Feb. 27. THE SPORTING

BASEJ3ALL.CHADWICK'S CHAT.

b of tho

Ka^e Hall in Knglaiul-AVliat the Kn^lUli 1'apers Say ol Jt— The I*olo 'Ground Question Tho Coming New York-Krook- lyn Series A Dip Into tho Past— Bits of Comment.BituoKLYN, Feb. 21. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

Somo inilividual ol" tbo American colony in London has been selling one of tho editors of tbe London I\iU Mall Gazelle badly in regard to the amount of saliricj paid by tho daily paper* in tho principal bn?o ball cities of tbe United States to their base bail reporter?. Here is whut the Pall Mall Gazette says on the sub­ ject. Referring to the interest taken in the game by the daily press, the Gazette says:

"Si) ?nat is llto iu'erefet, imlrvd, that no ntw§paper la oiisi<3eri d ol miy t.se to tiie pnhHc which do-.'S not retain on its .-t.ff it s|tci«I base I all dfpariim-nt, very IHIM I:« sal .ines (which woit'd appear ridiculouil;/ largo toEntilisii rutionp) being |-»ul t> tho ivpor;or6, and ert'at competitiiiu existing tiuioog tlie papers to obtain tlm servic' s of t'te test men. As nuu-h aa £i)0aud £100 a *>-t-k lnv« been p:ii-l, uu J is juvid, to the chicf-t ct the base hall dep trtnient-- bv somo ut the grpat such Balarica. indaed, aa even exceed dittirs-in-chief!"

I want to ask tho journalistic boys of New York what they think of tho above figures? Tive hunJred dollars ft week to a- base ball re­ porter! What? Any one of them would con- tider a fifth of the sum munificent.

The same paper, in commenting upon bnso bnl! as the American Xutronal game, says:

"What constitutes a 'national pnm ?' This question firv isaturalty .irises v/heu au American is heard t» teniHtk lhat 'base bull is tho national game uf tl.e V'nited Stntes ot Aimrica, just ai cricket is of Enplnnd, golf of Scotlund, uiid BO on,' b* cause io England we liavf at least two pimos \\hich rimy he equally fttvled Datik:iml,aQd the Scotch certainly \* -swfs the right to etyle 'g'jli' and 'cuilntg' nati.'iiitl, for they pertuin al­ most exclusively t<i the Scotch all over tho woiKl, or at lea^t \v!:ore trood 'links' and fair ice are obtainable. But the Uni eil Stiles appears to have but one gsme to which clnim can justly be inada for tho lemi 'nti- tional,'»u(] that game ia base biiil. Uere iu Kn^- lantl our boys piny what Ennlif-h jwf.ple cjn- ider H the ancestor of base tall tho game of 'rountlera' and from whnt we know of lhat childish Kama we have in.ist of us lornieJ a not altogether fu- torah'e or dignified opinion of Iho tcientific national gmiie of America. In America ba.=)e hall bas sup^ planted in public favor horse racing aud aquatic and field (-ports of every description. ltd growth has b<eu one of nearly thirty jftirtj, and each ye;tr it has com­ manded an increi^e of public patrcnago tbat bn* flcally placed it far ahead of any out-door pasiimo in the United Stntvs. The truth cf ttiis statfinent, aa also its f'Tre, will ho grasped at once by relereLCu to tbe following fif;im$: Tlie total attendance of the- rublip on ti7 paino^ played during the season of 1S3S at Bo.-ton I'y the t-i^hi clubs constituting the National Ba^e Hull League vaj i.Go,015, or un ave;age of ;l 9oj per gainc. T ha attendance at Kew York and Chicago Mas about the same, the t- .til' at tbe tinee most enthu- joatic base ball citits in America bein^ 800,0'JO/'

1 am very glad to see n paper like the Gazette devoting so much editorial space to base ball, as it shows very plainly that the tour of our ball players to Australia, and the interesting events connected with it has stirred up considerable in­ terest in tho game in England, and this will bo greatly increased when the tourists' party reach London and give an exhibition of the beautica of the gnino before "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales" and an assembage of English nobility.

T DOttce that my first article en base ball in the Dublin Sport published last month, was copied in the London Sportsman and others of the English s-porting papers, so Mrs. Ward told me. She first read it in the Sportsman. It waa In that opening a'ticlo tbat 1 contracted base ball with cricket, not to the di-parit*:emeni of the noble old game, but to show itiat our National game was fully equal to it In fielding attractions.

Kow, that the game'a missionaries havo been round Ine world, and it line met witn the eLdortemeut ol" English sporting gentlemen, it W'H be "llie proper thing to do, you know," for every lashiouible English tourist ia America this simmer to po to (Lo print base ball uintchrs. To this extent t!ie fame will have be­ come "Euglwh, quite Engliib, you know;*' aod our American auglo-Diiiuiacs will take it up, ibouyu their endorsement in practically worthless.

To po or not to eo? lhat i* the question now fizzling tho minds of M tear a. Pay, IHllingham, Gordon and Wutrie, of tbe Metropolitan Exhibition. Company of New York. Tbe Park ConimUfiioners saypo; B> do the property ovuera of the real e^tttte adjoining the Pulo Grounds, but the lager beer B'iloon kecpem of the neighborhood say "no, don't yon do it," atid the politi­ cal deadhead* are emphatic in tlie negative of the ques­ tion. With ihe RwonJ uf D:imcclcs hangiLg over their beads it lias betn a surpriaa to Hie that the New York magnates have not lima since made proparat'orw for tbis attach on tbeir base ball citadtl. From the first It has only bren a qne-tion of time, and ebort at that, when the club would be forced to vacaie, and yet after a year's coticr for the Park Commi-sionera took action In 188S hero they aie as ui>preparod a^ if it was op­ tional for tlitim to retain pogeesaioo to tbe end of tbeir

As lo the flfcM they will occupy this coming season, It sfems to me thut they have but one available place at command, and lhat ii at Si. George, Staten Island. There tl.ey will liavo a fiel 1 and grand stand ready (or Use at a week's notice, and aa for tbe Maud, it m AS su­ perior to that Dt tbe Polo Grounds P.S tbe Academy id to a dime museum. Then, loo, In regard to access to the ground*, down-town people, as »)«> patrons from Brooklyn, can reach the St. George field quicker than they can get to the Polo Ground* and by t«ice;is pleaa- »nt a trip. In fact, St. Georgo is tlie only p'ace they can qo to with any hope of retaining their Polo Ground patronage this year, and there 1 have Lut little doubt Ibe New Yorh team will play the coming Atril.

Tie Hroo';!yn Club have wisely taken time by tbe forelock in this Jmr.ortnnt matter of securing a perma­ nent abiding place for their club, and thouuh thay have four morn years of their lease of Washington Park yet to run, they b»ve already secured u new Io-

H'ill be located near the termini of tho Kings County »Ld Bruf.klvn elev.itod ro-td-f, In the new ward of iho city a r. Krtt-t New York, w Inch, by tho way, too, will be only half an hoar's journey from the Thirty-fourth street feiry, at New York, and the saint frum Fulton Feiry. TUi^ reniovj] of the club will preatly benefit the elevated road.^, en.l be a corresponding ices to the South Brooklyn Lorau car computiics.

An the time draws near fi;r tho playing1 of the seiiei of fibibition games between tho New Yolk and Brooklyn club teams the ioterest taken in the cuiiiiue routfsts increase-, and the team players of the two clubs largely participate io it, for both teama are eager for tin- fray. It may be set down 11* a pretty euro thing ihiit the two teann wilt be mads up as follows for the first Ramc, aid Mfs?rs.McGunniglearj,I Ulntrie Wilt toss up beforehand for the choice ot tbe fiel I tho firs! grim^ will he played on, and it may bo safely paid that will Tje cither at WashiDgt'JU Park or tho St. Gyr^e Park, at Staten Hand:

Rrookt-jii. Pvfili'itis, Nrw York. Carutlu-r>.................Pitcbcr ....................Keefe.Busboug..................Catcher........... ........K'u'iug.Foutz .............. ......First basenian.........Connor.Collins ......... ..........Second bieeman.......,Iiirhardson.Pinckney ................ Third t>Meir.an..........Whit any.Cmith ......................Sl.ort etop............«...Wue.0 Brim... ...............Left fielder..............,0'Bourke.Corkhill..................CeLtre fiflder...........Slatttry.Hums.......................Right fielder ............Tiernao.

