Dec. 3O. THE SPORTINO LIFE. 5

BASE BALL.

COLLEGETHE BASE BALL MEN NOW SHOWING

MUCH ACTIVITY.

Preparations For the Coming Season Going on at All ol the Leading Universities-Correspondence From Various Seats ol Learning.

The outlook for base ball at the var­ ious universities next season is unusu­ ally bright. Pennsylvania promises to have a very strong ball nine, and Coach Woodruff thinks there is enough of avail­ able material in the university to place a winning crew on the water. Yale and Princeton are well pleased with the base ball outlook at those universities. At New Haven a new cage will be erect­ ed. It will be about 30 feet wide and 15 feet high, while the three walls will be of brick. The entire space in the build­ ing will be 107x30 feet. Harvard retains most of her track athletes of last sea­ son, but will have to build up an almost entirely new ball nine. The resignation of Cook, as captain, is a sorry blow to tho crimson. Dickinson, a senior, is spoken of as a probable candidate for the position. At nearly all of the minor col­ leges also, preparations are being made for strong representation upon, the base ball field.

YALE PLANS.Captain Case's Ideas of Preparatory

Work The New Cage, Etc. New Haven, Dec. 27. Captain

George Case, of the Yale base ball forces, will start his squad in active training right after the holidays. But he will riot insist on "early to bed" for the first two mouths of the season. His men will not have to retire at 10.30 o'clock until the hard outdoor work begins. Pitcher John Clarkson will ar­ rive oh February 21, and will coach the pitching candidates for four weeks. Clarkson handled the Yale players well last spring and helped Carter a good deal. The, early work will be carried on in the new "batting cage," which it is hoped will be ready for use by February 1. The building will be erected ni the lof back of the new gym­ nasium, and will extend the entire width of t!io lot, using the three high brick walls as sides. It will be 30 feet wide and about 15 feet high at the peak. The length will be 107 feet. The walls will be padded with matting and the skylights in the roof protected by wire netting. In here batting, throw­ ing, pitching and base sliding can be practiced with a good deal of freedom. The onlv new ball player of any reputa­ tion is Murphy, the football tackle, who was a great back-stop at Andovcr. He is rated as an extra good catcher, and with .lohn (Jree-nway will take Carter's pitching. Ilarnion Graves, the half­ back, now in the law school, was a phenomenal catcher and batter at Trin- itv, and if he is eligible he may come out. He has said nothing about it yet. Beall, the second baseman; Kodzie, catcher, and Bliss, in the field, have graduated. Murphy is taking a gradu­ ate course, but his base ball days are over and he is not likely to play another year. The old men available are Green- way, catcher ; Carter and Davis, pitch­ ers; Stevenson, first base; Hedges, sub­ stitute second base; Arbuthnot and Uus- tin, third baseinen; Speer, Case and Bigelow, substitutes in the field. Cartel- will be the strongest part of tin? team, but the prospects are that Yale will turn out a pretty well-balanced and ef­ fective nine. Case has all the elements of a successful captain. This is his fourth year on the team, and as a fielder, batsman and base runner bis record has been exceptionally good.

AKE.WESLEYAN

The Team Candidates to Begin Train­ ing Under Terry and Burns.

Middlctown, Dec. 20. The candidates for the Wesleyau base bull team will go into active training immediately after the close of the holiday recess. Eight of last year's players are now in college, nnd the freshman class contains a num­ ber of promising men. The old batting cage is to be used once more, as the one in the new gymnasium cannot be ready in lime. "Adonis" Terry, of the Pitts- b:irgs, and Tom Burns, of the old Chi­ cago team, will again do the coaching. Terry will be here about the middle of February, and Burns will coach the team when they go upon the field after Kaster.

The schedule of games has not been definitely arranged, but one or more games will be played with each of the following institutions: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Amherst, Dartmouth, Kordham, Columbia, Colgate;, Uutgers, Stevens, Tufts, Trinity, Williams, Holy Cross, and the University of Vermont There will be more home games than usual, and the two grand stands on the .side of the field will probably bt enlarged before the season opens.

Pennsylvania Pointers.Philadelphia, Doe. 2(5. Qiptaiu

Charles llollister, of the University ol Pennsylvania team, will get his men to gcther about January 15. Ho has candi­ dates galore for his nine. The new men are many and first-class. Gelbert, ol the foot ball team, is as fast an out fielder as one will meet in amateur ranks, while Speese and Schoenhut an a pair of youngsters who, while at At lantic City, proved their ability to trave in first-class company.

The pitcher's box will be sought aftei by half a dozen or more, but it looks now as though the nine would be weak there. Boswell is about the best of th< lot. His simuner work was good and i will undoubtedly prove a valuable ex perieuce for him. If any of the twirl ers make even a poor imitation of the lamented Clarence Bayne's work of '9 Captain Hollister will be happy.

