DEVOTED TO BASE BALL, TRAP SHOOTING AND GENERAL SPORTS VOLUME 33, NO. 3. PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 8, 1899. PRICE, FIVE CENTS. IN CONNECTICUT. BRUSH©S BELIEF THE NUTMEG CIRCUIT NOT YET THE COMPLETED, Directors Still Offering Franchises He Intimates That Mr. Soden is in Bristol Sure ol a Place Derby the Combine Along lift Messrs, and Norwich Are Gloomy Echoes Hart and Robison to Break np ttie ol the Recent League Meeting. Present Top-Heayy Big League, Derby, Conn., April 3. Editor "Sporting Indianapolis, Ind., April 3. John T. Life:"--The .clubs that were represented Brush talked freely last night on the base at the meeting in New Haven, Saturday, ball situation. During the interview his April 1, \vere Bridgeport, New Haven, remarks led one to the conclusion that Wuterbury, Meriden and New London. The there was an understanding .between the franchise that, the League granted to members of the Brush-Hart Robison- George Cain for Danbury was revoked. Soden combination by which the magnates While in Derby Jack Rose "struck colors" would help out Uobison and Vonder©iorst and surrendered the franchise, and Secre in maintaining nondescript clubs in Cleve tary James H. O©Kourke vyas then author land and Baltimore until Washington and ized to look over matters in Derby with a Louisville have been driven to the point view to interesting other parties to bring of dropping out of the circuit. Mr. Brush back tho days when base ball was a stay did not say, however, that this was his ing feature. personal purpose. M \N\GER BINDLOSS, WANTS REDUCTION. of New London, will take similar action In Before he left to attend the New York Norwich. Should Derby and Norwich come meeting he expressed himself very strong Into the League Bristol will be admitted ly in favor of a reduction of clubs in the as the eighth club. Should both towns circuit, and attended the meeting with drop out Bristol will come in as the sixth the purpose of effecting such a change if club. Present indications point to the fact possible. In his talk last night he made that Bristol is sure to be in the "push." no secret of the fact that an eight-club Tbc meeting adjourned to Wednesday, league would have been desirable at any Aprii 12, time during the past winter, but that AT BRISTOL. when he went to New York it was not Just as soon as the weather will permit considered possible to dispose of more Manager Giinshannon will fix up the base than two of the clubs. THE ONLY OBSTACLE ball grounds at Bristol. The grounds will It had all been arranged that Cleveland be enlarged |>y nearly half their present and Baltimore were to go, but it was felt size on the south side and the fence will that the League must consist of ten clubs, be thoroughly repaired. The gate will be because Washington and Louisville, realiz changed so that the entrance will be near ing their strength under the ten-year the old position of first base. Bleachers agreement, would put a high price on their will be built near the right field and a. franchises, for the purpose of compelling grand stand will be placed in the northeast either the League or the Brush syndicate corner of the field, so that it will serve to buy the clubs. as a backstop also. The diamond will be Referring to Cleveland©s poor team Mr. laid out diagonally, and the new improve Brush said: "Well, no matter what team ments will make tlie field look more like is in ^Cleveland the crowds could be no n base bail field. It is quite certain now poorer than they were last year, while that Bristol will be represented in the William ,T. McCormiek, who played third base for the Chicago Club last season, was born Dec. 25. 1874, at Cincinnati, where he learned the rudiments of the game. He became promi St. Louis will turn out heavy to see the State Base Ball League. nent while a member of the Deltas, one of the leading amateur teams of that city, and at Clevelaiids in St. Louis." ROGER CONNOR©S AGGREGATION tracted the attention among others of Manager E\ving, of the Reds, on whose recommenda of "wizards of the bat and ball" is as tion he was signed by the New Orleans Club of the Southern League in 1895, and when that follows: Joe Connor and Corcoran, catch organization went under later in the season he joined the Indianapolis Club, which club after HATFIELD©S HAND ers; Roger Connor, first base; Fitzpatrick, ward permitted him to go to Louisville on trial. He rejoined the Indianapolis Club in the spring of 1896 and was traded for Di^by Flynn by Manager Watkins to the