Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-04-11
BASE BALL
THE LORDS OF
THE CONN LEAGUE
Held a Session Yesterday and Re-
ports Were All Favorable For
a Good Season.

TO clear up odds and ends for the
beginning OF the season in less than
three weeks was held at the Hotel
Garde yesterday afternoon. Not a
single vote was passed and the hour
when the magnates went behind
closed doors for secret confab was
devoted to a general discussion OF
the outlook.
According to the league secretary,
James H. O'Rourke of Bridgeport,
the meeting was called largely be-
cause Manager Dan O'Neil of the
Springfield team got, not cold, but
wet feet. Mr. O'Neii told Secretary
O'Rourke that he feared that the ex-
tensive changes in grounds and play
ing headquarters in Springfield would
make it impossible to open the sea-
son as scheduled in that city and
the league ought to talk the matter
over. There was also he question
about the New Britain grounds,
which are situated just over the town
line In Plainville, being ready for the
opening game.
When the. league directors finally
got together, however, both Man
ayers O'Neil and Humphrey reported
that things had been humming so
much that 1t seems certain now that
the first ball will be pitched on time,
April 2S. ~
The Lush and the Soffel cases
were talked over, but it was reported
that neither will cause the league
any embarrassment Gus Soffel, the
old Norwich shortstop and captain
manager, has been ordered by the
National base ball commission to re-
port to Meriden. Soffel has de-
INJURED, but he was ar the league
meeting yesterday afternoon. Man
ayers Smart and Cheney of the
Meriden team talked with him in
conciliatory mood and, although he
set figure for his services which Is
few feet above high water mark in
Meriden, he said before the meeting
was called to order that lie would
withdraw his statement that he
would not play in Meriden. He
claimed that, as he did not sign
Norwich contract last year, he could
not be reserved by that club and sold
to Meriden. When Smart and Chez
ney reported to the meeting that they
wene sure they could handle Soffel
all right the matter ceased to be
subject Of grave concern to the or
ganization. incidentally, after the
meeting closed the Meriden and
other managers talked with Soffel
and he came to terms with the man
agement of that club. He did not
sign contract, but he agreed to re-
port when the Meridens are called
together next week.
Victor Accorsini, another clever
Norwich player, has been in COM
munication with the Meriden man
agement about assuming the captain
cy of that team in case Soffel failed
to come to time. Accorsinf was in
the lobby during the afternoon and,
as he is entirely friendly with Soffel,
he talked the matter over freely with
that player, assuring him that he
had no intention of taking the posi-
ton If Soffel wanted it. Soffel was
convinced of thoroughly fair treat
ment in Meriden and at the last
weakened.
The Lush case is officially settled,
as far as the Connecticut league is
concerned. Lush must go to Nash
Vile. This is the decision of the
national secretary, J. II. Farrell, to
whom the case was appealed by Sec
Rotary Waidenhamer of the New
Haven club. Lush knows that his
eyes will not permit of his playing
ball and asked Nashville, to whom
he was sold by Cleveland, TO allow
him to sign with New Haven as
bench manager. Such a move Is an
impossibility, Because of its illegal
ity. Lush cannot play with New
Haven while he is under reserve by
Nashville. Secretary Farrell tele-
graphed to Waidenhamer as follows
I'm regard to the case before the
league meeting:
An ineligible player, cannot serve
a club in any capacity. until rein
stated. He may file application for
at any time
The contents of the telegram were
a surprise at 1t was not believed that
Lush was in danger of being de-
clared ineligible because he had not
reported to Nashville. Lush has Just
received railroad transportation for
Nashville and will leave Immediately
to join that nine. He Is In no physi-
cal condition TO play and all that
can do will be to try him
out. find that his eyesight has made
baseball playing impossible. and ship
him home.
Waidenhamer said: 1T is a severe
blow to us TO lose Lush. We have
felt that he would be a first-elass |
rhoice as manager OF the team but
On the receipt Of Farrell's telegram. I
we have given up hope of having /
him run the team"
He said that no manager had vet /
been engaged. II is known that two |
tiue minor leagurers are being con-
sidered for the job. One is little
Nap Shea Of Ware. Mass. Shea I
has been with Newark for several /
Years and is one of the best players |
N the Eastern league. He is tangled 4
~ in a Syracuse deal aud il is not /
Known whether he could be avail 4
able OF not.
The other man has stood well in /
he competition Is Frank Doran. the .
I'd Hartford catcher Naidenhamer /
ind Dr. DaIy. the New Haven mines
swners. will not settle the matter for
! few DAYS. They are row being 4
1rged to appoint William Hayward.
xho has csptained the New Haven 4