Arthur Irwin will not be with the nim after April 15, but he will be able ti give the players a great deal of gooc coaching up to that time. After all i would seem that it is for the best tha he will not be with the team the whol season. Not the best thing for the sue cess of the team by any manner o means, but other colleges only emplo; coaches for the cage and early sprin work, and it looks like an unfair ad vantage for one team to have a profes gional coach on the bench. This, how ever, is simply a matter of opinion, a there are many who argue the othe way.

Harvard's Prospects.Boston, Dec. 27.-The resignation o

Captain Cook from the University bal team is a hard blow. There was a ru mor around that the Athletic Comrnitte asked for his resignation on the grouiu 1 that they were averse to having an; man in a graduate department tak charge of the team. There Is, however not a word of truth in the repoVt. A re porter saw Professor Ames, chairma of the Athletic Committee, who said:

"I received Cook's resignation thi morning, and can say assuredly that hi

isignation is prompted only by per-oual reasons. It is his second year inie law school and he feels that heught to give more time to his studieslan he would be able to if he playedall and captained the team. The un-ergraduate rule has nothing whatevero do with it. The strongest point that

can think of to disprove this reportthat Cook's election last spring was

atified by the committee. They havead no possible reason to change theiriuds since then. I am sorry personally

hat Cook has resigned, but I feel thate has done a very creditable and manlyling, and I applaud his action from thisandpoint."Not only does Harvard lose her cap-

Tin, but also the only veteran left f last year's winning nine. The caudi- ates for the ball team have not yet ome out, but were expecting to be call- d on directly after the recess. There- ore it will be necessary to elect a new aptain at once. Dickinson, '04, will robably be the choice. He is an old layer, and Ins had much experience. Vhile he is hardly the all-round player lat Trafford was at first base, he, overtheless, knows his position well nd ought to make a good captain. The rospects of Harvard turning out a win­ ing nine next spring looked pretty dubi- us a week ago, nnd, with the loss of ook, it will be a very hard task, in- eed, for the new captain to put an ag- regation of ball players into the field hat cau down Yale.

MANAGERIAL LIMITATIONS.

Some Things Even the Best of Them Cannot Do.

The release of Manager Harry Wright, f the Philadelphia Club, because the ten under him failed to win the Na- ioiml League pennant recalls an opinion xpressed some days prior to that event y first baseman Harry Taylor, of the 5altimores, to a Buffalo "Times" re- orter. Talking of winning clubs in eneral and the Bostons in particular, e was led to say that in bis judgment lie success of a ball team depended very ttle on tho manager, but almost alto- ether ou the men themselves. Said Tay- or:

Of course I do not mean to say that he malinger is a nonentity; hut ntter e has selected the players he must allow liem to manage themselves to a vtry large xtcnt. It would not be a had guess to ay that the success of the champion lostonw is due largely to a reeoguiticii of tils fact by Manager Solce. He allows lie players to act very much as they like ff the field, so long as their hnhits and .ours are reasonably good, nnd does not ttempt to exercise over them the sur- eillance that obtains in an Oriental harem.

It Is foolish to suppose that a ican- ger or captain can direct the work of hi; players on the field to any great ex- cnt, if good results are hoped for. The len must work out a team play of their wn, and at critical stages a very great cat must he left to the judgment of the ndividnal players. The old men, those vho havo learned the tricks of the jrume,

better If left as much as possible to hcmsetves."Now, I do not believe any amount of

ireclion of captain or manager would inprove the play of such men as Tommy fci^arthy or Hnjjh Duffy, of the Itostons. 'hey are veritable wonders in all dcpart- iicnts of the game, and are away and thove the cleverest outfielders, all things onsidered. In the National League. They re sure catchers and great throwers, and ii the inside are among the host of hat­ ers, and aro like the wind when on the laso lines. On general principles I am mmsed to the bunt, but In the hands of. ,ucli artists as the Hoston pair it Is a lellglitful and scientific feature.

"There are others of the liostons who re not less great in their respective posi- ions. Herman Long is unapproachable as : short stop, while the Imspmen are a

great Irio. Lowe has developed Into a great man at second, and while perhaps lot as good as some other League men In ho same position. Is rapidly Improving. i'ueker has the reputation of being a dirty' hall player, but he does not deserve t. It's his enthusiasm, and it is of the :ort that wins games. These men would apturo the penuaut whoever might be heir manager,"

THIS IS SARCASM.

The Easy Job the New Philadelphia Manager Will Have.

