The Washington herald., 1907-12-23

The announcement in yesterdays Wash
ington Herald that Cleveland has pur-
chased Charley Hickman from the Chi
cago White Sox. ended the rumor that
that player is to be placed in charge of
the new outlaw team which the promoters
Of the Union League hope 10 place in this
city
When the player was sold to the Maps
on Saturday there was feeling that per-
haps Hickman would be unwilling to play
in Cleveland Hickman. however, is more
than satisfied with the transfer and he is
confident that he win be able TO satisfac-
torily fiIl the position of first base.
1t was learned yesterday that the Union
League does not intend TO conduct the
club In Washington on outside funds, but
that Immediately after the holidays d rep
resentative OF the organization will return
TO Washington to sell stock for the pro-
posed club Three sites for the park-one
of which is the old American League park
at Thirteenth and d streets northeast-are
being considered by the outlaws.
Another site which was brought 20 the
attention of Scout Paige. while he was
here last week, is said TO be only Il few
blocks from the present home of the
Washington club at Florida avenue and
Seventh street.
There is a persistent rumor that Lave
Cross is to return here as manager Of the
Unions. When Lave left New Orleans
last fall he announced that his playing
days were over, but he broached the sub
ject Of an outlaw league ia this section to
several Southern League men, and it is
probable that Cross has already had an
understanding with the promoters OF the
new organization that he is TO be placed
in charge OF the local team.
More developments in the Invasion"
are expected after New Years, when the
scouts will return TO reconnoiter.
No intimation of a baseball war, begun
by a revolt of the minor leagues, or by an
invasion Of major league territory by
minor league clubs, has reached the ears
OF P. T. Powers. president of the National
Association OF Baseball Clubs. II have
not received one word from any club in
our association" he says, that would
even go so far as to suggest baseball
war. I know absolutely nothing of
threatened invasion Of Chicago by the
American Association. no club or any
president of any minor league has in the
Iemotest way communicated with me as
TO whether the National Association could
be expected TO sustain a revolt, in case
one was attempted"
The committee of the National Associa-
ton. which was appointed to endeavor to
obtain concessions in regard 70 the draft
ing of players. and which has In mind the
ests, that have complained of inability to
obtain players because too many are
drafted and purchased by the major
leagues. will meet the national commits
sion at Cincinnati on January Z. PROPOSE
tions will be placed before the members
of the commission, and IL is hoped that an
expression Of opinion will be had from
them in time 10 report to a meeting of the
board of the National Association, which
viii take place in Cleveland on the follow
ing day.
In case there are differences between
the association and the commission they
will be taken to Cleveland and laid before
the members of the board. 1t is Mr. Pow
ers' ambition 10 have all adjustments
satisfactorily made. so that at the end of
the first week in January he will have
smooth sailing for what he expects will
be one Of the most successful seasons in
the history of minor league clubs.
COrnie Mack Is not only looking to the
interests of the Athletics for next year,
but is preparing for years to come It is
one Of Macks plans to pick out a star
collegiEn, help him TO get through with
his education, and then have him Join
the Athletics. That is how. he got
COombs, Eddie Collins. Noonan. Nc
Gheehan, Mullin, and several others At
the present time Connie has a crack in
fielder in pickle. whom he is figuring on
TO take the place of one of the older
members OF the team in about two years
This star player is still in college. and
Il may be a year or two before he gradu-
ates. Besides this player. Mack has sew
eral more whose names have never been
made public. Connie helps the boys along.
and when they join bis team other man
ayers say: Il can't see how he landed
that fellow. for I made him a better offer
than Mack"
Connie has been keeping very quiet out
in California, but the other day one of
the Western writer's drew an interview
out OF the elusive Athletic leader Con-
ME was talking about the colleglans, and
had this to say:
The bright fellows who get in the
major leagues from the colleges know
that big money is waiting for as many
or them as can make good. They are
breaking into the game whenever they
think they've got a look-in. / guess they
figure that playing ball for a snug sum
every season, coupled with the fact that
ball playing keeps a fellow in the pink
OF condition and allows a lay-off of sew
eral months during the off season. is bet
ter than carrying a civil engineers chain
for $50 month or doing other work that
is fat with tone and title and slim on the
circulating medium
Another change that all of the old
timers have noticed is this: Nowadays
there is absolutely no more professional
Jealousy among the men: in fact, / have
noticed time and again that the older men
are always willing 10 steer the cubs onto
all the curves as soon as they break into
the big league. This was not so when |
first started playing back in the SOS.
Baseball is becoming a greater national
sport every year. Why, look at the size
Of the teams that play in the major
leagues; all OF them start with from
twenty to twenty-four men. each team
carrying never less than three utility
men, and most OF them have seven or
eight pitchers The greatest all-round
bail player that ever lived is Napoleon
Lajoie. Of Cleveland But I want to saw
that for a sensational spectacular star
that boy Chase, of the New York Ameri-
cans. is hard to beat. never have seen
first baseman that could eclipse him.
Lajoles wonderful skill lies in the fact
that he is absolutely a star anywhere on
the diamond
Charley Comiskey denies the reaorted