In [he la»t game the two cluta played together in October 18tC Kcvfe (itched, and Ewiuc and Ward »ere in (lie team, and yet Brooklyn won by 4 to 0. Ward will not bo in the team iliin time, while the Dio'klyn nine t.ir April nt-xt may be stt down as just tiiMib'e the itrcncth ot the vktoriuus nine of 18SG. Vhiit the outcome will tc no one can Buy, of course, but the Brooklyn players li^ve already begun training 1)T the event. Carnthprs is at the Hot Spriujn, where Bu^ns hag been, nu-i IJuBlioojt anl Terry have got themselves in firet-clnss trim by bicycle riding this opt-n winter. CV.rkHll, too, is gettiag hinrnl/ in con- diii >n ii'i PhilMle'iphia, and O'Brien iu PeorU. In fact all r.f the Uro'iklyn players will be in tip tr.]t con- di;ion by the first urek hi April. All are sanguine of nrnkinti « strong fight for the feri'-s, as victory will be bi^ thing for Iho ttam, while dofiatwill Lot hurt them at all comparatively.

Here are a few interesting 1882 items which I |>i<'k"d cut frtjtn tonio oM newspaper cJippinge, 1 fii:ml ttrnong my Kcr»p collections tlio other da>:

* Tim uncertainty of the game naa etrikin^ly Hlna- tra:-d ou \\\f- orcitsi »n of tho victory of the Worcester nine over tiie Deiroira out Wt-at, In September, when the Detro't nino made tlie niott hi IB, tbe fewest errors, hud moie men reach a b«a", and ran more ba*<M than the Wuicebters, and s:ill were beaten 8 to o."

1 wnnd'T how iho Worcester nnd Detroit teams of 18&'' would come out in a game tcgelhcr, ibo one rep Ks-ntin^ tiie new Atlan-jc League a strong organi- cntitin,! y the way, and Ihe other tbe Jnleiuationafr

"When (he Troy ttam were at Dfltroir, efforts were nuiit.- to gecurii tho services of Ewinj aud Xeefo to b*-( oiro a Deircit battery for 18S3, and one of the m- g'im. lit.s n'e-1 was thit tbe Troys would not be iu tho L?'-L-IIP '» 1 *? .,''

No'v 7 ; i-k «i«pi,oJ iu aud got the n.)W famous bat- ter.v. !ii:ich to DbtroH's diaciifl in 18S3.

"iu If S3 HioUi-trotol.tftn and rhilailvlpliia leann in ui'>i'ts of the Lefiguo Alliance of that year played s -erl-js t-f fptnie-4 f,, r t; !e championship of tue Alliance, wi.icii Ibe Sletr'polituna won by thirteen victoria* U iix, one game being drawn. Tho lattcv W«B a nitdel

content play«d at Philadelphia, on June 21, aud ft re­ sulted in a score of 2 to 1, after a fifteen-inning con­ test. Lynch and O'Neil wero tho pltcbera of the Met­ ropolitans."

Think of the old Mtts taking Al Beach s t*arn into camp,

"The first bcsrimn of the St. Louis team, Charley Comit-key, whilo the club was playing- tbe Ba!- tiui<re>i at St. Louis, wan given a little surprise party by the presentation of a gold watch and chain as a memento of bis faithful service, ho having played in every gnme of bis club for tite teaaou, and always for tho side."

That was in Iho fall of 1882, when Charles was lay­ ing the foundation of hia future succe s by "(daying for ihe side' 1 or dandy team work instead of Btriv- iilg fur a rccoid in average.

Hero is what I bad to say about tbe slugging style of hitting iu Its*:

"A drawback to a professions! player's progress In loaiuiug to handle his bat scientifically ia tbe iuilid- crinmiate piaise bhowei-ed on 'sluggers' at tho bdt, a class of hitters who j:o in on their mnscle only, and whn.'c only idea of battiug is to hit haid and scud the bull wherever it may chauce to go. In moat of the re- potts seen in our conn try exchanges little is to be read in rfgmd to a contest except that the 'fJiowna Lunched their liito,'trthnt 'tlio hoavy batting ot Iho Whites did the L HE-i ness,' or that 'tbe poor batting of the lleda l,*t tlieni tbe game,' e"tc.; this, together with the in­ formation that 'Joues' three-bapger,' or 'Brown's In.uu run,* or 'JiutiLeon's corker for lliree hags,' were tlie noteworthy features, generally furms tho body of the accounts \viitten by the conn try base ball reporters. Little or nothing is s.iid about tbe fino pitching and exct-r.pnt field support which is the cause of the poor Isattinx, and u<;( n word about the ba-l pitobing and peer (ielJiut' which load t-) the'tremendous batting.'"

All this.applies to thia very day.

Itil. l.ut enough ot Ibis. \Mien one fefs iuti reminiscent moid a fellow never knows wheu to stop.

The facts in connection with Crane's alleged throw in St. Louis in 1SS4, iu which it was reported that be had surpassed llatfield's ''bofct on record ' iu throwing, haveju?t come to light, ami they are as follows: Tho throw credited to Crane \vis made on (K-t. 10, 1881,'at St. Louis, and the authority on the record was tlio judge who acted on the ocoasion, and tbat individual was Mr. A. H. Spiuk, ot' St. Louis. It appears tbat CraLe threw on a wnger made between President Lu- Ciis, ol tho St. Louis Union*, and U. A. Brown, a local eutlju-i«st. Brown let Lucas $50 that Crane could not beat HatfieM's throw, and Lucas tola Crane that ho woulJ give him the $50 if ho won it. Crnne made five Attempts, each time throwing the ball from a i»oint near the bulletin board in Union Park to a point near thu home plate. Wh&n he had fini-hed hts longest throw waa measured by Ctptaiu Bill Richards, then tho superintendent of Union Park, and iu the presence of witnesses, and tho meas­ urement proved that Crane, iu i;o c na of his trials, had beaten Ilatfield's record. Tim being the only question «t isace, iho ttH.Uehoider handed over tbo stakes to Brown, Crano getting nothing whatever for his piins. His he^t throw then was liHydd. 5in., and the record WHS n good one for the re.tt-ou that Crane threw across the wind which waa blowing briskly at the time. This should settle onco and for a!l the record made in St. I otiis by Crane iu BO far UB bis beating HatneUI'a great throw Is concerned. Moreover, it shows conclusively thut the throwing in Cincinnati In 188-1 wa* *ot U'Kitimntfly mewBured. Tho fact, too, that Crane ubile throwing in Australia made no effort to beat Hatfield'a record in throwing a baee hall, adds t j the «viij«[ice a^aicst his previous claims.

HESBY CHADWICK.

PITTSBURG PENCILLINGS.An Old-Time Pittsbnrg "Champion" Team

—An Umpire's Good Adyice—Local andGeneral News Notes.PITTRBURG, Feb. 21. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

If Pittsburg has a pennant wincing team this season, it will not be the firct time. Fact, but Denny McKuight had a pennant winning team in 1383. The only thing wrong is that the team didn't carry out tbe work laid out for it, and what is stranger, there wasn't much surprise manifested.

A group picture of the famous gang met my gaze to-day, and there flashed before me for the moment many reminiscences of tho eld brewery gang. 'T\va3 a grynd combination of stber. indus­ trious, good and true American ball playera that id if you Bra wilting obituariec.

Just thiuk of Only Nolan, "William Tnylor, Lewis Dickeraon, B. Franklin McLau^hlin, Diiocoll, M. Johnfwn, Mangel I for a starter, au<i then for a wind-up E'l Swartwood, John Peters, Il^rry Overbecb, Gc-orco Cieanier and Juseph Battin. What a wondertul aggre­ gation. As Lew Dickeraon once said: "My, but tbat gang cotikl bit when they wero totei, and tbero was just one day when they were sober."

Denny Ia a hotel clerk in Silver City, New Mexico, now, and it ian't right to eaj tbe gacg drove hi in to desperation.

Tho old St. Clftir Hotel was the gang's roost in those days and many a ecrape happetcd here. About 9 A.M. one day Benny found Dickeraon seated OQ a chair un the balcuny completely paralyzed. Dc-cny lif-e^.l liim UD by the enrs (Denny was .in athlete then) and dropped him down hard. Dick slept en. Three bc^ra aft<T Dick was as wise r\9 an owl.

''I bliall be compelled to fine yon for being drunk this morning," eaid Denny wrjeu they met.