From the Philadelphia 'Truss." Arthur Irwin cannot and will not fill

he place made vacant, by the enforced re- IrcniiMit of Harry Wright no one mail can lo that. Hut Arthur is full of ideas and las an aggressiveness which comports 'nlly with Colonel Uogers' views of the lualitics that go to make up a successful i.anjiger. Irwin will take hold of the team

,nder exceedingly favorable circumstances. While regretting the departure of Harry Wright, press and public will do nothing

weaken the hands of the incoming nager. He will have absolute control

^ the team. His verdict will be final as to the hiring and discharging of play- rs. and he will be held responsible for esults. That Is as It should be. Irwin has fro-

pio.ntly pointed out to the writer how"larry Wright had been handicapped, and

e n'ill doubtless profit by the mistakes nd weaknesses of tho veteran. He will ako hold of a tonm that hut for n chapter

nt accidents would have finished second icvond all reasonable doubt. Ho has had

n chance to size up Its weak points, andnil lliei

he will have to do Is to strengthen m a performance that Is about as easy

He knows tlint the club Is weak In the ox. poor on the base lines and totally oticlent in team play. All that lie will

..ave to do is to get a couple of good pitchers, teach the hoys how to run bases a la Hoston and give them an injection >f brains. In medicine the one great tiding s a correct diagnosis. Dr. Irwin has cer­ tainly had the opportunity to make a cor­ rect diagnosis in tho case of the Philadel­ phia invalid. The ofllcacy of his treatmenti-ill be 'made manifest at the end of the

seasou of 1804.

ROGERS' RIGHT

To Release or Engage Managers at His Sweet Will.

The Pittsburg "Times" tho other day, in commenting upon tho release of Harry Wright by the Philadelphia Club, said:

"Will Reach nnd Rogers, who have sent Harry Wright adrift in his declining and almost sightless years, eutertaio remorse as a guest to-day?"

Another "Times" a Buffalo paper- takes this as a text for a sermon upon the rights of club owners. It says:

"The foregoing Is the veriest bosh. Why should anybody question the propriety of the owners of the Philadelphia Club choos­ ing whom they may deem best to man­ age their club? No newspaper or indi­ vidual would presume to deny any other capitalist to choose liis own employe, and no exception should be made here. Messrs. Reach and Rogers have at leas: $75,000 invested In their club, and if it is not earning the dividends under Mr Wright's management that they believe ii should nnd would In other bauds they do right to make a change.

"The fact that Mr. Wright Is a veteran and has suffered a terrible affliction shoulc not be brought into this discussion of s purely business affair. Tho Phlladelplm owners are responsible for neither the oiu nor the other. Lay both things at the door of Providence If you will, but have the justice not to score them to the dis credit of Messrs. Reach and Rogers. Bill­ ing the whole time that Mr. Wrlght ha been with the Philadelphia Club he ha doubtless been the recipient of a satis factory salary or he would not have re­ mained at the same post for 10 years It is not to be believed that Mr. Wright himself cares for any mawkish syin pathy."

Still another statement requires correc tion Mr. Wright is not "almost sight less" His sight is as good as it wa before his illness in 1890.

Ed McKean and Kid Baldwin are tht

best wrestlers in the base ball profession although John Coleman is very handy a that sport. Ifaldwin received hla iustruc tlous from Muldooii.

HUB HAPPENINGS.SOME TIMELY AND GOOD AD­

VICE TO FELLOW SCRIBES

To Turn Over a New Leaf in the New Vear Some Facts About the Har­ vard Ball Team Minor Leagues and Record Players General News.

Boston, Dec. 28, 1893. Editor Sport­ ing Life As we whirl around the goal post of '93 and enter the course of '!)4, we realize that we are running full tilt into the season of '94. A Happy New Year to the "Life" and all her crew, and it must be such, as the renewed pros­ perity of the game will bring her re­ newed prosperity. Let all pull together for our cause while we are in the season where "peace and good will prevails among men" and should among all. 1 think there should be less nose pulling by newspapers and correspondents. Don't lower your calling; there are enough who ought to be out of it and ew enough of the reputable kind. Two "rst-class writers should be above the espicable business of washing their irty clothes before the public, but still liey did it in '93. It is not a bit smart, hough each man thinks so at the time, t hurts the paper, too, and it hurts the a me. It disgusts every reputable eader. What does he care about A. B.'s pinion of A. D. ? Not a rap.

