Arizona republican., 1908-08-13
AN fX-DIRECT0R OF
 NATIONAL LEAGUE
Justice Johnstone Recalls Early His
 tory Of Organization.

Justice JOhnstOne is one of the dyed in the wool fans in Phoenix. That is apparent to all followers of baseball. Never a game passes but the justice may be seen perched in the grandstand, rooter among rooters. who knows the fine plays and appreciates them. While this is a known fact, it is not generally known that Justice Johnstone was one of the moving spirits in or ganizing the National league, one of the members of the first board of di- lrectors, and held that office two years after the league was put on its feet. Speaking in a reminiscent way yes terday the justice recited the beginning of the organization which has cOntinu- ed with increasing success year after year. It was at the close of the season in 1875 when the movement for a per manent league with new regulations and run on a new basis was talked. That season, said the justice, there had been forty three clubs started and fell out before the close. The system had not yet been worked out and fail ures were frequent
 The games played with defunct teams were not counted at the end of the season and things were badly messed up. In October of this year in room 32 of the Louisville hotel met a bunch of men which was to success fully launch the league. Justice John stne was at that time general agent for the railroads into Louisville hand ling the passenger business Of that section of the country. He was also la lover of baseball. Another Louisville man he recalls was Walter NJ. Holde- man publisher of the Courier-J Journal who would anytime stop his work, stack his feet on the desk and talk baseball to the exclusion of other mat ters.
 At the meeting in room 32 were Hull burt president of Chicago club; Al Spaulding, a pitcher; Crook of Boston, Charles F vie and Bishop of St. Louis, John Joyce e Cincinnati, C. F.. Chase, Thomas Sherby and MT. JOhnstOne representing Louisville. Tentative plans were outlined for a league of ed two weeks later in St. Louis at which Justice Johnstone represented Louisville and Cincinnati clubs.
 The next meeting was held at Cleve- land, which was neutral grounds, hay ing no club in the circuit The meet ing took place at the Kennard hotel late in the winter of 1876 and it was decided to take in eight clubs in all, four western and four eastern. M. ApoloniO was elected president, Hull burt, vice president; and Nick Young, secretary. New playing rules and reg ulations were adopted and from that on the league was a success.
 Speaking of some of the old time rules the justice recalled that the pit cher had to deliver the ball from be- low the hip. Thr/ strikes and a fair ball or virtually four strikes were all lowed and a batter was not permitted to take first base till ten balls had been delivered, instead of four as is now the case. There was what was called a flair foul''-a ball which hit fair rolled foul before it passed first or third-on this a batter could run. In these days it is a foul proper and the batter is charged with a strike.
 In the days when the justice was magnate, batter was out on a foul tip which was caught, which now is simply a strike. The balls used were about the same as now. The Mann ball as the official ball, but clubs could use any make they wished. There was also another ball, the Ross, which was softer than the Mann and some clubs used it. Masks, big mitts and gloves were not used in those days and as the bare hands came in for all the hot ones, injuries were therefore ire quent.
 once a fan always a fan is tue as an axiom. The justice thinks that when once the fine points in the game are understood, one can get more en- joyment from watching the national pastime, than from any other sport going. The public is becoming edu- cated gradually on the essentials of a good game, and seventy-five per cent of the people pay more attention to what their favorite or home club is do- Ing from day to day, than to any one other news feature presented in the lafI