"What! fine me! 1 haven't bad a driok for weeks.""Well, I eaw you drunk three hours ago,*'retorted

Denny.' Denny, for God's sake don't talk BO lond. 1 am

afraid aomebcdy will here you and really believe 1 was on a tear," replied Dick-quietly.

Did Denny'a team win tbe pennant? Tbe legend is in donbt.

AN UMPIRE'S GOOD ADVICE.Coming borne from the County League- meeting (be

other evening 1 met Tom Zachariah, or Homestead, who is well known as on umpire in local base bait circles. Zachariah hns been ni:xict:s to gei into ;i good league, but wants to start in at tho luweat r'-cg. lie is an intima'e friend cf Umpire Mapledoram, tied rea­ sons that his friend's advice in umpiri&g is cf 'to beet. Zachariuh showed me a letter from hia friend, wiio ia now fcuporintendiog the consttucifon of a (treei rail­ way in John-town. olapled,ram certainly speaks to the point when he fa}s:

"Fiiend Tom, ulwajs read THE SroriTisc LITE thor­ oughly. You will find many iMrkaiu disi.tue.-i dis- cus-scd in it, aLd you can't help being tbe gaiuer by your step.'*

Zachariah Bttya lie has letters from Jctn Toner, Gnm- bert, and many other local p.aytr^. Tencr tajs he waa the only man who could give him eatisfactiou on balls aud etr.kea.

LINE HITS.Tl:e Hamilton management bas written Manager

Swart wood asking Urn about tbo enpagenjer,! of Evldio Sales, saying it was urnjeraloo1! t!mt ho was worthless on account cf bid habits. Ed replied saying that Sales was a very io!iable man and he )m-J feigned him, feeling certain from a description of bis wata furnished by a close friend that be cuild induce Sa'ea to refriin. Hamilton is ccntplcto except as to OLO catcher, but ho will not be signed for tbe present.

Manager Phillips regaled the ?ang with several new gags on Tuesday. It is a pity but in the interest of humanity, it must be said that he was to tea B raticla Wilson in "Xaijy 1 ' tho night before.

Hentiio Yourjcman, tho quick iufle'der wiih tbe Danville Interstate League club last season, is ?till dii- eiigagcd. IIti*H is a tattling good man for ec-ms luir Leagno club. Youngman etood second iu short stops iu hia League and \vaa ninth in batting. A* a IWKB- runner, be in first-class, the boys claiming tuut he can beut lls. Yor.ncm-in is working in the glass lactory at Ilamstead. Ho bus smiled BICEO or two 86'J-a- inonth oOerH.

There is a stranger in town who benra a striking re3( iiiblarice to Pop Smith, and several times 1 liavu been coroptlled lo take a second lock. Same old wine look,iLustac!ie a la NuDtileon.Liil w (thai a lit lie thinner. Perhaps writing epics has brought Pop down in llt&h also.

Billy Kuehne doesn't liko it because his team was ruled out of the Counly League, but tho action will save him money, because, be couldn't afford to run on independent club. B.lly has invited me lo visit him. He will piy the bridge toll.

Billy Sunday's appearance aa an evangelist did net surprise anybody litre. Ever since Billy mads an oddrees at a revival meeting in the siring, many people realized thnt the stories about bis Christianity were trim. Many a plaver who has sworn iu the little fellow's presence will remember the look and gentle reminder cf "Whv 1 didn't thiuk you would eay such a thing!'' N;d Hanlon one- day felt BO abashed tbat ho WAS sad for the rest of tbe day.

Tho Uuflalo Fairy, siatiflmed by tha vulgar tbe "St. Louis Kid,*' Is iu town jr.ut to see tho bc.vn. "Gavie looks well," is what Billy Ktiehne tells me. By this l:o mean* tbat Jet-ins* slender 2x4 face cannot lo eeeu in an elliptical mirror. Jeems must Urn it length- wife. Jimmv is stopping in Allegheny.

There are no developments io White and JUwe's case. Manager Phillips whistled down tho tule thia afternoon (bat he waa busy writitg letteis, Peiliapa eomeihing is up.

Charley Mitchell, the old ball piayer, vho 10 credited with being tie n>au to Irtt.g Georgo Milter out, wns yesterday acquitted on a charge cf beiu<: implicated m a roi-bt-ry au-1 murdercus ass:n;lt at WiHiamfiburp.

Miller vtod sent hid mouthiy allowance day before yi»terdaj. ' CIRCLE.

WHEELT.VO has signed a pitcher named Schmit!t, now of Sf. Louis. He pays hia expenses to Wheeling acd his board until the associattun can give him a fair trial, sn<J it they do not approve of him be is to le released without a cent. Tblayounfc man shows a most commendable spirit, and it Is to Le Loytd

U results will gratify bid self-confident*.

CINCINNATI CHIPS.Klnier Cleveland Still Unsigned — Buck

Ewing's Views—Stem Replies to a Cleve­ land Accusntiou—The Cincinnati Amateur League, Etc. CINCINNATI, Feb. 20. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

And it came to pass that there wfts silence in the City of Smoked Italians, and while, as in the days gone by, there .ire regular mails between Cincinnati and Pittgburg, tho letter that Elmer Smith was expected to drop in th« slot addressed to Col. A. S. Stern and stuffed full of contract, and the signature of "He of the Left Hand," has not, in the words of the poet, ''arrove." Perhaps Elmer forgot to put on a stamp or failed to put "Obio" on the envelope. Either omission will entitle a missive to a through trip over the red tajie route of Uncle Sam's P. 0. Department. Perhaps the screws were too sharp the temperance screws that were meant to effect an absolute divorce of pitcher ana fishing clubs whose tackle and bait aro generally car- tied in growlers. Perhaps the ealaiy of a year ago, minus the ''hilf taw bucks' 1 that were bestowed when a gatue was won, did not set-in tempting enough, aud "Our Elmer" has jumped ou the "elevated" agnin and borrowed a teleecope so tbat he can see Col, Stern in his aet of easing August snow balls, a panorama eoaie- body or other promised before ''Sanity" accep:ed Cin­ cinnati's figures. Oh, well, a few weeks more or less dues not signify, aud if horrible thought! EItnsr concludes that $o50 or eo a rncmtli ia "rotten bad money' 1 for a first-class pitcher like him, why then Cincinnati will have to bear up under the affliction, Some pht-noiiH may be unearthed in tiie amateur league by that time. Theio Id no isso goin? over the crt-ek to n:eet trouble half way. Elmer will be here before ttie scunner U over, even if he has to walk from PitlBburjf.

"THEY ALL DO IT,"ai "White Winps'' Tfbcau once said to me, not refer­ ring tu Elmer, iricd yen, tut just in a generalizing way.

"Did yon ever see a ball player yet who made his b'ulf good iiL'l refused to play bull when the tiino cauieV 1 don't blame a ball player for trying to make all he c.*n, tut some of them ma'.te me sick by the way they lalls. about *rtthiug' and 'not playing' uule:S they get what, they ask."

And George id nearly right. Jim BIcCormick wears the belt alone now, and his health was one of tbe ron- iii'iouB that preveuled bis reiurn to PitUburg. Ball 1 layers, aa a rule, ask seveial hundred dollars more than they really expect, hoping to strike "a happy medium." Sometimej they g^t left just as "Rel" BHtinau did. lie asked DufUIo $300 more than be wanted, tut Jack Itowo ignored him entirely in fact, treated him lat'jer sbal»biiy. Still, tlie custom of shaving down on cue baud and inflating on tbe other is fo universally common thut every player expeats a "lop-off' when he names "his prk-o." Poor Uittman argued that if be told Buffalo bo expected §1,200 he'd get a razor down to £1,000, eo be boomed hia rates to 51,500 and waa cut off as an oruament too expensive for the Bisons. Milwaukee has written for hia terms.

''Over the Rhine'' tbe otber afternoonI HAS ACROSS THE E WINGS,

"Buck" and "Long John." Both of them aro looking remarkably well, Hcd while they are too far in tbe East End to come to tho "gym" every day to practice, they are getting into trim. "Buck," whilo the eldest of three brother?, 1* tbe smallest in etaturo. John says their younger brother is a powerful hitter, but he has a wart or some sort ct growth in his hand which in- torfeieg with him in catching a ball, entailing much paiu alter it bas been bit a few times. That alone keeps him out of the professional fold.

