Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-20
Maroons Are Playing Fast Bail
and Are Worthy of the
Public's Patronage
MEANS TEAM FOR NEXT YEAR
Lack of Attendance at Games vii
Cause Speedy DISARMAMENT of Nine
Receipts Fail to Pay Expenses-Mar-
oons Win Last of Series From Col.
fax in Almost Errorless Game.

Marshalltown bids fair to die an
other base ball death by the end of the
week unless next Fridays game is ex-
tended more generous patronage than
that OF yesterday. When 1t was thought
that finally efforts had been made tina
would result in reviving the old-time
base ball spirit, that predominated so
strongly here in an early day, it seems
too bad that there is not enough in
terest shown to keep the team on its
feet financially.
a few weeks ago business men form
ed stock company with sufficient
capital to start team, and they had
enough faith in the fans of the city to
believe that the patronage at the games
would be such that the team could at
least pay expenses. In this it seems
they We're mistaken, for the patronage
mas been so small that the management
is discouraged, and has reached the
point Where an announcement is made
that unless the outlook is brighter at
the END OF the week, the team viii be
uisbanded. There are a few of the old
time faithful who witness every game.
Among them is It. /. WATSON, who usea
to play ball with Arson, Billy" Sun
day, and others here in an early day.
Mr.. WATSON, like several others in the
city, would rather see good ball game
than to eat big dinner He likes II
for the clean sport that it affords. Mr..
WATSON biS.y,
ing of the prospects of the team dis
banding, that it was . shame that more
interest was not taken, and especially
alter so many people had been putting
up wall for so many years, because
there was no ball team here. Il don't
want TO see better ball than the game
yesterday said Mr.. WATSON, and 1
know others feel the same way. 1t is
too bad there aren't more like some of
US Old fellows In connection with
the conversation on base ball In gem
eral, Mr.. WATSON makes a good sug-
gestion. 1t is to get the Algona
Brownies, or some other team that has
reputation, to come here and meet the
Maroons, and have Captain Arson como
out from Chicago and umpire the game.
He thinks something like that might
have better result in stimulating the
interest. IL the fans can he walked up
once, base bali will go, but the thing is
TO rouse them from their Rip Van
Wrinkle slumhars.
The situation therefore, has narrowed
down TO just this. 1t is up to the public
to come out and support a team that,
by the games that have been put up.
and the victories won. is certainly de-
serving. The team is playing fast
ball, and ont OF the six games has won
five. The formation and financing of
this ball nine are not money making
schemes. Those who contributed are
willing to donate what they originally
put in, Ii the team can pay expenses.
The receipts. except in one instance,
have not been large enough TO do this.
Tuesdays game with Colfax was an
excellent exhibition of fast, clean ball.
The receipts We're s43.75. which will bu.
little more than pay the expenses of
the visiting team, without taking into
consideration the salaries of the home
players, rent of grounds, advertising,
etc. 1t takes money TO hold such men
as Greene, Johnson, Preston and Austin
and there Is only one source of revenue,
the box office. Years ago when the city
had in the field the Marshall
Browns. and had n paid club composed
of twelve or thirteen men, big crowds
witnessed every game and enthusiasm
ran high. The team was a winner, but
it played no better ball, and scarcely as
good. as does the present nine. An
other thing is to be considered. Go To
any city of q similar size in Iowa, and
almost without exception, 1T costs 80
cents to see the games, which are no
better than the ball being played here,
two or three times week at the Finkle
park diamond. The team is deserving
of patronage, and is a good thing 70,
the town. II the public will give it the
support it must have to continue, ii
may result next year in this city being
one of the several teams in a Central
Iowa League. 1t may also result in
new ball park easier of access than the
present one, or the building of a street
car line to Finkle's. But If the public
will not lend its assistance to a team
with only four paid men. it would be
more than to folly to next year attempt
to start a team with Il salary list of
twelve or fourteen men. This is In no
sense an advertising story, but simply
facts. The Maroons have done well.
and are not being accorded the patron
age of the public they should receive.
A good ball team is a means of adver-
Using the town, and everyone should
have more less interest in its existence
and maintenance. Earlier In the season
many asked: Why cannot Marshall
town have "a good team" Marshall
town now has a team, altho not entirely
al paid, that is successfully doing bust
ness with other teams every man OF
which is working on a salary. What
is the result" Patronage that would
discourage the most optimistic man
ager, and will not pay salaries, rent
etc. 1t is up to the public
Shall or shall not the present team be
disbanded at the end of the week! III
you think it should not, attend Fridays
game and get your friends to go. A
500 crowd would help things nightly.