COCK'S RESIGNATION.Well, I was very little surprised about

tie resignation of Captain Ben. Cook, f the Harvard nine. There was some alk that his resignation was forced be- ause he was not considered a strong uotigh leader by the Graduate Commit- ee. Cook says he was not forced, but liat he did not have the time to devote o the game, but needed it for his Indies. Well, it is about as broad as it as long tantamount to a confession hat if he handled the nine he would ave more than he could handle. So he >'ould. Ho would never have made an

Al captain. I took a trip to Harvard ast fall and found him extremely un- ocial, untalkative and reticent. A tranger's opinion of him would be de- idedly and deservedly unfavorable. It as been almost the invariable rule in ny experience (a long one) to look for ourtesy from Yale and the cold shoul- er at Harvard.I thiuk there is a good deal in Yale

icing so successful over Harvard in snowing how to do things. Yale has the 'savoir faire." Yale beat Harvard at owing, athletics and football and only ost in base ball by a lluke, for Bliss vas surely a dead weight on the Yale earn. Talk about Harvard superiority; he thoroughly good fellow at Harvard eally, he ought to be placed on a ped- 'stal. The thorough gentleman, courte- nis, gentlemanly always, is Mr.Clarence Smith, who coached the team with Sam Winslow last season and will do so this ear. Mr. Smith is one of the most 'iithusiastic lovers of the game I ever net in my life. He is up to his fingers n the game and can give more posers han any one in the country. When in Hilloge he was a first-class player. He could play in almost any position. A nore modest man never lived. He is re­ tiring almost to a fault, yet he is not oo proud to occasionally visit the news- laper boys. It is pleasant beyond

measure to be thrown into contact with such a gentleman. On the ball field he s never too busy to fail to notice you. What a model Harvard men have right inder their eyes, and they don't see urn and wouldn't if he could! What, reat a reporter with common courtesy?

Mr. Smith will probably do all the caching of the club next season. It coks as if "Ally" Dickinsou, '94, would ic the new captain. He played lirst- jase in 18i)2, ami played the bag well, ^ast year lie had to give way to Traf- "ord, and act as substitute first baseman.

'. do not think the change in captains vill injure the prospects of the team n the least. Wiggin will doubtless do the julk of the pitching next season. He vas very effective and bids to be more

so in '94. He is a very heady pitcher, 'ar more so than Andy Highlands, Tack's brother, who has a great ten- leiicy to go to pieces at critical points. Wiggin is very steady and hard to rattle, but his steadiness is what makes lim easier to hit than a wilder pitcher.

I'll AT ALLEGKD THHEE-COHNBKED DEAL.That would have been a great three-

lornered scrap, wouldn't it? Long to S'cw York, AlcKeau to Boston and duller to Chicago. Whoever figured this out I'd like to know. Not a Clove- and man, you can bet, and Patsey Tebeau must have been more than 20 miles away. Clubs are not weakening nowadays. The strengthening must come from without. Sometimes you get vour man, soitotimes you don't. From all I hear Barnie would have got a rat- ;liug good man if he had snatched, but Billy has got conservative. That's where you get left, Billy, my boy, and you should have secured that young pitcher, McLaughliu.

ItHCOKUM.AND PLAYERS.The wiseacres all talk about taking

averages in the minor leagues with a grain of salt. How bright! Go and see a man play and you will be able to tell in a twinkling whether he's your man or no. I have seen many a league average that might well be questioned averages, fudge, fiddlesticks! The man who in­ dulges in talk about averages don't know base ball. Why, Herman Long generally has the lowest figures of the shortstops, and he never looks for his figures in batting. Such a big hitter as Dan Brouthers is the biggest record chaser in the country. He is looking for hits all the time and failure to get them is enough to spoil his day not his diges­ tion, nor his meals, for nothing could do that. Many a youngster whose record did not amount to anything in a minor league has shown up in great style in the big league. Duffy was a prodigy, a big hitter, according to minor records, and from the first he showed he was a hit. It took a long time for a club to realize Tom McCarthy's worth, ant] both Boston and Philadelphia allowec one of the greatest outfielders of the country to slip through their hands Lowe had a big record in a minor league. His club, the Bostons, never found his batting average had to be taken with suspicion. Herman Long had a good batting record in the Western Association. I can adduce enough ex­ amples in the Boston Club to show how many cases there are of players who die not belie their minor league figures Last season the little Fall Uiver (Mass.] Club, with a $000 club, gave the Cin cinuatis a good pull for victory, almost winning. Where the minor leaguers are making a great point is in agreeing not to sell their best players during the play ing season. Anything else would be sure suicide. Who cares to see a team run 01 such a policy which deprives it of its best players?

SPOKES FROM THE HUB.Holler polo rolls as merrily as ever.Manager Irwin, of the Phillies, wa

in the city last week.The Western managers have not re

cruited much from the East as yet.That was a false rumor, after all

about Fall Kiver joining the Easteri League. I heard that Fall River wautei" Arthur Irwin.

Providence lost an old New Englam League player in Campion. The news o his deatn was a surprise and shock t all

As far as I can learn the New Eng laud League will not meet until afte the League schedule meeting. Ther really is ho need of a meeting. Lewis ton is to have new and enlarged ground atid is to be equipped in great shape

STo club has more enthusiastic backing, nd money is plenty when it comes to ie national game.The lightest and liveliest team comes earest to the ideal in scientific base ball, leavy weights like and , whom ou will recognize, are brainy ball toss- rs, but their bodies or legs, or both, pre- ent them from carrying out what their eads dictate. We'll get there by and y.

