OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

legendsport · 03-17-2006, 08:04 AM

from the personal diary of Calvin Griffith:

November 7, 1902:

Had a meeting with that old snake Spalding today in Chicago. The first thing I pointed out is that I had to get back to Mizzou first thing so that I can make sure to get my vote in.

Spalding claimed that he wanted to talk about mutual cooperation in growing the game in the Latin Americas. I pointed out that since the Confederacy was the governing nation in most of the area, it would probably not accept Northern "help" in educating the natives. His reply, which caught me off guard, was that despite our governments' differences, we're all in the business of baseball and that it would behoove everyone to co-exist and support one another.

I think I covered my surprise - having fully expected that he would claim some right to baseball on the islands as his touring team opened the area to baseball - but responded that, honestly, the Confederacy owns those islands and we will be the ones to administer them - both civilly and culturally, including sporting activities.

"Fine," he said and produced a baseball from his desk. "Look at this," he said, "this is a new ball, with an improved cork core that Al Reach is coming out with." I took the ball, which seemed very much an ordinary, hard, baseball. "Give it a bounce," said Spalding, so I did and found, to my surprise, that it bounced much livelier than any baseball I'd seen before.

"Calls it a rabbit ball," said Spalding. "Could revolutionize the game. I've recommended we sit on it. The fans are accustomed to the usual ebb and flow. I don't know how they'd take to a game played with a ball with this much life in it."

I agreed with him and said that the balls used by my teams, produced in the CSA, were similar in construction to the Spalding balls produced in the USA.

"I see no reason to change, either." I told him.

He asked one last time if I'd reconsider allowing the USA's baseball players tour the islands. I told him that it was doubtful that would be permitted by the government and wished him a good day.

03-17-2006, 08:04 AM	#68
legendsport Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Behind The Lens Posts: 2,905	Griffith & Spalding Take A Meeting from the personal diary of Calvin Griffith: November 7, 1902: Had a meeting with that old snake Spalding today in Chicago. The first thing I pointed out is that I had to get back to Mizzou first thing so that I can make sure to get my vote in. Spalding claimed that he wanted to talk about mutual cooperation in growing the game in the Latin Americas. I pointed out that since the Confederacy was the governing nation in most of the area, it would probably not accept Northern "help" in educating the natives. His reply, which caught me off guard, was that despite our governments' differences, we're all in the business of baseball and that it would behoove everyone to co-exist and support one another. I think I covered my surprise - having fully expected that he would claim some right to baseball on the islands as his touring team opened the area to baseball - but responded that, honestly, the Confederacy owns those islands and we will be the ones to administer them - both civilly and culturally, including sporting activities. "Fine," he said and produced a baseball from his desk. "Look at this," he said, "this is a new ball, with an improved cork core that Al Reach is coming out with." I took the ball, which seemed very much an ordinary, hard, baseball. "Give it a bounce," said Spalding, so I did and found, to my surprise, that it bounced much livelier than any baseball I'd seen before. "Calls it a rabbit ball," said Spalding. "Could revolutionize the game. I've recommended we sit on it. The fans are accustomed to the usual ebb and flow. I don't know how they'd take to a game played with a ball with this much life in it." I agreed with him and said that the balls used by my teams, produced in the CSA, were similar in construction to the Spalding balls produced in the USA. "I see no reason to change, either." I told him. He asked one last time if I'd reconsider allowing the USA's baseball players tour the islands. I told him that it was doubtful that would be permitted by the government and wished him a good day. __________________ Hexed & Countered on YouTube Figment League - A fictional history of baseball - Want to join in the fun? Shoot me a PM! Read the story of the Barrell Family - A Figment Baseball tale The Figment Sports Universe - More Fake Sports Than You Can Shake a Stick At!