Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-07
IOWA LEAGUE GOSSIP
Circuit Waits With Keen Inter
est the Opening Of the
Training Season
WILL BE THE TEST YEAR

cial Management Of Its Clubs-lndi-
cations Give Promise of Perman-
sncy-John House Signs With Esan.
The Iowa State Circuit as a whole
is on the very eve of the opening of the
training season, and is looking forward
to it's beginning with keener interest
than has ever been exhibited before,
not excluding the similar period of it's
opening year, 1904. There is certain
good reason for this, which it is be-
lieved the magnates, who have directed
the affairs of the league saw in time
to avert catastrophe. Extravaganza
has been eliminated from the various
associations financial affairs and there
appears to be more sane methods of
management than characterized past
seasons. Which is as it should be if
the Iowa State League is going to
keep on living. Admittedly this is the
test year of this littls circuit. If it
weathers this season, it may go on in
definitely; if it does not, the same Cir
cult cannot be welded together again
out Of the disjoined fragments.
*sx
The point on which success or fail
ure of the league hinges is solely one
of finance. After all, it is the money
that keeps the game going, and wheth-
er or not the league goes on depends
on the conservative attention this de-
partment of the business management
is given. If, with a $1,100 limit hon
estly adhered to, all of the associations
can break event is not expected any
will make money, barring perhaps
Egan at Burlington-the Iowa State
League will probably become a per-
manent fixture in the states sports.
But neither this league nor it's indi-
vidual associations can stand to lose
again this year what practically all
lost in the past. When it comes to
digging" from $1,000 to $4,000 each
season for baseball, the pressure be-
comes too great, for the money comes
from practically the same sources each
year. and those who have put it up"
will not dig next year as they did this.
1t is then UP to the managers, the as
ISOLATION directors, President Peckham
and all officially connected to watch
closely expenditures and curtail ex-
penses.
BY the beginning of week after next
each team of the Iowa State League
will have reported. Already some of
the managers are on the field. Egan
has been at Burlington for week,
chasing his world-beaters from Ath-
letic park and back thru the mud, but
real practice has been badly interfered
with by the rainy weather. Pat Nc
Andrews is in Keokuk and the dope
sters of that city have begun to sit up
and take notice of things. Harold
Johnson, the stalwart harness maker Of
Rockwell City, has HE'D himself to
Boone, and fandom there has begun
to take real interest in life. Niles
has come and gone from Ottumwa, and
the town made famous by the sandy
haired Snapper, is still discussing the
event Brown and his pennant chas.
ers, yet to be named, is scheduled to
arrive the middle of the coming week.
Boyle is already on his stamping
ground. And SO it goes on, and in
another ten days the buzz of the fan
will be in full blast, and you can find
squads playing the game over on most
any street corner on favorable even
ings.
Egan has finally induced John House
to become full f1edged Burlingtonian
by affixing his signature to one of
Egan's contracts. House, altho really
the property of Egan, had not signed,
owing to clash over terms, which was
finally compromised. There was a time |
when House was newer to the game
than he is now when $50 per was suf
ficient for the Oneida. Since then
John has brushed up against the white
man and has grown wise as a conse- |
quence. Then the buying of John by
late in the fall of 1904 put |
certain foolish notions in his head, evil
denced by his demanding half of the
purchase price which, however, he did
not receive. So House has learned, and
while he has been learning. his base
ball knowledge has kept apace, for
there is no better, faster, cleaner out
fielder in the Iowa League today than
House, the Indian.
Unless Boone needed the money it
should have chung to Red" Fisher,
outfielder. AS it is now Boyle has
Fisher by reason of purchase, and in
him has secured valuable player.
Fisher is fast on the bases. one of
The best in the league, correspondingly
active lin the field and a fair hitter.
Boyle has also secured "Dooley,' Clin
IONS first baseman of two years ago.
and Dooley is good. This city might
nave had him, as he made application
several weeks ago, but contract was
not sent him. Incidentally the league
should keep an eve on Boyle. He is
scheduled to put UP as game a battle
or the pennant as is likely to be seen
anywhere on the circuit.
ZULU is VICTOR AS ORATOR.
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