The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-03
what is the local baseball situa-

What is the local baseball sltua-
ton?
1t is not intended TO put an unfair
question, nor is it the desire to make
it appear as it those who stand READY
and willing to support the local team
when the season begins next year are
DESTROYS of prying into the secrets OF
7be league There are certain Things
which the fan believes he Is entitled
to know. and among these Things no
does not include the purchase OF
nlayer when publicity might prevent
nor the trading of another player tof
some man against whom others may
have claim.
rho fan is usually the most easily
driven of any specie of animal eStant
lie is willing to follow blindly where
lie is led He is the last thing or per-
son in the world to so putting his
nose in other peoples business. But
with 1T all he is the most intensely
Interested human being, or animal, as
the case may be, in the world. He
Knows that for nearly, If not quite.
four months he Is going out to the
ball park, sometimes with his pride
thrust in his pockets. and watch the
baseball team representing his city
play ball.
Who VIII Manage:
If. as Is the case in Richmond. the
fans team represents the largest city
in the state. and at the same time tho
richest treasury of any ball team in
4he league, he wants to feel that he
is getting as much information regard
Ing his team--and there is consider
able of the personal element in this
reauest-as is the fellow on the other
team.
With all due respect for the privacy
of the megnates' inner council and
without buttinS in on anything which
could be in fairness withheld, is 1t not
perfectly just request to ask on the
first day Of December who will be the
man to manage .rfe local team?
The past season was disastrous,
from the fans standpoint at any rate.
When this assertion is made it does
not mean that the local interests did
not attempt to secure the best possible
man. In all fairness, it should be
stated right here that 1t is the opinion
of the writer that the local manage
1nent did try to get the best obtain
able man. No person is infallible. Mis-
takes are frequently made. Evidently
mistake was made last year. But the
mistake was covered up for SO many
months that the fan was left standing
on the outside.
Public Is Interested.
In all large business enterprises the
opinion; has long held that when one
has a good article and When one Is
anxious to have this article purchased
by the public, the two best ways OF
accomplishing this purpose are to tel
freely and frankly about the article
being good and to keep it good
Baseball is a business proposition
pure and simple There are more peo-
pie purchasing baseball in Richmond
than purchase any other one com.
modify during given periods Day af-
ter day the same people go out tc
Broad Street Park and buy an after
noon Of baseball. Usually for the most
part these purchasers are easily
pleased. If they see a good game OF
baseball they come away satisfied. But
1t is In the off season that the far
requires most OF his sweetening. Els
doesn't want to wait until spring to
know who will pilot the team which
he Is expected TO support, He wants
this information carly.
Richmond n Good hall Town.
Richmond is reported TO be a goot
ball town, and it Is The fact tina,
Baseball is a success here proves this
assertion, Nor should It be taken thai
reminder of the duty of the owner OF
the team owes to the supporters of the
game Is meant in a wrong spirit Some
times advice of this kind Is more valu.