Prologue

[ifspuds]

Thanks for that, Seth... I'd been wondering what the alignment was.

[seth70liz76]

Per request at FOFC

Boston Unions			Baltimore Clippers
Brooklyn Atlantics		Buffalo Hornblowers/Buglers
Buffalo Eires			Chicago Southsiders
Chicago Browns/Westies		Cincinnati Kings/Columbias
Cincinnati Kings/Empires	Louisville Colonels/Keels
Columbus Senators		Manhattan Gents
Detroit Fleur de Lis		Providence Rhodies/Reds
Indianapolis Indys  		Saint Louis Cobblers/Hops
New York Empires
Philadelphia Quakers/Crimsons

With nicknames not formalized until the early part of the 20th century, teams sometimes were known by more than one name, and the origins were sometimes of the most humble of reasons. In fact, many players, officials and newsmen referred to the clubs using just the city with the plural "s". The emergence of the Columbia Association gave rise to a need for greater distinction among the clubs.

The Boston and Brooklyn clubs grew out of gentlemen's clubs out of the 1850's and 60's. Boston took their name from the "Union of the Sons of Kearney" and Brooklyn from the "Atlantic Athletic Club."

The Chicago Browns and Detroit Fleur de Lis so referred to by distinctive uniform details. The Chicagos noted for heavy brown piping and stockings, the Detroits for the distinctive symbol over the breast, celebrating the owner's French heritage. Although with the Chicagos, they were also referred to by location during this period of two teams.

The CA's Buffalo entry was owned by Winfred Siemens who owned the Buffalo Bugle newspaper, and the nicknames attached reflected this.

Saint Louis's team names reflected the two main industries of the city.

During Frank Richardson's time in Philadelphia, the newspapers starter referring more to the color of the trim and caps of the club, rather than the peaceful intonations of "Quakers," as the style of play championed by Richardson was seldom peaceful on the opposition.

Both Cincinnati clubs lay claim to the heritage of the touring Base Ball Kings of 1869. Referring to the city and league (as with the New York Empire League entry) was a way of distinguishing the two.

[Mucho Macho]

wow....there are so many good dynasties on this board. I want to start one, but maybe i should get used to the game first.

good stuff, man

[goroyals]

Hey Seth, cool chart on the nicknames. Fine reading as always. Would you care to explain the name "Keels" to me. Is it ship related?

Also, as a member crank in the Louisville rooters gang (fan club), I would like to suggest the name Raiders to our fair magnate. I think it embodies the spirit of play our new club should embrace on the base paths, and it also describes the action we must take against the EL rosters.

[seth70liz76]

Originally Posted by goroyals

Hey Seth, cool chart on the nicknames. Fine reading as always. Would you care to explain the name "Keels" to me. Is it ship related?

Also, as a member crank in the Louisville rooters gang (fan club), I would like to suggest the name Raiders to our fair magnate. I think it embodies the spirit of play our new club should embrace on the base paths, and it also describes the action we must take against the EL rosters.

Keels is a tribute to one of America's forgotten folk heros: Mike Fink. He piloted Keel Boats (flat bottom) up the Ohio River and eventually went west. A real person who the story of his life has been embelished greatly, like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone.

Raiders would be a great fit--but only if Louisville can get some EL players to jump contract. After all, that is how we ended up with "Pirates".

[goroyals]

Originally Posted by seth70liz76

Keels is a tribute to one of America's forgotten folk heros: Mike Fink. He piloted Keel Boats (flat bottom) up the Ohio River and eventually went west. A real person who the story of his life has been embelished greatly, like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone.

You learn something new everyday.

[Kavalkade]

Is it just me or do you enjoy reading the offseason stuff more than the actual baseball stuff? The constant bickering between Temple and McCormick and the war between the leagues is what keeps my attention more than anything.


Regardless, good stuff Seth!

[seth70liz76]

From hand bills posted around Cincinnati
Proclamation by Royal Council, the Base Ball King Boosters

WHEREAS, Max Von Schreiber, has chosen to move our Base Ball Kings to the Columbia Association;

WHEREAS, AJ Helmuth, has taken it upon himself to restore the glory to Cincinnati Base Ball in the Empire League;

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the traditions of the Cincinnati Base Ball Kings are better represented by the Empire League club and not Max Von Schreiber.

AND FURTHER, that the true fan of the GRAND AMERICAN GAME will continue to attend games at the Avenue Grounds, and cheer the True Base Ball Kings to glory.

[seth70liz76]

From the Chicago Eagle
President McCormick has sent an invitation to Presidents and Commissioners of all League “East of the Rockies” to join him at the opening day festivities for Chicago. But this meeting is not to be all pomp and circumstance, McCormick, shrewd business man he is, has a purpose to the play.