"Don't you tliiuk tbe New Yorks were foolish in being cajoled into a spring wiies with Brooklyn?" I atked him.

"I think they have everything to l-'se, certainly, and nnd I imagine they expect to lo-e. Whv they will not want AYeich and Ktefe to do tbeir best work in those g;trne8. and I do nut expect to do much catching. De­ feat ai Brooklyn'* hands will n^t be much of a sur­ prise, for while Ni-w York will work to save ita best men the Brooklyns will strain every nerve to win."

Breaking of tho interchange of games between League and Association teams, Buct eaid: "There cugiit to be money in a perii'8 between all tbe League and Association clubs, ami if the season waa shortened ibis would te done. 1 don't think, however, the Asso­ ciation will live ov«r one more yea*1 ."

Duck's fears 1 judge groucdless, but be continued: ''Cincinnati and Brooklyn nre liable to take the plnc-e rf Indianapolis nnd Washington, What a cracking circuit that would be?''

"Do yuu think Ihe Reds would prove a greater card in the League than In lianapclia?" I queried.

*'&!» <?/" waa his emphatic reepjnae.Buck will not go tnj-t until tbe middle of March,

while Locg John experts to report in Louisville on tin- 20th.

Last night President Stern departed for St. Lonta, in'enJing to be pone until tho beginning of the exhi­ bition season. On i* cf tbe first things he will do when he Uods in Von der Ahevi1K>, after jroin? out lo Belle- foLtaiue and eeelDa (.bria1 new monument, will bd to send for Cltm-nce K. Baldwin. He wants to feel tbo "Kid's" muscle. The accu aLion of Fiack, Brunell that manager Gua II. Scumolz

MEDDLED WITH M'KEAtffinds few believers here, and Mr. Stein scouts the idea. Ho tnys: "When it coiuei to a matter of salary or the signing of a man, Mr. Scbmoiz always consults me, and I do not believe that he ever approached McKeuu . Cincinnati's offer for that player «ai above board, and WRS made \vh"n Cleveland was thinking of giving up alfogithor. I met Mr. Howe nt the Brunswick, and offered him S5,OCO CRgh fur McKean's rclenw. Thit waa the eecoud largest Bum wo had evor named for any player, and Mr. Howe's ej ea got aa big as anucers. He was i» favor of accepting tbe figure and getting out of bnso brill, when the Dttroit deal euchred my liana for tbat player. Tbe higge t amount tbe Cin­ cinnati Club ever propoetd giving for a player's re- Itasa wa* S8.500. I wanted to purchase 'Bob' Caruthera from St. Louia. One morning I s^nl down word to Mr. Hniick to lei me have flO.'KiO. lie came up to the office frcm tbe German National Bank at onc«, aud tliy proposition which at first took his breath awuy, he finally iodoreed tut you know "Bob* slipped to Brooklyn Tbe third largest bid we ever made was the one ct $l,.r,00 for Tern Ramsey's release to Louis­ ville. And a!l of these mieaed fire. Kveryone of tbe Ciccionati Club'd traneactioLS with Cl, veland, have bcea'ci.en aLd above hoard. MeKean may Imvo told lb.it ii t< i ry lo 'work' CleTeland, but I can't believe it. Cleveland knows that we want Bob Gill;?. He ia the aan whose releapo I am utter, aLd I bave asked tbein to put a price on it."

ABOUT EARLE ANT) HOLLTDAY.''I am not expecting '\voiM beaters' in young Earle

nnd Hullidny," continuea Mr. Stern, "and Cincinnati people ought not to hope for too ninch in these y<iuug player**. 1 lock for no Corkbill in llolliday, f,r tbere are few fielders superior tu 'Old Pop, ! bnt tbis I (Io Bay: I ex| eel Hcllidwy to be worth more to the Cincin­ nati Club than Corkbill was. 1 expect liici to put IIH whole Le.irt and scul in hia work and to do his best fiT the success cf tl.e team. 1 don't want tbe public to look for too rnr.ch and be disappointed.'

An! Mr. Stern'8 head is level. I want to qnote from tho New Yrrk He/alii* cable *pecfhl to-d.iy from Naples just a line and it relittea to the otber player of whom it is fcated "our foikb" will expect too much. Listen:

"Put thid down ae a f*ct in Earle Cincinnati baa a Jewel. Porkopotitans will go crazy over him."

That i-n't bud. We will wait.By (be way, Cincinnati seems to have been

GIVEN THE RAZZLE DAZZLHin the American tour of tbo Anstralian pilgrim*. Tne oof date offered was taken here by some other club, and tbatseitled it. The CMcafroa and All-Americas will pass ua by for Cleveland. It 13 to bo hoped that tbe viograiLino (an te a me tided to include the Queen City cf the West. Vatie's rjnine would be worth a good deal and tbe newly fledged Red would receive a tt ynl welcome. Successful indeed bai been the organ­ ization cf tbo

CINCINNATI AMATEUR LEAGUEacd the dozen cluba choaen include the Indians, who went 11)rough hvt season without a defeat, the Hor­ nets, Ilickorjs, Lincolns, Qnet-n City.", Blue Licks, Cbesler", Cincinnati Grays, all of (Im city; tbe Hill- sid^.s, cl Newport (ll,e champions.of Cnnipbel] county, K\.}, the Favorites, of (/ovingtou; iho Harriaous, ti IJanUon, and Clippers, of \Vuluut llil's. The conati- tuticniaa gooii cne. It may be that games will bo scheduled tit ba j.ltyed on ether than the Cincinnati grounds, but in every case the Cincinnati Club re­ serves the right to appoint tho umpire. The plaj ers of tbe Iteda iK-t taken en trips "ill bnvo many chances to thus pick up an extra five dollar nole. The schedule will not le made up for some time. Tbii will cot te tbe only amateur league, for tbe Cincinnati and Sub­ urban and tbe Bar,d!e leagues are both under way. The latter organ iics permanently at Ibe tihei man Club looma next llouduy evening.

PICK-UPS.Georpe Miller, of tho fanmns old battery of Mitchell

and Miller, id thinking cf going out as an umpire,Snsitb, late of the Delawaio Univerpity team, a man

as big as Long John Reilly, will pitch aud plav first for the Linnwrod Club. The Liunwooda will ttick to the Miami Valley Leagne if it cotitiunei*.

Will Ullcry has a clever cchcme which conld bo carried out with little expense. Ho i-t talking up an Ohio Uiver League, with teams at Ironton, I'ortB- niout!), Gftlliopolis, AVaysido, Hiintingtoa on 1 D;ijton all on the Hue of the now river branch < f the Chesa­ peake and Ohio Railroad, jutt opened to travel. With low salaries, it would be a go putting tho professional game into a new field where amateur ball baa alwaja bien a cra/e,

AI Jenniugs hns received a letter from C. D. White, of tbe Iuterimth>nnl AsBccintioD, Al ia in good ehape to uoipiro now, and can spin oif tbe new riiltja back­ ward.

\ViIl llftrl forwarded bisccntrnct lo Des Molnea yes­ terday. Tbo uniform hitch was epeediiy cleared.

Archie Blair, of Ihu uIJ Havens, ia doing wtll In Ciattanorga.

Waco, Tex., has written Frank Gillespie, Mio mute pitcher, for term?. Ue entered the "Gvm" yebtor- day.

"Nick" Ivory ia going to Texas next year.\Vill Dalo IIH.H a "flame" in Maur-Meid, BO Ihe Cov-

ington bo)H say, thnt will draw him there once more.Pi evident Steru'b advico to Columbus, "boiled down,"

Is: "Don't put O'Connor L>o:iind the bat. Al'tt-r an Inninz or two his bauds resemble large livers."

"0. P." has flown buck to "Cartridge," Mo. lie wa3 diued by Mr. Sttru Saturday night,

Tbo Cin iunati Club lias agreed to a change of tho Association meeting at Columbia from the llth lo tbo 5lb, in response to Mr. Dyine'a request. Secretary Barry SUrnc will represent the club there, and if the change is made that will knock use out of a trip tu the

ngress, Boih bydica will meet oa the MOM

day. The Cincinnati newspaper boy* expect to swoop down on the Buckeye Capital In a bo4yt %ut 0. P. need gave no fear. Harry Weldon, Ban Johnson and "Littlo Ken" will keep off the ice, and don't you forget ft.

