Clipping:Early talk of the Players League; and of Day favoring the Brotherhood; League delaying tactics

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Date Monday, May 27, 1889
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The opinions of the different league club Presidents upon the situation, as published in a New York paper, show the league magnates, with the single exception of John B. Day, to be united in support of the classification rule. Mr. Day, however, seems disposed to mouth matters, a thing he can but ill afford to do at the present time, as he and his lieutenant, James Mutrie, are none too popular with the rest of the league Presidents. Judging from Mr. Day's published views he would be as likely to stick to the players as the league in case of a rupture between the two, and it is almost certain that the first manifestation of any such spirit upon his part would be the signal for the forfeiture of the present New York club's franchise.

In case of a break between clubs and players it might at first seem a good play—and it would certainly betw quite a feather in the cap of the brotherhood—to have the New York club bolt the league and openly cast its fortunes with the players' organization. The end of the fight, however, if a fight there should be, would be apt to find Day, Mutrie & Co. in the soup; as a fight between the league—with its organized circuit, its money, its systematic management, its experience in base-ball legislation, and its long established name—and the brotherhood would presumably bring about the latter's ultimate def3eat or result in a compromise. In either event Mutrie & Co. would be out in the cold.

There will probably be no fight, for the at the November meeting of the league a committee composed of representatives of each brotherhood chapter will be asked to confer with the league and offer some better rule, if they can, than the classification rule for the protection of clubs in the smaller league cities. In other words, the league will endeavor by arbitration, by diplomacy, by amicable discussion, by every peaceable means in its power, to arrange a form of agreement that will be mutually acceptable to clubs and players. Failing in this, however, the league, to use a prominent league magnate's expression, “will throw weak-kneed league members and unreasonable players out of the grounds and continue the game.” Chicago Tribune May 27, 1889

comparing the Polo and the Staten Island grounds

The Polo Grounds made a model base ball field. Located in the heart of the city they were easy of access and were patronized by many thousands of business men who would otherwise have been compelled to remain away from the games. The seating capacity of the place was large, the arrangements for viewing the field were excellent, and all the accommodations necessary to please and attract patrons of the national sport were amply provided.

Now this is greatly changed. A visit to the Staten Island grounds entails a long, though pleasant, journey on water which business men, however much inclined, are not at all at liberty to take. To miss a boat means a monstrous delay of twenty minutes or half an hour, which is quite a consideration when time is precious. Arrived at the grounds, the spectators are well accommodated, but the filed being yet new, the playing must necessarily be inferior to what could be done at the Polo grounds, and they are, therefore, subject to much disappointment.

Staten Island is frequently invaded by hosts of mosquitoes in Summer, which fact is in itself a great drawback to enjoyment, and at this particular season fogs are also apt to hang over the field and obscure players. Storms sometimes interfere with the games, and Staten Island is not a pleasant place when it rains.

These at least are a few objections to the new grounds, gathered by a reporter last week. They originated from the grand stand as well as from the white benches, and were the free expressions of men who would follow a favorite base ball team to Hellsville if fate decreed that they should play nowhere else. They conceded that every thing that could be done to make the place attractive and enjoyable has been done, but nevertheless they condemned it. The Philadelphia Item May 27, 1889

Source Chicago Tribune
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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