Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-20
DEFENSE or CITY LEAGUE.
Not Fair to Condemn League for Mis-
 takes of Others.
Waterbury, August 20, 1908.

takes of Others.
 Waterbury, August 20, 1903. To the Editor of the Democrat:
 Dear Sir-In justice to the managers, officers and players in the City Anna teur league of this city, a few words should be written relative to the con troversy which has arisen between the Naugatuck Fire department base ball team and the manager of the so- called Moonights of this city. Ever since have been elected president of the City Amateur league have en- deavored to make the baseball as played by the various teams as clean as any that can be found in the Ma tional or American leagues. During all last season there was but one act of rowdyism perpetrated and that act caused the suspension of three play CTS. Rules govern this league and those rules have been strictly lived up to. Each manager has been warned to advise his players to conduct them selves gentlemanly both on and off the field. believe tha warning has had good success. It is difficult to control Ptdy W Uo d1C 1tOL uAGOI DdL there Is no doubt about it that the City Amateur league of this city has a clean reputation as far as the conduct of the players is concerned.
 The officers of this league cannot prevent some of the players from talk ing part in other games and the league should not be condemned for games outside the league The Moonlights y3.r r1<1% Haxa1 4a 1oa There is no doubt but that some of the players on the Moonlight team are members of the City 1eague, but. as was said before that cannot be pre- vented, cnlv on occasions where the teams in this league are scheduled to play. Then they must play with their own teams or stand suspended. William Kieley of Naugatuck has um- pired many games in the City league and is expected to do so again before the season closes. and he can attest to the absence Of rowdyisn on the ball field. The president nor a whole reg. iment of presidents cannot control the element which follows certain teams, and if such element is guilty of ac- tions as attributed to those followers of various teams. it cannot honestly be laid at the door of the City league.
 Another thing in connection with this controversy might well be stated here. 1t was through no act of row dyism that the games were stopped here on Sunday. It was a precau- ticnary measure taken to prevent crowds gathering at any point while the trolley. strike was on in this city. I do not wish to make any accusa tions against either Naugatuck or Water bury rooters for ungentlemanly acts, as that is something which cannot well be prevented. I am sorry this snap team called the Moonlights was organized because before the season closed it was intended to arrange one or more games with Naugatuck with some of the teams of the City league The officers of this league and the managers have endeavored to conduct themselves as true sportsnen by in sisting at all times on clean baseball I would to-day like to make arrange merlts with the mana cement of the fire department team for a series Of games between the two places, and the Naugatuck rooters can rest assured that there will be no acts of rowdydsm permitted on the part of the Water bury players.
 Tn conclusion I will state that the accusat ation made in this mornings communication that ringers were used in the deciding of the championship last season is not true. That was one of the strongest rules adoDted last year and is still in vogue There is no place for ringers in the league and there is no connection whatsoever between the six teams in the City Am ateur league and the Moonlights, Con solidated team or any other team out side the Brooklyn Athletic club. the Washington Hills St Josephs, North Ends. Pastines and the Merrimacs, which compose the City league.
 Respectfully yours,
 E. l.. MALONEY,
 President City Amateur League