JACOB. C. MORSR

BANCROFT TAPPED AGAIN.

MR. VON DER AHE'S PROMISES FOR NEXT SEASON.

'he Prince of Story Tellers Con­ tributes Some More.

Frank C. Bancroft, the Reds' business nanager, has decided to spend the vinter here, and ho will be the general ligh Muck-a-Muck overseeing the cou- truction of the stands.While the Reds were on their recent

larnstorming tour of the State "Ban- ie's" gold-headed cline, which had been resented to him by his fellow-citizens f New Bedford some years ago, was tolen from a car while the kings of lie diamond were at a lunch counter :oing against hard boiled eggs, dough-uls anil sandwiches at their own ex- >euse. During the season they wouldave yelled "murder!" over such fare

f the club had presumed to limit them o such a bill of fare. That is neither ere nor there. When "Baiinie" re- urned the other, day he found the cane e had "lost" had come back with a ontle hint that a reward would bo ccep table.

ABOUT CAXBS."There are two things in this life that

've always scratched," said Colonel Bancroft. "One of these is a gold-

headed cane and the other a tall silkat. I've lugged that cane around with

ne for three years and I've also got alug in my baggage that I bought to vear at Luke Schoolcraft's funeral. I uppose I'm keeping it to spring again vhen somebody else dies."

This little disquisition on canes irought out another story, and Mr. irush told it. "I have got a big col- ectiou of walking sticks," declared the n-esidiiig genius of the Cincinuatis, "andrarely carry one two consecutive days,

'his summer there was one that I irought down here half a dozen times,ml would you believe it, the Reds in- 'ariably won? Tin not superstitious, nit I began to call that stick my mas- otto. Well, I went away with the boys ni a trip. My cane has been broken in iow. It has lost its charm."

AND MASCOTTES."Talking about superstition," observed

jolonel Bancroft. "The last time the teds were in Philadelphia I was given in illustration of faith in mascottes. )o you remember the game Frank hvyer pitched'.' When the ninth inn- ng commenced we wore four runs ahead >f the Phillies; of course, we thought he game cinched, but Secretary Shetz- ine caught sight of a deformed son of lam. He exclaimed: 'There's our nascotte!' and rushed him over to the Quakers' bench. Two men were out and \ nice little fly was sent out to Hollidny. t looked like 100 to 1 that the game

was over, but that easy tly dropped hrough the boy's fingers and before the rouble ended the score was tied. You hould have seen 'Shetz.' He was crazy. Come over and see our mascotte! 1 said ie to me. Of course, it was Holliday vho had lost the game and not the ugly -oon who had won it, but if I had ac- epted the Quaker Secretary's invite I night have been tempted to dose tho nascotte with rough on rats." "Cin-

itiiinati Times-Star." ___

PROGRESSIVE ROB.

How Bancroft Got Even For a Raw Deal by Chapman.

The League moguls in turning a deaf >ar. to the advocates of the double um- liro system doubtless acted with com- uendable discretion. It is hard enough o find enough good men to fill seven Kisitioiis on the staff; where would your

T ncle Nick Young go to scare up 14? Shades of Mike Walsh, Bob Ferguson, \lamuzoo Jenr.ings and Charlie Mitch-

defend us! When an umpire is bad he is generally bad all around cross-eyed on balls and strikes, and on lase decisions, too.

It wouldn't help matters to have a fel->w behind the plate all muddled up,ven if the umpire at the bags was

seeping a perfect set of books. If bothshould be of that all-too-common varietymown in the parlance of Fandoui as'rotten," of what profit would the dualsystem prove? Only a double allliction!Man was born to trouble, and the uni-lire just gets a little more than his"bare; that's all. While on this subjectof the autocrats, or martyrs, of thetame just as you like it one of FrankBancroft's yarns comes in pat.

"Jack Chapman and I were taking a ouple of teams through Massachusetts me time," said he, "and we were al­ ternating as umpire. One day in Hol- voke he gave us an awful raw deal. I lidn't say a word, but I made a bet with myself that it would be my time to look pleasant the next afternoon. We played at Pittsfield, and you may well lelieve everything came our way. Old i'hap was crazy. He roared like a bull. Who told you you could umpire?' he isked. 'Not a soul,' I retorted. 'I siui- ily took a few lessons from you at Holyoke yesterday.' "___

SALT CITY SAYINGS.

No Local Knowledge of the Alleged Admission to the Eastern League.Syracuse. N. Y., Dec. 20. Editor

'Sporting Life:" "You must go away from home to hear news," holds good in the case of Syracuse as regards admit- :ance to the Eastern League. The Buffalo papers have it that Syracuse has been admitted and Mr. George Kuntzsch s receiving letters of congratulations.

