The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-03
(By Hugh Jennings.)

(By Hugh JonIluSS.)
In looking back over the baseball
situation of the past and comparing 1t
with the present, with it's ideal condi-
I tions and the enthusiastic manner in
which all classes have become interest
ed, one is compelled to marvel and
wonder at the rapid strides and phe-'
nomenal progress the game has made
all over the United States and. Cana
da within the last decade
AS was remarked by one of the gen.
tlemen who were present at the recent
banquet given in New York by the
Pittsburg club, the remarkable show
ing made by the two major leagues
during the past four years is convinc-
ing proof that the National game is
still in it's infancy. This remark was
greeted with considerable merrimenr,
but there was more or less truth in the
statement.
The facilities at the majority of the
parks for the accommodation and COM
fort of the press and the public have
been so enlarged as to become inviting,
and every consideration is now shown
the patrons, in order that they may
find pleasure as we'll as comfort in
witnessing a game.
Little Thought Given Comfort.
| 1t has not been so many years ago
! in fact, many of the veterans of today
| will remember when little thought was
given to the comfort of the people by
the majority of club owners. Many
owners felt that the people were under
an obligation to them when they wanted
! to witness the games, and paid small
nience or insult at the hands of the
employees.
This lack of courtesy on the part of
j the owners was in many instances
transmitted to the players, with the re-
suit that many of the latter very rarely
gave a though to the desires of the
very people who made it possible for
the game to reach a solid financial
standing Too much attention was
given to the mercenary side of the
sport. and not enough to the amuse-
ment side.
! The people, in their enthusiasm, for
gave many insults, but they did not
| forget, and when the American League
came into the field the patronage shift
ed to the Junior organization This
opened the eyes of the powers in the
senior league, and they came to real
! ization that a change would be neces-
sary to win back the lost patronage
and prestige.
! Many of the clubs, notably the one
| in Boston. found this was not as easy
as they supposed, and the records show
that many of the owners decided to
retire from the financial part of the
game rather than to be burdened with
a white elephant
| During the years from 1892 to 1899,
when the Boston club was successful
| in winning pennants, and when there
twas a great deal or rivalry between
the Baltimore and Boston teams, the
patrons were compelled to pay exhor-
bitant prices for reserved seats. They
did so, however, under strong protest.
All this has been changed; and let
if be said to the credit of the men
who have their money invested, and
who are doing everything in their
power to keep the game above re-
proach that their first thought is for
the comfort and welfare of the patrons,
and the second thought is to place
the game upon high level and en-
deavor to keep it there. This enables
them to reap the financial harvest to
which they are entitled.
Baseball has been rescued from
chaos, and today it is legitimate and
profitable amusement. Every club in
Iboth major leagues made money last
season: nearly all the minor leagues
showed a balance on the right side OF
the ledger, and, best of all, every minor
iIeague in the country finished out it's
schedule, which was a rare happening
during the years from 1888 to 1898.
Reform Move Beneficial
What has been the result of this re-
form on the part of the owners in favor
of the public?
| 1t has been the means of making