These local associations have been the starting point for many players now hailed as ‘stars’ in the Empire League. While the practice has been for Empire League clubs to sign a player with little consideration for the impact it may have on his current team; McCormick seeks to change this. President McCormick proposes two major changes between the relationship between these leagues and the Empire.

First, the Empire would respect the contracts of these lesser leagues; no longer being able to swoop in and seize the best players as so much plunder. In return, the locals would recognize and uphold any suspension and expulsions levied by the Empire. The disgraced Zoellener and Bronneke from the Brooklyn squad of two years ago continued to play in two of these regional leagues. If this agreement had been in place, they would have been forced to find employment more suited to their criminal temperament. Such a stance would help cleanse the game from the riff-raff with whom the Empire has been too commonly associated.

More ambitious is the proposal to have set prices for what players at these lower leagues can be purchased. “The steady influx of new talent is imperative if the Empire is to remain the premier organization for base ball in this county,” McCormick related to us. “Rather than have our clubs get bogged down in negotiations for each and every player under contract, I would rather assure the regional top price for their top talent.”

It is the hope of Empire League officials an arrangement of this nature will keep the rival Columbia Association from being able to adequately stock their rosters.
--------
Of the 22 leagues contacted, 12 accepted the invitation of McCormick to opening day. When only two expressed interest in the proposed arrangement, McCormick did not pursue the proposal further. Many of the leagues felt with the Columbia Association around, they could force a bidding war for their top talent, and refused to lock themselves into an agreement that would seem to benefit the Empire more.

[seth70liz76]

Excerpt from “The History of Professional Base Ball” (1941)
When the Columbia Association was formed in 1879, it began what old timers refer to as “the first base ball war.” The fan of the time would have thought it to be a short war, as the CA was beset with problems.

Saint Louis and Louisville were in full revolt early on, chaffing under the edict banning alcohol sales at the games. “If the St. Louisan can not have his bucket of beer, he has no reason to go a game,” owner Johan Hansferd pleaded with Temple’s hand picked commission. When the commission upheld the ban, they sold beer and whisky anyway. When the commission fined Hansferd (and Louisville and Cincinnati) the clubs refused to pay. Hansferd threaten to either form another league or join the Empire, the commission revoked the fines; a move that allowed the remainder of the owners to violate the league charter any way they saw fit.

The three men, all prominent members of the New York sporting community and personal friends of William Temple, did not carry much respect with the other owners. Clubs cut admission, paid players beyond the set salary, and generally carried on business in a manner befitting the pre-Empire association days. By mid-season, all but one of the commissioners had resigned his position.

The lack of authority further plunged the CA into chaos. Teams withheld visitor shares and openly attempted to woo players from other CA clubs to jump contract. Temple, who even in the collapse of order continued to obey the league charter, realized in his zeal to topple the Empire he had made serious lapses in the quality of owner allowed to join.

Making matter worse talent the CA did lure from the Empire were those with a taint of gambling. Rumors of fixed games ran rampant, and the various clubs showed no interest in cleaning up the game as McCormick’s owners had. To the disgust of the genteel William Temple, the CA was a worse situation than he had experienced in the Empire. And it was all on his head.

The Empire, under the firm hand of James McCormick, kept their owners in line. In three of the four cities the leagues were directly competing, a friendly press further underminded the CA’s efforts to build a league. It appeared the Empire would vanquish it’s first rival in less than a season, but fate had other plans.

[seth70liz76]

From the Chicago Eagle
JAMES MCCORMICK DEAD
Stockyard Baron, Base Ball Official Dies in Sleep
Family Holdings Near Millions
James McCormick, eldest son of one of Chicago’s first nationally known families, passed away in his sleep it was reveled. McCormick, who parlayed his family’s holdings in real estate into control of the southside stockyards and hog rendering facilities was not suspected to be in ill health.

McCormick, who was known for his involvement with the Empire Base Ball League, had been acclaimed nationally for his crusade to make the sport honest. Under his direction, gamblers and their hires had been chased from league grounds.

He is survived by his wife, Felicity, their six children and four brothers.

[goroyals]

Good twist Seth. I have to be honest, I expected McCormick's death would play a role, but I didn't expect it so soon.

[Vris]

Dun dun dun!!

[Dark Horse]

WOW! i never saw that one coming. One of the major networks should hire you. You know how to throw in a cliff hanger.

[seth70liz76]

Alot of things going on right now--Grizzlies games and the wife is selling her business--but most importantly, the next post is proving more difficult to write than my outline lead me to believe. Not ringing true yet.