A call on Mr. Kuutzsch yesterday, by your correspondent, found that gentle- :nan busily engaged in writing a letter of inquiry to headquarters, asking what the prospects are for the admission of Syracuse to the Eastern League, and there you have it. Mr. Kuntzsch says that he has heard nothing in regard to the matter in question, and is becoming inxious as time is Hying, and if we are to have a ball team we must also have money and players, and as far as the Sirst necessary article is concerned, it re­ quires considerable time to acquire.

Mr. Kuntzsch is desirous of getting to­ gether a baug-up ball team, and, indeed, no other will answer the demand, as Syracuse folks know a thing or two about base ball. Hurry up that commit­ tee, Mr. Powers, and let's see how we

-G. WHIZ.

"PAT HOT CLUB."

A Reminiscence of Ted Sullivan's Gaily Attired Senators.

There is nothing that catches a South­ ern darky's eyes as quickly as a flashy uniform. Ted Sullivan, with Celtic acumen, was not long in detecting this. He managed the Washington Club one season, and when the time came for spring practice he fitted the Senators out in a set of cheap, "loud" uniforms that could be heard in a bordering State, and started them down to Dixie The effect was magical. The colorec people blocked the streets around tlu hotels where the Senators put up, am followed their carriages through th« streets in droves, and packed the bleach ers to see "dat hot club," as Ted's ag gregation was termed. It was the firs' time in the redoubtable Sullivan's cared as a manager that he made the gate re ceipts at the early practice games paj the current expenses of the club. St Louis Globe-Democrat

ST. LOUIS SIFTINGS.

Many New Faces to be Seen on the Brown Team Tebeau, of Cleve­ land, Talks About Himself and Virtue Yank Robinson's Benefit, Etc.

St. Louis, Dec. 25. Editor "Sport- ng Life:" I met O. P. Tebeau and W. oyce in Faust's Sunday evening. Joyce

was accompanied by a valise."What'« in the bag, Billy, gold brick

ir green goods?" queried George Mun- ;on.

"No; tickets for Billy Robinson's ben- 'fit. We want to hold you up for two,"

said Joyce, as he opened the valise andpassed two of Robby's benefit tickets cross the table. "This is a regular gymnasium turkey,"

said Jack Crooks, at an adjoining table, lis face stuffed with bird and his knifeburied in the bosom of a tough slice of Kniltry.

"My bird is in good shape for a battle, :oo. lie's trained fine. I'll have to get L double Nelson on this eagle," said foyce, as he got a strangle hold ou he turkey with his knife. "By the way, Tebeau, Mr. Von der

Ahe would like to talk business withyou. What do you think of playing irst on the Browns and captaining the earn?" asked Mr. Munson."I'd do a lot of thinking before ac­

cepting such an offer," said Tebeau. ''No, George, St. Louis is good enough ;o live in, but I wouldn't care aboutplaying ball here. Mr. Robinson has as­ sured me that whatever becomes of the Jleveland Club I shall remain as cap- aiu for another season. The only deal ve would make is the trading of v'irtuefor Gleasou. Perhaps we would pay asmall bonus beside. I \vant to deny hat report about my being exchanged

for a player on the New York team."I believe the managers of the New

Cork Club are aware that there isn'troom for Johnny AVard and I on oneearn. I will play first and captain theJlevelauds another season, and the best

can do for You der Ahe is to get himVirtue. But I can't see how Virtue vould fit in the St. Louis team as well is Perry Werden. Werden is Virtue'ssuperior as a hitter, and it's a batting irst baseman the Browns want. 1 would idvice the Boss to retain Werden and_ive him the preference, even over irouthers."

DANNY AND THE KID.Danny Richardson, so the gossips say,

vill not adorn his breath with the ottof whisky next season. As to the causef Dauny's reformation I have heard

nothing definite whether it be due ton injection of the Keeley poultice or a

noral desire to scratch "skating rinks"from his visiting list during the playingseason.

Dauny can find work in St. Louis. If Mr. Byrne will give the Boss an

;ar he may hear of something to his nterest, for the Boss is ready at any hue to give Gleason in exchange for Richardson. This is the sort of tit-for- at that would work both to the ad­

vantage of the Brooklyn and St. Louis clubs. Mr. Von der Ahe, so Mr. Mun­ son says, would trade Qiiinn for Burns )r Werden for Brouthers, and about >500 to boot could be had by Mr. Byrne 'or the Brouthers-Werden trade.

FAliltELL IN DEMAND.Wagner could work a dicker by which

ie can secure Gleasou for Charley Far- roll and $500.

Mr. Von der Ahe is now debating over certain changes and will enter in negotiation as soon as he signs a man­ ager.

