Base Ball Controversy: Paid To Play
June 30, 1860
It has been discovered that at least two players on the Excelsior Club of Brooklyn in base ball are being paid to play. The two players in question are pitcher Jim Creighton & out fielder George Flanly. Sources inside the club have confirmed a timeline where the players were offered a salary to make the jump away from the Star Club.
On September 4, 1859 the Stars defeated Excelsior by the score of 17-13. The victory was achieved primarily due to the unique pitching style of Jim Creighton. It was after that game that the Excelsiors first approached Creighton & Flanly about joining. They refused the initial offer.
On September 19, 1859 the Star club defeated the Hoboken club 38-4. After that dominant performance, leaders of the Excelsiors approached Creighton & Flanly again. This time with an offer that would provide them a salary to play with the Excelsior club. The two men accepted the offer and made the jump in 1860.
The National Association of Base Ball Players currently oversees the amateur game of baseball. The most recent convention of the NABBP was on March 14, & at that convention the Excelsiors’ own President, Dr. Jones was elected President of the Association. When asked about the report on his club, Dr. Jones refused to comment.
We contacted First Vice– President of the most recent incarnation of the NABBP Mr. Thos. S. Dakin of the Putnam Club. On the subject of the Excelsiors’ indiscretions he said, “We will look into the matter. It will be taken seriously.” On how it would be dealt with he added, “Most likely we will try to organize a mid-year convention to address the matter. We need some time to organize a response”