Bats and Ballparks: A Scheme of Greed Exposed

In the scorching summer of 1890, the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was abuzz with the news of a contentious meeting between the Players National League and its members. The Players League Men, a group of talented baseball players, had been growing increasingly dissatisfied with the schedule, which they believed was not conducive to their success. Director Kerr had opined that without conflicting dates, both teams would be prosperous, but this notion was met with skepticism by the players.

Secretary Scandrett spoke out in favor of the current schedule, claiming that the Pittsburgh Club would draw crowds to the games, regardless of the conflicting dates. However, this argument failed to convince the players, who were adamant that a revised schedule would be beneficial to all parties involved. They pointed out that many fans could only attend games at certain times during the season, and that these times often coincided with the teams’ absences.

The players made a compelling case, stating that if a team were to be at home nearly all the time, there would be a significant increase in attendance. This, in turn, would lead to more revenue for both teams, as fans who could only attend games occasionally would be more inclined to attend twice as often. The players’ argument was built on the idea that fans would attend games featuring either team, as long as the conflicting dates were resolved.

Despite Secretary Scandrett’s claims, the players’ concerns seemed to fall on deaf ears. The meeting, meant to address the schedule, ended with little resolution, leaving the players frustrated and disillusioned with the National League’s handling of the situation.

The outcome of the meeting left many wondering if the National League was more concerned with its own interests than with the well-being of its players and fans. As the season progressed, the controversy surrounding the schedule continued to simmer, a testament to the deep-seated issues plaguing the league.

As the Pittsburgh Dispatch reported, the players’ discontent was palpable, and it remained to be seen whether the National League would take steps to address their concerns. One thing was certain, however: the Players League Men would not be silenced, and they would continue to fight for a fairer schedule that would benefit all parties involved.