OHMS' DENIAL."The newspapers were a little too

liasty in declaring that I made Harry Wright an offer to manage the Browns," says the Boss. "I never had a word with Wright nor has he applied to me for the managemnt of the Browns. He's an efficient man and it may be that we can come to terms. I will announce the manager of the Browns about the middle of January, and di­ rectly he is appointed we will begin to reach out for players. There will be some radical changes in the make-up of the Browns and I will spare neither money nor pains to give St. Louis a team that will be in the race from start to finish. I want to correct the impres­ sion that I am desirous of selling or exchanging Gleasou. There is a bigger demand for Gleason than any other player on my team, and I will trade him on reasonable terms. He may go to Brooklyn or Washington."

LIKES DELEHANTY.I believe Mr. Von der Ahe has a

fondness for Delehanty, and if Mr. Irwin will wire his terms for that brilliant player a satisfactory trade may result. So, at least, says Mr. Munson. Perhaps Irwin could arrange a deal on the Dele- hanty-Gleasou basis. Or is Philadelphia partial enough to Gleason to welcome his return to Quakertown?

JOYCE'S LIITUS JOKE.You haven't heard that one about

Nat Goodwill and his double, Alf. Hamp­ ton, eli?" said Billy Joyce.

"Someone told Nat that Hampton was a realistic copy of him. That, in case they were bowed down with a tide and unable to identify themselves, their mothers couldn't pick 'em out.

"Nat, to satisfy his curiosity, dropped in and witnessed Hampton's perform­ ance at the New York Bijou Theatre one night.

" 'Hampton,' said Nat, as he left the theatre, 'is a dead ringer for me, but one of us is a few chips shy as an actor.' "

WATTY'S TEAM.W. H. Watkius, manager of the Sioux

City team, has signed these players for his club: Crouse, of last season's Euston Park Team, catcher; Lefty Marr, first base; Stewart, of Terre Haute, second base; Frank Genius, third base; Walsh, formerly of tho Eastern League, short stop; Hogreivcr, left field; McCaun, from the Southern League, centre, and Miller, a "trial bor&e," of tho Browus, right field.

Cumiingham, who pitched for Balti­ more, has been secured by Watty, and Parvin, of last season's New Or­ leans team, will be given a trial. Watty will winter in St. Louis. He says the guarantee plan, by which each club forfeits a share of the earnings if they "fall by the wayside," will keep the Western Association intact for next

NOTES.Hush Nicol will sign players for the

Western Association and he has numer­ ous players spotted who would strength­ en the teams of the Western orgaiiiza-

Billy Robinson is still very low in MulUuiphy Hospital. His days as a ball player are in the past and if he sur vives it is doubtful if he will be able t( help himself. If any prosperous ball player who hears of Robby's condition will communicate with Oliver Tcbean, Billy Joyce or the writer, and enclose the price of a ticket 75 cents apiece acknowledgment will be made through "Sporting Life."

Messrs. Joyce and Tebeau have al ready sold $>00 worth of tickets. The benefit takes qlace at the Standard ihe atre.

Eddie Von der Ahe is slowly recovering from the accident that has confined him to his bed for eight mouths, though h~ is still uuable tu walk.

Ed. Goodfellow, so long superintend­ ent at Sportsman's Park has resigned,

refused to accept a decrease in pay. JOE C-VMTISELL,.

DIDDLEBOCK^ANSWEBED.

Wilkesbarre's Position Clearly and Unmistakably Set Forth.

Wilkes-Barre. Dec 20. Editor "Sport- ng Life:" "The State League also

wants '\Vilkes-Barre and if the Eastern League is wise it will let this city go and form a compact circuit of eight clubs." The above is taken from an irticle published in the issue of the -!5th instant of "The Philadelphia In- juirer" and is certainly worthy of repe- ition, insomuch as it shows how much he writer of said article is posted on

base ball matters.Has Wilkes-Barre asked to go from

:he Eastern League? Does the writer of the above article know that there was a meeting in Troy on the 13th of the present month?

Does he know that Wilkes-Barre is a member of the Eastern League for the season of 1894? Does he know that he Eastern League cannot let Wilkes- Barre go unless they so desire, and there is no desire on the part of anyone connected with the Wilkes-Barre Club to quit the Eastern League?

The State League may want Wilkes-, Barre but I can safely state that Wilkes-Barre does not want the State League.

On that subject we will say no more.The writer of the article alluded to

also states that, for the simple reason that Toronto and Syracuse have made application, "an appeal will be made to the Board of Arbitration for <n equitable distribution of territory." Pray, by whom is this appeal going to be made?

Why not go further and say that be­ cause Detroit and Buffalo have had some idea of going into the National fjeague they should drop Boston and St. Louis so as to "form n close circuit" und "save money in traveling expenses."

No thanks necessary for the advice lere given; the appeal can be uiado jointly to save trouble.

Further on in that wonderful (?) ar- iiele the statement is made that "what is good enough for Scranton is certainly ijood enough for Wilkes-Barre."