Chicago Club, As Seen in the Selection of New second base; Kiernan, third base; Cross, with which he has remained ever since. He ha s played second or third base during his short stop: Newhouse, left field; Hans- professional career. It is not known which position he will fill for the Chicago Club in 1899, Ijondon©s Team. combe. centre field, and one of the pitchers but it is regarded as certain that he will be on the regular team. His batting record in 18!)8 New London, Conn., April 3. Editor "Sport right field. The pitchers already slated are was .248 and his fielding percentage as a third baseman was .900. He was credited with 16 ing Life:" Gil Hatfield is working zealously Mauley, Prentiss. Adams and Reardou. stolen bases and 12 sacrifice hits. at his home in Hoboken endeavoring to si;?" THE NEW LONDON players who will represent New London in the "Whalers©" are now in line with a strong State League the coming season. He has signed "gang" in catcher Losrau, pitchers Hat DETROIT DOTLETS. HIGHER-PRICED BALLS. a few men and has his eyes on others, who, if fleld, Lynch and Van Zant, fii-&t,>,basemau Hiitiield is successful in securing them, will Drew, second baseman McGannV^t~tJi©rd make a strong team. Pitcher Thomas Signed and Irwiu The Spalding: Policy Will Enforce a THE TEAM. baseman Ryan. and Hatfield, short stoj^s The make-up of the team, as it is expected Rawson and Wheelock, fielders Motz, KeoU- Farmed Out. Uniform and Just Price. cedy and Morgan. H. they will report here, is as follows: v Detroit, Mioh., April 1. Editor "Sporting Thanks to the Spalding policy of dealing Catchers, Logan. «fe:" In to-day©s mail President Vanderbeck direct with retailers, which has already been Pitchers, Hatlield, Lynch and Van Zant. BACON©S BERTH. Jelved the signed contract of Thomas Thomas, expatiated upon at length in "Sporting Life," First baseman, Drew. he Ohio coal miner, who two years ago proved ball clubs this season will have to pay more Second baseman, McGann. Sir lionis Will Pilot the Binghamton himself one of the best pitchers in the Western for balls than they did last year. During the Third baseman, Ryan and Hatfield. League. The big chap played indifferent ball base ball term of 1898 the balls used by the Shortstops, YVheelock and Kavvsou. Team. last year, and when he received his contract National League and the ones generally played Fielders. Mot/,, Kennedy and Morgan. Bingbamton. N. Y., April 4. Editor "Sportii this year he fcjjnd a big chunk cut out of bis with by the minor leagues in the East and Motz is a big fellow, who is a fast fielder and Life:" The Binghamton Base Ball Associatj monthly stipend. He let out a roar, but was by the independent team throughout this part bats in the .400 class. for the season of 1899 bids very fair to finally placated by the written agreement that of the country, were listed at $1.25 each, or $15 Conrov bas been sent a contract, but he has become a reality. Manager J. L. Bacon he would be paid stated sums if he won a cer a dozen, retail. But the dealers generally cut not rep©lied to it, so it is quite evident that secured satisfactory financial backing, the tain percentage of games. If he plays winning these prices and sold them for $1 apiece, or he does not wish to play here. scribers having assured about $1000. Thei" ball his salary will reach a handsome figure. $12 a dozen, thereby making but little profit. THERE ARE OTHERS. be a meeting of the subscribers bed If he proves ineffective he will receive only Depending on the money made on other base Hatfield is negotiating with a player named meeting of the State League, in order what his contract calls for. ball paraphernalia, the balls were sold cheap, McGann. who played second base for Louisville organization. The Detroit Club has loaned pitcher Tom Ir more as a card to draw trade than anything when Hatfield was a member of that team, and The diamond will be on the ground win to the Mansfield Club of the Interstate else. Now an edict has gone forth from the is considered Conroy©s equal both in fielding and Binghamton Industrial Exposition, di League. Stallings thinks Irwin will prove manufacturers, Messrs. Spalding & Bros., forbid batting. front of the grand stand. There valuable some day and will keep a string tied ding all dealers from selling balls at less than It is probable that Hickey will not play this "bleachers" and every other feature to him. .25 each. If prices are the retailer will season. He is engaged in business in Bayonue class diamond will be provided.