[seth70liz76]

Empire League Owners’ Meeting
“But as his brother I have every right to succeed him,” the decorum and tact of the funeral had now been replaced with much shouting and banging on the table.

“Please, the only contribution you have made to this League is second every motion proposed by your brother. Besides, we need continuity in Chicago to put that club on the south side out of business.”

“Mr. Hamilton, are you sure you will not take the position.”

“What, so we can go through this again in six months,” snorted Bertrham Farley of Buffalo.

“You sir are a cur of the worst kind,” Adams rose from his chair, grasping Thaddeus’s cane. “I shall teach you some manners.”

“And I shall teach you your place,” spat Farley. It became harder and harder to hear over the din. Hamilton raised his hands and demanded silence. He grudgingly was granted it.

“It seems those we would trust with the position of President among us have reasons not to take it.”

“What about Helmuth? I know Cincinnati is a battleground, but the fans are flocking to his club and not Von Schriber’s it should not be that hard to hold serve there,” Hartpence of Boston suggested.

The eyes of the room turned towards the aged man who begun the craze for professional ball. “Well Helmuth, what about it?”

“Well,” the old man stammered, “would I be allowed to keep the deal I had with McCormick?”

“What deal you had with McCormick,” Farley slowly asked.

“The only way I could afford to field a club was if he paid my expenses the first year, and so . . .”

Jasper Hallowell of Columbus leapt to his feet, “Why was I not offered that deal? I am losing money hand over fist and we give paper away to this doddering fool?”

“And I too could use the subsidies,” shouted Mike Mongan of Indianapolis. “Who decided this bull----?”

“Now we could not lose Cincinnati,” Hartpence began.

“But you can lose Columbus? Is that what I am hearing?”

“No, he didn’t mean that at all.”

”Why should we take interest in a league that cares not for us,” Mongan asked feverishly.

Hamilton slammed his cane on the table for attention. Uneasy quiet returned.
“Cincinnati is the home of a traitor. We needed to teach a lesson to Von Schriber. Unfortunately, you do not have someone taking our business away in your cities. Farley is struggling with the Association club in his town, but has the income to fight without any help. As does McCormick, or Mr. Hyde of New York. Helmuth has the respect of the city of Cincinnati and if it took some silver to get him in place, then so be it.”

“I still do not like the arrangement,” Mongan said.

“Nor I,” seconded Hallowell.

“May I suggest something,” Hubert Crawley of Detroit meekly offered.

“Please do.”

“What about Temple?”

”What about him?”

“Why not him as President?” The room erupted into laughter. “But he is unhappy with the Association, and having him would surely end their hold on New York.”

“I think he is on the right track, but the wrong person,” Hyde of New York said excitedly.

“Two of his commissioners have resigned; we could pinch one of them. Temple brags about the ideal of the Association; it would play very well to have one of them on our side.”

“You may be on to something, yes,” Obie McCormick stroked his beard approvingly.

“By God, this could be a masterstroke—Adams, send wires to the two gentlemen who resigned from Temple’s commission, one of them should take the job.”

“Since they will be in New York, I suggest Hamilton, Hartpence, Hyde and I conduct the interviews and be given authority to hire the proper man,” Franklin suggested.

“Bah, more Eastern influence, just what we need,” Hallowell hissed.

[Dark Horse]

Yet another twist.

[seth70liz76]

Letter from Jasper Hallowell to William Temple
Mr. Temple,

After careful consideration of your offer to join the Columbia Association, both I and Mr. Mongan of Indianapolis will accept. We will keep our decision silent until the beginning of the next championship season. Until then, we shall continue to keep you informed of events in the League meetings.

The search for a President is becoming farcical, as no candidate can be agreed upon. Those involved in the sport outside the two associations wish to remain neutral and no internal nominee have any support from the required five.

Even more positive, the situations in Buffalo and Cincinnati seem to be turning in the Association’s favor. Helmuth is eager to step aside as the cost of continuing with his own monies looks to be prohibitive. And the lowered costs of operation favors Winfred Siemens over the long-term—encourage him to keep the park open at all cost.

I look forward to the next summer, when we can rid our sport of the plague of the Empire.

Respectfully,
Jasper Hallowell

[cknox0723]

this thread deserves way more exposure. seeing as i do not work in media, the best i can do is bump it back to the top. i may not be commenting much but i am still reading and enjoying, seth. i don't say much simply because i've never read anything quite like this. i can't say that enough.

anyway, back to your regularly scheduled prologue.

[Vris]

Good bump. Been meaning to do the same thing myself.