Long John Keilly can now die happy. A c?g»rhas been named for him.

tfrj. Ed Dundon and her sleter-in-law are etill en­ joying life bore with friend*.

IIugh Nicol has become a property owner In Kansas City. He will be home on the 5th of March.

Saturday it waa warm enough to play ball. Thi* morning tbe mercury was chasing down into tbe bulb six degrees above zero. Buch IB winter In Ohio.

REN MVXTORD, Ja.

COLUMBUS' CHATTER.Ed Daily Securely Anchored in the Tiuck-

eye Fold The latest Phases of the Johnson Case—The Association Spring Meeting, Etc.COLUHBUS, 0., Feb. 20. Editor SPORTING

LIFE: This week's issue of THE SPORTING LIFE contains an addendum to a telegram from Colum­ bus announcing the signing of Ed N. Daily to play left field for this team, the query as to the probability of a snarl, if the substance of the message was true, baaing your opinion on your Washington correspondent's last letter. Well, Mr. Editor, tho telegram is absolutely true. Daily and Widner, whose releases have been held by President Hewitt conditionally, are ours. The conditions were that if both these men could be induced to sign contracts with Columbus they were to be released. This bas been done and tbeir contracts arenow here on file. Mr. Ilcwitt, upon receiving such notice has forwarded their releases, nnd only yesterday they arrived anil a check for tho sum it greed upon was forwarded to Mr. Ilewilt and is undoubtedly now in hispc ssesfion. This certainly will settle all doubt in tho matter, the Wash­ ington correspondent to the contrary notwithstanding.

HALPH JOHNSON'S CASE.Thara still seems to be enough dontt surrounding

Ralph Johnson's case as to cause imaginative writers to spring such paragraphs UIHJH an outraged uud iiu- stuiectiug j.ublic tis this: "Columbus ia alter Elmer Cleveland to play third b.ise. Tbla looks aa if Col­ umbua waa weakening in tbe Job neon matter/' There ia no foundation for any such statement. Columbua is not weakening in the Johnson matter, She has, as ebe believes, a firm and legal hold ou him, and pro­ poses to keep it until the Board ot Arbitration decided otherwise, lu the language of fecrttary Fred, New- burgh, ot the Columbua Club: "Johnson ii ours if riitht und justice prevails. We have violated no law of propriety, but havo pursued this case in a fair aud juat manner. We leliove we are right, and will con­ tinue to so think until it is proven to our satisfaction otherwise. The directors havo not even thought of looking for a third baseman other than Johnson, so firmly do they feel that he will be a Buckeye. If it is decided that he ian't, why that eeltles it; and if he i§, why of course that settles it. If we bave to look further for a third bat email wo will do so-with llie name determination to get the beet tbat bus charac­ terized our movements ever eiuce Columbus has been a member of the Association. But one thing is posi­ tive at thia time, we Jiavo never thought of looking for a third baseman, and know nothing about Mr. Cleve­ land. Johnson will be a member of tbe Columbus team just so sure as the enn rises and eels each twenty- four hours." This, it seems to me, should stop all further controversy about Johnson and the third bftfo for Columbus, at Uatt until Ibo Arbitration Board meets.

CHANGE OP ASSOCIATION MEETING.There ia a movement on foot among tho Association

peopli here, principally with President Wikofl, Met­ ayer Schrnclz and Jimmy Williume, to have tbe date ol the schedulu meeting changed inm March 12, to Marcli 5. They assifm no reason other than that in­ asmuch as the League will meet in Washington, March 5, it will give the publishers of tbe League book one week's giart in putting it upon the market, which Mr. Williams thinks is unnecessary. Others believe, however, tbat tSere are persons who will want lo attend both meetings, and It will be decidedly iuc.-nveuient to be in Washington and Columbus nt one and the same time. It is net known at this writ­ ing whether the cluing* will be made.

AFTER KING AND MILLIGAJf.The Columbus directors, after the first flush of suc­

cessive victories in securing excellent matetiat fur their club, bave quietly gono over the ground looking for weak placet*, with the sole object of remedying them it possible that is if any wero found. They feel as if there might ho a strengthening cf their batteries, and are tberefoie desirous of building up in that quarter. It was for this reason they s'gued catcher [High a lew days ago. Ho is one of the fonr released by Cincin­ nati to Columbus, and there are strong he-pea of mak­ ing him effective, even though repjits tu tbe contrary have been circulated

They tried hard to buy King and MUligan from St. Louis, but Yon der Abe placed a mighty obstruction in the way by placing bis figures eo high that it was necessary to take a balloon to read them. £his if thu saiue Voitder A-bfl wbo profe^ed to be so solicitous about Columbus securing a firfrt-c'a*a dab and pretended to offer his assistance to that ecd. He steadtastly re­ fused to let go of White aud Herr. both of whom Columbus wanted, until he had soured the country look in? for material tu replace tbcm. He fully ex­ pected Co'umbus to sit quietly nnd idly by aud await tbe movements of his heaviness, aud then eitlicr t;iko iho men at his own figures or do without. Well, be found uien superior t» his calibrs here, and they didn'l wait on his nibs tut went ahead absolutely oblivieus ol hid existei.c?. Then they offered him a fine sum for King and Blilli^an. Von der Abe also bad a figure, of the balloon character, and thus again tiid Yen der Abe show hts intense desire (?) to assist the baby club. Ob, he's all light!TRI-STATK LEAGUK CLUB FIELDING AND BATTING

AVERAGKS.In reply to a correspondent to-ilay requesting that I

publish the club fielding and butting averages of the Tri-Slate League, I succeeded, ufter some Jitilc tffoit, in securing the garni*, which I give here, believing it will be of great interest to tho friends and members t-f that League, aa well as for other base ball informttion,

Club FtehJiiift Itt'conl.Games. PO. A. E. Chan'*. Ave.

Lima....................... 114 2913 18'J7 3(4 5114 .OilC«ntoD................... 110 2831 1780 295 4712 .010ZanesYille................ 100 2516 1780 311 4fil3 .'J33Kalamazoo.............. 90 2^33 1500 307 4100 .l»2fiOolnmbua............... 107 2711 17l>2 397 4900 .925Wheeling............... 110 2870 1941 417 b%t& .9-JlToledo.................... 113 2903 I9C9 470 6342 .912Mansfield............... 105 2726 1739 444 4C)f:9 .910Jackson.................. 113 2656 1779 513 6'Jo3 .893fciidusky................ 01 2223 1113 460 3790 .879

C7«& Butting Kecord.Games. All. II. IJH. SB. Ave.

Kalamazoo............... 90 3199 560 848 276 .205Lima....................... 114 4175 661 1097 434 .263Wheeling................. 110 3984 712 986 3 ?>9 .247XaueeviHo................ 100 3491 679 847 352 .213Columbus................. 107 3790 696 885 SSTj .23:*Ti>hd<>. ................... 113 3005 545 903 SCO .2:11Canloa..................... 110 3717 511 855 359 .230Pandusfey................. 91 S(«2 457 665 270 .215Jackscu................... 113 3795 5'29 814 325 .211Mactileli................. 105 3547 303 743 238 .

O'COXXOR SAID TO BE SORE.John O'Connor, of the Columbus team, is paid to bo

very i ore. because, as ho cla-ms, certain newspapers are "roosting him. I do nyt think be has been roasted, unless a call-down is a roust, then, probably, bis charge may have some foundation in fact, but a St. Louis paper came out boldly aud charged him with lucking pretty freely. Tibis charge was never denied to iny knowledge, bur, to llie contrary, I notice in an int<r- vitjw he had with a spoiling writtr in tir. Louis a few days a.ao, that be said in substance that he had drank nothing lor threo weeks, and at no tirua ha'l ho been "drinking heavily." Tims it will be seen that O'Con- nor dotsu't deny that ho has been drinking. I do not IEUOW what ho or the Columbus directors regard as "drinking heavily," but I do know tbii»j that he can queer himself no quicker with the Colnmbus directors aud press than by drinking at all. Ho should know tbat it will do him no good physically to fill his hide with liquor, and that the people here, who have paid liberally to have a first-class club Ju Ibe field next season, won't stand any funny biifi- ness. The best and nothing but Iho best will go here if it can be had, and if O'Connor desires lo take ad- vflbtflg'j of hia oppoitunily tj rank with the leaders, he must kfcs bis friend "Lush' 1 a long gooj-bye, for from past experience we know a lu-lier when wo see one, without tbe aid of elottric licbts. O'Connor is aleo building a path tf thorns for himnclf by de­ claring that he will no) catch, and that the Co 1 tint bus people arranged with him to play iu tbe outfield. This the directors deny. They say they made no such ar­ rangement* au-1 that he was signet! to catch and further, thnt if he plays with Columbus, he will have to play wherever they say. Now, John can obviate all this by changing his tack. Ho can come hero and make friends instead of enemies. No one it down on him, nor are they trying to make his row here a hard one to hop, but tho directors of the club cannot afloid to try at-y experiments at tin's 8tit*e of the game, and I might go a little farther and state that it was partially tbe unfavorable reports lltitt cwme here from St. Louie that decided tbe directors to waste no more time, but immediately etrennthen the baltor- ies of the Columbus Club. This was why Bllgh was signed, aud why they were negotiating fur another buttery.

