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 game in which these players participated would be determined on its merits. The occasional throwing of games was practiced by some, and no punishment meted out to the offenders. Years before, one Wansley, convicted of selling a game between the Eckfords and Mutuals, had been reinstated "in good standing." Liquor selling, either on the grounds or in close proximity thereto, was so general as to make scenes of drunkenness and riot of every day occurrence, not only among spectators, but now and then in the ranks of the players themselves. Many games had fist fights, and almost every team had its "lushers." The effect of this condition was exactly what might have been expected. A game characterized by such scenes, whose spectators consisted for the most part of gamblers, rowdies, and their natural associates, could not possibly attract honest men or decent women to its exhibitions. Consequently, the attendance fell away to such a degree that the season of 1875 closed with bankruptcy facing every professional club in the country.

It was at this time in the fortunes of the American game that Mr. Henry Chadwick, with true prophetic vision, drew the following pen picture of existing conditions in the official publication of 1873, which he was then editing:

"When the system of professional ball playing as practiced in 1872 shall be among the things that were, on its tombstone—if it have any—will be found the inscription, 'Died of Pool-Selling.' When professional playing was first inaugurated, the first obstacle presented in its slow progress to a reputable popularity was 'revolving' (a term used to designate contract jumping). This evil, however, soon disappeared when the system was governed by official authority emanating from a regular organization of professional clubs. In its place, however, an evil of far greater magnitude has sprung up, and