The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
GOOD TEAM PROMISED
TO GRAND RAPIDS FANS
A. H. Collins Is Making Efforts
to Corral Players That Will
Lead the Central.
GOSSIP OF THE LEAGUE,
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. Feb 13.-If A. H.
Collins, of Grand Rapids, makes good all
he is promising for that city in the Central
Baseball League there Is little doubt that
on paper the season will start with Grand
Rapids as the leader. The once homeless
club is to be composed Of the best players
money and influence can obtain. Mr.. Col
Inns says he will have a downtown park
and that two substantial men of the city,
whose names are not made public, will
take half the stock of the corporation with
him. He says he will pay the New York
American League people the $50 they ask
for the release of Herman Mcfarland, who
is to be manager and play at first base. in
stead of the outfield as he has done in
the past.
William Blakely, who was with Wheel
ing, has been secured for right field. Mana
ger Griffith, of New York, also has turned
over to him Jim Robinson. an outfielder
who was taken south with the New York
team last spring. and Jack Flannery. form
erly with Helena. Collins also says Comisky
has promised to help him corral some good
players.
The managers Of other clubs in the league
want without trouble, except South Bend.
Cecil Ferguson has sent back the $125-a-
month contract without his signature. The
HERE Haute High School pitcher wants
500. 1t is said that no club in the league
is likely TO pay that figure this year for
any player. The average salary of pitchers
in the league is to be about $125. Left
Fielder Coffey has been drafted by st. Paul.
ST. Paul says too much money was paid;
that only $500 instead of 500 was due
President Carson, of South Bend. says he
will keep Coffey. Dayton is to give the
management of the team to John Spatz
of that city, who was under consideration
for the position last year when an effort
were negotiations with Ulrich, of Kansas
City but his offer was not accepted. Terre
Haute has about lined up its team, but
several men will have tryouts in addition to
the following: Street of the Hopkinsvlle,
Ky, team, and Pollack, of the Iowa League,
catchers; j. w. Thompson, left field; Deck
field: "Dottie Freeck. of Columbus o.,
third base; Smith. Grubbs and Reed of last
years team, pitchers. There is deal on
for a first baseman Richardson, the OLD
man and catcher. and the management,
doubt the advisability of his continuing in
Terre Haute not that he isn't good man.
but the fear is that he has been with
Terre Haute too long. Moreover, it is be-
lieved he can better himself He received
$50 at the beginning of the season last year,
the DeSt OH the team, anu WI n
that would have earned $3.50 in a larger
league.
The managers are interested in the
schedule to be adopted at the meeting next
month After that they will report to their
respective cities TO get a start with local
conditions. 1t is conceded that a short
series schedule will be adopted. Last year
some cities had series running as long as
twenty-seven straight games at home. 1t
was found to be too many games, even
with the home club winning great ma
Nnt ha oil N
games will be adopted this year. There will
be three holidays with double headers and
the three cities which get these games Will
have one less Sunday game than the others.
There are twenty Sundays to be appor-
toned, on the basis of ten for each city,
with the exception mentioned.