NEWS ITEMSOeorgo MeVey, fir-it taa^nmn for Milwaukee, left

tbis week fur New Orleans to practice until the fetation opens.

Director J. W. Waltz slopped over in Colnnilus last week iu his search fur ball pbyirs. He diuVt inti­ mate, however, whom he was alter. He wu/headed for Chicago.

Tbo signing of Bligh suits the fans here. He is paid to Le a tritlo weak In base-muiting, but Lo may B-ligh his calumniators.

President AVikulf wants to pet Pree'der.t Young in a convention of twM to joiu in :i uniform interpretation of tho playing rults for next season.

Tho Torontos will piny beu- iu esh'titlcr) jrftmes April 15 uud 10. Milwaukee will be Lwu April 10, 11 and 14.

Petio Somerj, of J&sl year's Columbua team, will play in Lowell.

Tom Brown would have teen ttcnrfd by Colurn'ms (f he had been homo and a deal cctld lavo been made. He w-as wanted ladlv.

Milt \Veet La» trained twenty pounds cff in the ra thi«e week.--, F. AV. ABNOLD.

PITCHER has re- signed with Syracuse

flEW YORK NEWS.What Glasscock IB Doing—What the Broth­

erhood Advisor Says—15 rack hurst Says Some Interesting Things—Ward Won't Go to Boston—Temporary and Permanent Grounds for the Giants—The Brooklyn Club's Kow, Etc. NEW YOIIK, Feb. 22. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

* Some people might think that the squabbles of players and managers in distant cities did not interest us, but they do. The trouble be­ tween Glafscock and the Indianapolis Club has gome peculiar features which ought to be given flame publicity. The Denny oml Whitney troubles can also be gone over without wasting any space. Thank goodness there is slight chance of similar troubles occurring among cur all but homeless Giants. I received the follow­ ing dispatch last night, which explains itself:

''The trouble between Ibo players GlasecocU. find Denny and. the Iudianap,lis Base B;ill Club are be­ coming more complicated each, day. The club baa made a proposition to Glas.scock, ottering him a cer­ tain salary end Ihe captaincy of llio team, which (but player indignantly lefiiees. Glas-cock lias put his case in tho hands of Lawyer J. F. C. Blackhuret, cl New York City, aud says ho vf ill fight Ibo chib to iho bitter cod. Black hurst, wbo is a peisoual friend cl J. M. Ward, la well posted in buso ball matters, ai.il ia said to bo tlie lUtorntey of the Pluyers' Brolherbocd. Ultickbuol has informed Glasst-ock that the club bad no logal uor ba^e ball right to d) aa it evidently in­ tends to do. lie says that tho Hooeier Club bas no right to try to make Glasscock sign a contract foi* a If ss salary than bo rvceivivl lift year. Glaesccck is said to have received $3,000 last year, ami lo bnve been offered $2,.~>(X) fur the coming season. Tho rustler has bcea relorred to N. K. Young, the p* es:*do:»t of iho League, at Washington, aud bin 01 iiiicu baa been asked ID tho matter."

WHAT TOE BROTHERHOOD .ADVISER SAYS.I thought the proper thin£ to do under the

circumstances was to go down and eeo friend Illackhurst, and cilled on him at his office in Wall street yesterday, lie said that it was true that he had been retained by Glasscock and had had some correspondence with him, but that be could net disclose any cl the facts ul Giaas- cock's difficulty with tho Jndianapoln Club. la speak- j ing uf other cases Involving: tho sume question for instance, Denny and Whitney bo B.iid: "It la rumored that these players have been giaded in class B, and th« salary for this class islets ibau they re­ ceived last year. Tiiey each signed a Brotherhood contracr, which promises that if tho player bo reserved for the following season ho shall receive salary, etc., the ! eiime of the seaaou before. Denuy, of Indianapolis,and j Whitney, of Washington, were etich reserved by their \ respective clubs, and tbe club list of reserved players was sent to President Young, with the salaries and other details, on or before OCT. UO, 1883, a-* required.

"Bear in mind that the contract with reservation makes it a gnat! perpetual one, and that the rights, privileges and obligations ot thu respective parties aio well defined by its kind, and it la well settled (bat tbe lights uf either party cannot be impaired without bisCOnt-eilt.

"Subsequent to tbo filing of the lit of reserved players f< r 18SO, which lists are published, and 1 think, is tbe only notice of reservation tbo players re­ ceive, tbe Lougue, in November, It-88, passed the giaJed ealc.ry law introduced by one of the League 'iu f ants' in one of the poorer paying cities. AH are familiar with the substance of tbe classification rule, but tho League, to avoid if possible the very d'fficulty which eetnm to have arisen in Denny'a case, likewise Wbitney's, passed liiie resolution:

" 'Rttuhtd, That sections 27, 29 »nd 30 be adopted etc.* * * and thiU the limitation of players' compen­ sation coutained in section 30, shall not to applied to players with whom tbe several League clubs have made continual obligation for a continuance ot salary or compensation in excess of said limitations, provided ttc.'

"In the absence of this resolution the salaries of re­ served players could not bo reduced without tbe p!«y- er's consent, yet wo fiad that two League clubs arc seeking to enforce classification, despite the very plain resolutions above quote J. la it not eiuciilar that Messrs. Soden, Day, Raiding, It each and Niniick have not experienced the same difficulty in signing tbeir players that rumor say a Brush and UewiU have met with? Players who sign Brotherhood contracts aud who have been reserved should not be alarmed. One of tbe League cluba has, I understand, shown a dispo­ sition t.» ra'se the question that the full amount w*s not stated in iho contract, and thut the player could not, therefore, demand more than the limit. In tbe absence of President Ward and without the consent of tho committee of placets wbo to ably represented the Brotherhood in tbe conference with tbe League on Nov. 17,18fc7,1 mmt decline to express iny opinion, except to say that if that question could be success­ fully advanced it i.i strange that it has not been here­ to fore raised by either of tbe five clubs mentioned. The president* of two of tbe fire clubs, ro wit, Messrs. Day and Spalding, end Col. Rogera consulted tLo League committee wbo met the Brotherhood, aud it is reasonable lo assume that all three gentlemen are fairly well roi-tC-1 on base b:tll rules and League legis­ lation and all that was done and said at tue Leaguc- Brctberbood conference above referred to. I know no nit-re about the Biutheihood than you. J am not their attorney now, tor bus tbe Brotherhood any at­ torney occupying the snmo position as Col. JEojors did in tbe League prior to 188'.*. Some time ago they re­ quired the services of an attorney and I was retains 1. 1 rendered certain services and my employment then censed."

"Where do you think Ward will play this eeaaon?" I asked.

"1 bave had some correspondence with Sir. Ward, but be has s*id nothing ou the subjec', probably be­ cause be did not tben know the facts. His absence has been particularly unfortunate to these members of tbe lirotberhood wbo have been in doubt as to their rigb's, but I know that players unsigned and wbo have bet-n unjustly subjected to Ibis cla^sMicfttion scheme will coiiio out all right, aud I repeat tbry have no occasion for any alarm."

WARD WON'T GOTO BOSTON.1 havo carefully re»d what Ward'says about going to

tbe Boston Club, aud have nl->o laboriously waded through the insane writings of tbe Boston scribes. My opiiiion of the case, however, ha-i not changed a pait:c!e as expressed lak t fall. Ward will eitbei play wiih the Kew York or Washington clubs or not at all. Presi­ dent Day bus told me this repeatedly, and I know that he means just what ho saya. Tbe other directors of tho club aie of tbe same opinion. The covert threat tbat if tbo Bean-eaters don't got Ward we ain't have WjSe has caused a quiet Intigh here. We con get along without Wise. He is not iudbpensible. 1 think we will get Sam, however, in spite of the howling Hub- it et.

