Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1891 — THE NATIONAL GAME. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE NATIONAL GAME.

ENTHUSIASM MARKS THE ADVENT OF THE SEASON. The Ba e-Ball World Fairly Awake—Xo Clashing Leagues Detract Attent on from Business —A. O. Spalding’s Retirement—The American Association’* New Feesideut. • Never in tho history of the national’ game has a more auspicious start been made. On opening days immense crowds greeted tho contesting dubs, and tho athletos of the diamond rewarded tho enthusiastic spectators by putting up games that elicited hoarty applause an« gave excellent sport. Tho race for tho pennant is<on and in the different associations tho very host talent is straining, every nervo. This year no discordant jangle distracts attention from tho sport. Tho. Brotherhood is a thing of tho past, and, with few exceptions, tho strongest piayers are now at srork with their oldtime associates.

A. G. Spalding is no longer tho President of the Chicago Ball Club. At a recent meeting of tho stockholders ho handed in his resignation. The resignation was acceptod and Mr. Spalding sent a letttr to N. E. Young at Washington notifying him of the fact Mr.

Spalding’s retirement from baseball is no surprlso. It was understood everywhere that he would taka th s action,and the proceedings were a formal confirmation of tho statement that ho was about to retire .from a field whero lie has been a conspicuous figure so On the

retirement of Mr. Spalding, James A. Hart was ehoson President of tho club and Fred Andrus Secretary. Andrus is the very ideal of a secretary besides being an athlote, and Mr. Hart is largely equipped with good sense, shrewdness, and business capacity for his now office. While, porhaps, not filling Mr. Spalding s place, he will come as noar It as any base-ball man in America could. Much new timber has been secured by the different managers. In the ranks of tho National and American Associations will be found tho names of many who last year had not attained such eminence. Most of tho old stagers, 11 ko Anson, Flint, Deacon Wlilto, and others, are at their places. Salaries this year are not soaring so high, but tho coltish ones will only have to behave themselves to escape tho lines, In ordor to pull out of tho season with as much money as over. An excellent picture of Louis Kramer, tho new President of tho American Association, is herewith given. Ho is a baso-Dall admirer and patron, and was Vice President of the ojd Cincinnati Club, and a director of tbo.samo in 188 a,

'B4, ’B7, ’BB, and ’9O. His salary as President will bo $3,000, and he will be allowed to charge for a stenographer and travelingexpen l os. His secretary, should ho need ono, will have to bo paid by himself. ! He will do littlo traveling, however, as be accepted tho office on condition that Its duties should not take him away from his business in Cincinnati

A. G. SPALDING.

LOUIS KRAMER.