MAY RE-
TAIN PRESENT CITIES.
SUGGESTIONS Regarding National
Asreement-Rev. Chartrand In
dorses Sunday BaIl-Gossip.

Association and il has been stated that the
st. Paul club and franchise would be re-
moved TO Chicago. President Hickey issued
such an ultimatum several weeks ago, as
it was said that President Lennon, OF the
st. Paul team, would be unable to secure
downtown grounds in st. Paul and the as
sociation did no: care to maintain club
In that city and play on grounds located as
Ear out as the present ones. Hickey de-
clared that the club would be moved to
Chicago. But he went to st. Paul last week
10 confer with President Lennon, and
few days later said he would leave the cir
cult question for the league to decide at
meeting to be held In Chicago next Satur-
day.
Manager Watkins, of the Indianapolis
club. says there is little chance of the cir
cult being changed from what 1t was last
season. The association reserved the right
10 enter Chicago at the peace meeting held
In Chicago last fall. when the differences
between the American Association and the
National Association OF Minor Leagues were
adjusted. 1t was believed then that some
change would be made in the circuit be-
fore the season OF 1903 was opened. 1t was
not thought at that time that the National
and settle their differences. ard had they
not the American Associs ton would have
been free to enter Chicago, making three
clubs in that city. The owners of the Chi
csSo Nationals and the Chicago Americans
have recently stated that they will object
70 any move the American Association
might make TO place third club in Chi
cago. There was some talk of a war be-
tween the American Association and the
two big leagues should the association be
prohibited from entering Chicago, but the
wiser heads of the American Association
never thought of making a step TO enter
Chicago should such move mean war.
Wars are expensive, and hight between
the association and the two big leagues
would be worse than suicide. For this rea-
son the association will probably recon-
mend no change in the circuit, but it will
be left as IL was originally formed. at least
for the present time. Lennon expects to
secure a suitable site in ST. Paul. In case
the objections raised by Hart and Comiskey
can be set aside the association will
riously consider entering Chicago.
XXX
President Hickey. of the American Asso-
citation. has asked the magnates of that or
ganization for suggestions as to what
should be the terms of the national agree
ment to be arranged i'm the near future
by representatives of the National and
American Leagues. and the National Asso-
kins suggested to President Hickey that
the new agreement should not be as far
reaching as the former national agreement,
which was abolished by the National
League two years ago. A national agree
ment Is essential TO organized baseball
This Is conceded by all baseball men, but
Manager Watkins says IL must be equita-
BILE and just to the minor leagues as well
as TO the two major leagues. He says
the drafting price of players from minor
leagues should be increased over the
amount designated in the former agree
ment and should not be less than 1850
in Class leagues in the minor league
organization. The drafting price for play
ers from other leagues should be graded
accordingly. The American Association
Is in Class A. Mr.. Watkins says the
National Association of Minor Leagues
has weathered the baseball war and for
two years has been independent OF the
big leagues. Ii has an identity, and should
not lose IL or its independence by any
national agreement that might be arranged
"A player that has been developed and made
a star in Glass a league Is a valuable
asset to the club with which he is signed
or reserved. IL ne is strong enough for
one Of the big leagues he Is easily worth
$500, and even that price would not repair
the loss of his services to the club from
which he was drafted. for the club could
not take the money and secure another
player that would be as valuable to the
club. Mr.. Watkins also suggests that the
draft price OF a player should be paid by
club as soon as a player is drafted. with
out paying part at one time and carrying
the payments on the installment plan.
Above all. Manager Watkins suggests the
National Association of Minor Leagues
should retain it's identity In settling dis
putes that may arise between the various
minor leagues instead OF leaving them to
be adjusted by the committee composed OF
the big league representatives. He says
the National Association board will be Just
IS able to settle all differences that might
IN "A mi Qe he 10 1aaS
resentatives. and this privilege should be
retained by the minors. The matter OF
territorial rights would of course. be a
question for the board of arbitration of the
entire body to decide.
Baseball fans hope to see the bill now
pending In the Legislature to legalize Sum
day ball playing in indianapolis passed dur
ing this week. Followers of the game
know that such law would mean much to
the national game in Indianapolis. This
city will always be represented In a first
class organization IL Sunday games are per-
mitted here. while. on the other hand il is
doubtful IL II would be retained in the pres
ent organization IL the Legislature does not
pass the bill. There are thousands of ad-
vocates for Sunday ball under the restric-
tons named in the bill. Business men,
labor unions and members of the clergy
vigorously indorse the bill One OF its
strong advocates is the Rev. Joseph Char
trand. assistant priest OF IS. Peter and
Paul. who has issued the following state
ment on the question:
The Catholic Church does not forbid
honest and moderate recreation on Sundays
The church knows what We are, and she
knows what we Meet Too much labor and
continual strain are not compatible with
our nature. For this reason, far from for
bidding all distraction and all recreation
the church invites US. after we have done
our duty. to rejoice
"Recreation Is necessary for man. and
aids him much TO perform his duties well.
After man has done what his religious
convictions require him 10 do on Sunday
do not see why he should be forbidden 10
witness a game OF ball. certainly an honest
and Innocent amusement The evils sup
posedly attendant upon Sunday baseball
and forbidding IL on Sunday. exist during
the week. too. These evils are not neces-
sarfly associated with the game and car
and should be controlled.
AS Sunday Is day consecrated not only
TO religion but also TO relaxation OF mind
and body. man may spend a portion of IN In
legitimate recreation. and may therefore
made for man. not man for the Sabbath
The Central League magnates will NEE,
ct Anderson next Wednesday TO perfect It's
organization and elect a president. There
seems TO be little doubt OF e H. Bingham
sporting editor OF the Sentinel. being elect.
ed to this office. Bingham would make q
gooa executive officer. as he is thoroughly
acquainted with baseball legislation ant
every inning OF the game. The magnate.
would make wise move Ia unanimously
eiectfne him 10 the Office. NJ III SEXTON