I met ex-Assemblyman Joe Gordon this afternoon and asked: "Will Wurd go to B -atuo us waa indi­ cated in dispatches published Ibis morning?"

"No, ho will n.t. Tuat is assured. When Ward understands the ca?o, as he will when lie gets back to this country, be will not want to go to Boston."

Then I ran across our manager and this is what he said. "Those BOH tun papers and club can make all tbe noise they want to, but (bey could net get Wind. Ward sba'll not play with tho Boston Club under any consideration, lie will either play in tbe Washing­ ton or New Yo:k nines or not at a'l. You djii't sup­ pose that we are going to work for years io develop players aud build up a gool team, and then turn our stars over to Boston, do you? There would be some sense in allowing Ward to go to Wacdiugton. Boston Is strong enough now, and won't net any cf our weapons to beat us next year."

ABOUT NEW GROUXDS.Tbo Polo Grounds aro still up In Harlem, and tho

local directors are say-in? little but enwing a good deal of wood. Many think thnt tbe club will tti.l play Ibo season out at the old stand.

Alderman David Barry t>n Ttio.-day presented a peti­ tion, accompanied by a resolution, to order Oue-hiin- dred-and-elevenih street, from Fifth avenue to Sixth a forme, which runs through tbo Polo Grounds, to be lo^ulated aud graded. The matter was referred t<> ihe committee on public works. Friends of the New York Club last night ee< ined to think that ti.e local manage* ment had been rather hix in tbe nutter, but that yes­ terday's action l-y the board of aldermen broke tbo lust straw which held the Polo Grounds. One of tbo direct- on of tbe New York Club was been la&t night uud said:

"It looks as if our grounds were gone, and we will bave to do tbo best wo can undtr the circumstancee. We will probably piny for a month or two at St. George, S. 1, and by tbat time we may have our now grounds ready. They belong to tie Lynch estate, but aro cot on the west side of Kguth avenue. We have not got tbo property ytt, but I may be able to say*joa!Cthii)g definite in a dny or two. Tbe properly we want runs from Eighth avenue to tbe Hsn-h-m Kiver at One-hiiiidrtd-Hiid-fifiy-fiftli strett. If wo secure that propeity, which runs t* the river, we will be aLle to run boats to and from tbo grounds."

THE BROOKLYN CLUB ROW.The Brooklyn Chib officials and tbo rr.iers of Ridge-

wood Park ere stilt out. They are liable to remain tut for some time. I mav havo some interesting matter to stud to you about this subject m A week or two. Ju Ciiee tbe trouble bctwof n Meters. Wallace and Byrno is pa'cbed up then the fact* will piobwbly be emotheroil so that I won't lo »ble to get at them. I sent you last week an it-, m siy Jug tbat the Brooklyn Club contemplated playing no m->ro Sunday games. 1 acknowledge now thnt I was hoodwinked and firmly teMeve that tie Brooklyn Club considered doing nothing of tlie kind. The. ninior was i-nnj'ly put out as a "fetler," but it failed to accomplish tbo desired eltect.

The half dollars and quarters will drop into the club's coffers just us frftt us ever thiuyenr. President C. H. By rue, of the Brooklyn Club, eaid last nlgM that tbe trouble with Iho Kidgewood Park owners bad not been settled t>y uny meaus. Ho seemed to tbiuk tbat (hero was a small chance ot amicable arrangement* being reached. He had no idea \vbere the club would play, but seeiiu-d to think u«*\v grouudi could be to- cured. Many think that the club will play Ita Sucd.vy gamed at the Long IsUud grounds.

WHAT ii.vnnY srcNce is DOING.ITairy Spcnce has toen appointed rr.anngpr f f the

New Uaveu Ciub and is ht'Stling arjim!! willi his ubl- tirao vim. He liktshia new charge and tbo infant seems to le'.urn like for like. He la now in the ti'y, trying to arc tire players an J alno to arrange games fur his team for the preliminary season. Ho go^d into tlte field ratber late, but be will distance some of the ft-1- lows wbo started months alttnd of biui. "\\ o ought to have a successful season," *aid bo tbh nlteruoon, "Tbe ci.tiro stuck of oni- ciub is leid by tw*?ive VOUUK ueu. All of tlat uumber are r«pie0vuUU\

men, except ftve, wbo are newspaper men. All fivd are on different papers."

MANHATTAN COCKTAILS.Newark will play hero ia April.Tbo Australian tourists will get here about April 3,

unless there i« a break iu tue present arrangements.A movement is on fcot in Jersey City to get up a po-

tJtion asking iho tiuiiteio locate iu Jersey City for the coming aeanon. Manager Powers says iho pttitioa may te chculated to-dav. Ilo sajs the crowds can ha bandied just as well iu Jersey City na at Statcu Idland. Manager Slutriealso beaiJ from HcboUen. They want tbe Giants located iu tbe Elysiau Fie Ida for ttie coming season.

Extensive arrar.pem^Dts are being made to gHv tha Chicogo and All- America chil s a fine reception when they arrive iu this city. A meeting cf the comuiittov which baa tha niraupements in charge «as held at a spcrting prols hcuso in Broadway Tuestfaj uftoiuoou.

"Will Waul go to Boston';'* aayb Uutrie. "Kevetl Acrcrt NFTER!"

PreHdert Day is not expected to retnro to the city before March 0. Gic. E. biACKiioiSE.

BALTIMORE BULLETIN.The Association's Umpire Vacancy A Place

Kept Open For Kt-lly—A Last Shot at AVatltins' Apologist Local Note a and Comment.BALTIMORE. Feb. 22. Editor STORTING LIFE:

Seo here, Mr. Editor, den't you go monkeying" with figures. Sometimes they arc the most de­ ceptive, aggravating little numerals imaginable, anil waft one on to conclusions that are as irro- sutabJe as they are fallacious. Notwithstanding, tbe fact that only the insignificant $1,300 is left of the magnificent $0,000 for the Association umpire?, it may be readily credible that our dear eld yirir.ce, John Kelly, will yell "foul and o-ul," on the American turf, ia the season of 1SS9. Tho Prince is satisfied that hia calibre ia provided for, bat something beyond the range of base ball matters compeli him to delay final decision until April. No doubt the n'aco will beheld open for him, ami, don't you feo, tJnii fict ie a ci.iKoetBk.il to hie call lire that dhouldund proluMy duos satisfy bis pride. Should lip then decidu not to offi­ ciate, u gi;u, which is already charged, will be fired,. nnd a good n:i;iiire trough! down to fill tl:o gap. Should the Prince accept, tho chargo will EMU ply bo .. ifi..i...... Dun'1 yu« ce« how nicel/

)T 13 ALL FIXED?Xo accept banjx down comes an umpire. Accept- no banp. The Association ctii well atford to wuit u reiisonable time befuie nlliug ths vacant rwHition, A\ttjle tliete id a possib't* ch.tuce of securing Prince John. Julm ID quite in liiselement in tbo Atsoci-Uioo, md '.be t-clui and good service that bin engagement would prumiwe i-* wtll wcrib tbe dolay. To have in ad !ilif>u lo Oaflcey's quarter at least, OHP more quaiter of tha Bclitdule of games to pass off with Ibo vim in id snap tbat these two superior umpires give woulJ be to make tbo Association gamedjuat onu quarter more at­ tractive to cp-ctalors, and Hint mean*) iucieasaii iwtroa- age always. 0!i, y<B, tbe Association cai*\v*ll atfoid to wait. Tell Jnbn to come witliin tbo fold JH «o;>n aa - possible, aLd let tbe season commence with t-pirii a ad end vvi'h Eatisfactton all around.