This we do not deny, but is there any law whereby one city must be content with certain things, simply because a sister city is content with them?

Do we not live in an age of advance­ ment?

Scranton has our best wishes if sha wishes to remain in the State League.

No application was received from that city at the meeting of the Eastern League, but should they wish to enter they will have our hearty ec-operation.

I have only one thing more to say. Comment is made in the "Inquirer" article that one man in this city is re­ sponsible for Wilkesbarre being in the Eastern League, and that the club should see that their will is not defeat­ ed this season.

The gentleman referred to is, and al­ ways lias been, an ardent admirer of the national game. It has been mainly due to his work, time and' money during many years that the people have been permitted to see base ball here. He is neither forward nor autocratic in any matter concerning base ball, and is respected by all who know him.

The subscribers of last season, without one dissenting voice, were in favor of the Eastern League. Having been at the meeting I can state this on author­ ity.

In conclusion, I will remark that we have had in the past all we wanted of the State League, and while they may want us, we do not want them. The best is not too good' for us. w. a.

HEY, RUBE!

The Veteran Pitcher Dad Clarka Pictured as a Hayseed.

The New York "Sun" credits a story to John M. Ward calculated to make that experienced pitcher, Dad Clark, ap­ pear delightfully uew and innocent It says:

John M. Ward tells a good story aDout Pitcher Dad Clarke, recently signed by the New York Club. Ward signed Cliirke last Friday, and told him to report at Treas­ urer Talcott's office the next morning for some advance money. Ward says:

"When I reached Mr. Talcott's offleq Sat­ urday morning, about 0 o'clock, there sat Clm'ko in a corner, with his coat collar turned up nnd his eyes fixed on the cfock. I said 'Good morning' to Clarkc, who usually is a most talkative chap, but he merely nodded in a half-scared sort of a way and tlion whispered hoarsely:

" 'How about it?"Mr. liarues then told me that Mr. Tal-

cott would not come to the ottice that day, and said:

" 'I'll write a check for the amount. How much Is it?'

"I told Mr. liarues the amount, and he dashed It off in a minute. In a jiffy he handed the paper to Clarko, who stood perfectly still, looking on in wonderment, while all around him were stock brokers talking about million-dollar deals in sugar and whisky.

" 'How'11 I got the stuff?' asked Clnrke." 'Oh, just write your name on the back

of the chock.' replied Mr. Bnrnes, 'and I'll send a man over to the bank for the money.'

"Clarke scribbled his name, and then let his eyes wander toward the ceiling. In a few moments the messenger came buck, and handed the new pitcher a roll of money. Clarke clutched It, and, push­ ing it away down into his pocket, made a bee Hue for the door, apparently expecting somebody to take the coin away from him before he could leave. All the way down the stairs he mumbled to himself, for he had not expected that the matter would be so quickly settled. When we reached the street, Dad turned to me, nnd ex­ claimed:

" 'He pee, John, this Is the place to live In arter all. Why, up in Osweso, me home, there's lots o' folks as don't get enough to eat!' "

TRY IT ON THE MAGNATES.

Von Der Ahe's Rule a Poor One If It Wouldn't Work Both Ways.

The Philadelphia "Press" also makes merry over Mr. Von der Ahe's umpire scheme as follows:

"Chris Von der Ahe Is a genius. His latest idea is to have the umpires report at a regular hour each night, just like the players. Chris maintains that an um­ pire who whoops it up with the boys In their efforts to subdue the liquor traf- tic cannot be expected to do good work. Hence the proposed restriction. Just to whom the umpire shall report who shall see that he has said his evening prayers and tucked properly under the coverlids is not nominated in the original proposi­ tion. But why not carry the suggestion to a logical sequence and include the managers and owners of the clubs. The moral effect that would follow if the mag­ nates were compelled to report at 10 P. M. for bed and 10 A. M. for practice would be inspiring to the players. The moguls, as a starter, might take n try at it at the schedule meeting of the League in the spring. Mr. You der Ahe might call lights out at 10 o'clock, and a quarter hour later be might, in stockinged feet,move quietly around the heavily-carpeted corridors of the Fifth Avenue to mnke sure that Frank Iloblson and John Brus verc in bed for sure. Then at 10 i the morning all bauds might report in t billiard room to fnclo Nick \oivig. 'llio is a good' deal in this scheme of Mr. V

'der Ahe's to commend It.

Discounting Nicol.Plttsburg has not secured a jewel In

Nicol, the loft-hander engaged from Krle. Ho is only a fair pitcher, but he thinks he is a star,' and is said to be a hard man to Handle. Some days, like all the left-hand­ ers, he is Invincible. Ou other days he is an easy man to defeat. He is the same youngster who was tried by Anson in this cj'v in 18U1. Cleveland "Plalnuealer."