Ab, yes; jea, hide*). Ae tbo vernal fieason ap­ proaches please "say" lo our unsophisticated prairio flowei iu

POOR, BLEEDING KANSAS CITY,that it is loo trno tbat "Birbie owns this end of TUB SPORTING Linv' tod.v autt auul, collar atiii elbow-, li'.-ol tap aud bead gear. ""Would it wero not so, but alfls, alack aday. The paper baa no careful cditc.r to shape Ita policy; ub. 110, und coireepondeDts tre left full swiiig to do what tbeir Bweet will lisiotb ab, yes. If tbere is any sneering iusult inteuded by the verdant prairie blossom, don't you tbiiik it ratliei nil cariies and ctrikes tbe editor tetweeu tbe oyta iosto;id of ih*» bumble corrc-KpouiJent. No apologies "aro necessary. \Vit!i tbo possible exception of 1'ruuoll aod tbe Cleve­ land column, pi-ihaps tbo Btiltitnt.ru scribble Is not the in out venerable screed, by age, of THE SPORTING LIFK. Perbapj it didn't commence when tlio papi-r wns In waddling cloilitfl. Of course, tbe old readoia of the jMipc-r aro on to tbe lack of independence in tbe Baiii- . iiiore columu uli, yea, tbat is it* yreat fault. Oh, yest too, tbe pre^s, tbe great discrinilnanng jiublic eye, has Watty and President Uaruio photographed upon ita susceptible rttina through the medium of tual

WORLD HKKOWSEDcorrespond en t and celct^rated I iterary came: a, the prairie bud, and the Associated wired are buruod with tbe fervid beat of public opinion that it is n case of tbe old fable again, rev.tmped l-y modern prairie blos­ soms. Wu'ty Istbo metrtj/horlcal woll that liaukeretl for ibo mctaphnricAl lamb. The metaphorical Heaven- ger's stomacb id even now unnaturally dHteii<led with tbe metaphorical meal of iiiftaplioncal mtittoo, and there are all the meUpljorical concooiitautB, such aa metaphorical ay^epsia and

METAPHORICAL NIGHTJIARK.All h admitted, ami the flower tbat tlojms in Ihe West, tra-l«, pbnuld Le bajipy and sing "I am the L-o-r-d llitth LVc-cutioiier." And ull tUin ptibllo opinion, et ctteia, ft cetera, is through llie m'-aos of the croalinn ot Hie prtat and only p:alrie bud. Ah, me! iheT'Efocru-he--1; tbo burden is iniu;-ptittable; tbt! T'd ro-igns; tlm Irt.-t blow tbit th ittered tbo cita- di-1 of pride was tbo hot Bti<,t of tho "prt-eu comments" tbat Ibe modest piairio bud inspired, and "taw," and flied. "Kvrry one wbo knew ber felt tho gentle power ol Hos-a-He, thfl prai-ri-> flower." Tl.ere is A littlo htrbivorons fjuudrut/td which, wheu disturbed, covers lib reu,-al with

A \V1IISK OF THE TAILwhich so contaaiiiiHtes the surrounding atmosphere with noxious odors lhat the cha--e, to "say* 1 ths least, is unrjlt-asont. The pralrio bud has emulati.d tbis little animal in ita tactics, but tbe aroma, being of a flower, is much more pleamnt Indeed, is charming uud the horticultural cultivation in cummonded to all loveis of tbe beautiful. The T*« surrenilcr". The lovely bud should now fold it-i delicate p*'tals in mule Fatisfaction and strut with refined prido iu the flowery kingdom ani(jny the prairie heather.

Tbo base ball people here believe tho J/em7<I hasIIADR A MISTAKE

in allowing Its eporting editor, Mr. John Kocho, to leave its employment. John waa well up iu tho busi­ ness nod gave !Hi interesting, impartm! report in hia departnifcDt, aud was an energetic detective o! us-ws and tlio true iiiwarducts of tt. His ba-o ball column, was original, e| icy and unusually true \« fact, nr,d bis long Bervko in tluit branch made him alni'M iuvulu- able lo any live paper. Ilia descriptions "t c-vt-nta wero looked up to with contidt'tHC, and ha will be sadly missed by tho Uvull readtrs unle^b bia tqual la found.

ORIOLK CHIRPS.Walter Burnham.of Worcester, had tho terms of

IlorDcr and Wariier, but fa ; bd to connect, as tho fig­ ures were considered too high. Jim Hart ft* alsi> dickering with tho clever battery. Jim knows its value, ami, n.» doubt, wtll cntiugo it if coinimtibto with iho fliiancial iiiiere^ts of tbo club bo represent*; New llavou al.^o ban tbe fiRUrca uu4et consideration. It may bo said to Mr. Cnrti-i or Mr. S-pence in all honesty, lhat either will not go amis* in signing Ilor- uer unJ Warner, if the te;n:s c«u consistently l>e ac­ cepted. It in no common bittery, and is well worth a Httlo more ttan the avt-nige. Tbe bklll is of tl.e best, and there is no riect-ieiiy for anxiety in watching the habits of the ck-vt-r ji«ir. Both aro Hmcepiible to the gentlist di-ciplino, and never oilcnd in that lospect.

Mike GHU! has haJ SMIIO experience a^ a pitciior, and wcuhl Lo glad to m:tk*> au engagement with m minor club, llo givos]>rimii$c, with intelligent hund- liofr, to develop mto a vuluablo player.

Jakft Evaus has been nought in baso ball baunts, but has not materialized. If Jakt> will call at 2f»;l Leimox strt'et, any evening at six o'clock, after Monday of next weeU, his condition »ud de^irea .n tho way of a base liall engagement will bs ruadn known. If j »ko's arm is in goo-l ehapc und bo i^ it'.t loo rusty, be may be able to regain his old laurels us tho Lest li^hfe fielder tlie country ever saw. There n^vtr was uuy- thing otjectionalle in his jiersonal habits and be ia etill a young man. lie ui.s developed HS a ball | layer by tbe writer, who feels a dt-tp ii.Urest i:> tbo success of all those boys who were assodattd with him.

A visit to tbe new grounds discloses energtt'c work. There inn > doubt they will te ready for the opening games. Tbo arrun-remeutn are much belter than at ttie HuntJotitou avenue Rrc.Ufids. Tbe grouuJ is higher and should drain htt:er, and Iho soil is better adapted for quickly absorbing tbe rainfall. With thy froet out of tbe ground it should dry out enough iti the space of » week to admit of vlaviug gamt e. Altogether it is believed patrons will bo better pleased thnu with Oriole Turk. It is hoped they will bt provided with a good *od lo relievo the eye of the spectator if nut to make belt"T games p08*ibk».

The T',1 was in New York this week nnd tried to call on friend Ctmdwick, but the rain ai.d business and tbe necessity ofctlUug ou a relative wbo wa* ex­ tremely ill all combined to frustrate tbo pleasani in­ tention.

If Harry Spence tnke§ hold of New Daven, his old Baltimor« friends will wattb his career witb interoit. lie should make a pood one for that venerable tiirg^ and, no doubt in the least, be will be un artittic tuc- ce*s I lie re.

Lew Dichcrson and the S.iya (Louisacd Jim, not Ilia K. C.. "f*y,' : ) bnve not been pefcii or beard of tbis win­ ter. If they wuut to he io th« swim an-1 let people know tboy are alivo to base bitII they ihculd make a noise. IUtiven bless the boys, how quiet they are 'bis winter. There It a* been no material for a diet of snow bulls, so Rurely they can't ft'l be laid up with dys­ pepsia. Symptoms of tho coming seaion urn seen on tho town lots in tbo suburbs, but no familiar faces loom up to leklndle tie slumbering fires of enthu­ siasm.

It Tommy Tucker drowns himself in that icy East, tho Oriole lird will don a funereal plumage. Corn» SotUh, Tom, cut of the wt-t,-where- the vernal blonotus beKln to reep above the virgin sort of fair Waverly, arid where no cruel water?, covered with deceptive glare, invite the unwary to damp sepulchre. ll«?tycn a boolle Hint when Tom was in be kicked Hken fiteer ami y el ltd "nit out,'* just for euphony as iiwere._ (.Vm.e, Tommio, coni'>. Como South aad ride a bike. It leal* shfttii.'K to (lentb, aud you can tangif ycurself lip just aa much and without half the effort. T. T. T.

Dayton's New Club.DAYTON, O, Fob. 18. Editor SPORTING Lire: Th«

Gem City B'iee Ball Association, of this city, IIHS re­ ceived its papers of incurp* ration nnd bus been al- mittted into the Tri-St»to League. Tue stock ha1* b^en indorsed \-> 80 th.-ires with :vll sharei already taken. Tbe fnc<srporati.TH are Sam Wngucr, Tim Douovan, KiUvarO Wtlsb, Frank Brewer and frank F<»x.

luve been secured and work commenced. Mr, II. T. Smitj^^^jj^iit, maua^-r of the Springfield, 1.1.,