The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-02
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1866.
The Dissipation of Baseball.

Inc DlsS1pauOn oil baseball.
YESTERDAY the baseball fever eliminated
in a scene disgraceful TO Philadelphia. The
much-talkedof game between the Athletics
and Atlantics was prevented by the ignorant
conduct of the vast crowd assembled to wit
ness the sport. We do not overestimate when
we say there were 10000 people present, and
Of these 10000 large proportion lacked COM
mon sense. In their eager desire to secure
advantageous positions, they sacrificed all
propriety, and, overreaching themselves, pre-
vented the game which they had all come
miles to see. 1t IS a matter Of extremely
slight Importance whether the game in ques-
ton occurs or not, but an instructive lesson
can be drawn from the conduct OF those pre-
sent on the occasion. We stated yesterday
that the admiration felt for baseball, as for
all physical sports, was a natural one; that
it should be popular is proper. But at the
same time we warned all lovers of the game
that the excess to which it was being carried
would prove its ruin.
Yesterday was a fair sample Of the ultimate
result. The rush to see the contest was so
great that the contest itself was prevented
So it will be with the VIII ole system, unless
something like moderation is instilled into its
deyotees. The business men of our city are
getting disgusted; and although they may
like to see the young men indulge in the
game once or twice week, the present dis
sipation will not be tolerated much longer.
But even if they were willing, the excite
ment is now at such fever heat that it will
degrade the sport to level with horse-races
and prize-riDgs. We know that there are
hundreds OF respectable people who attend
these matches, but there are hundreds of
gamblers, pickpockets, and other scoundrels,
who are present also; and the latter class will
soon drive the former from the field.
Yesterday we witnessed betting freely and
openly performed inside the field, and in the
presence of a crowd OF witnesses, notwith-
standing the rules of the Athletics. Such in.
fringements of the law and such exhibitions
of immortality are calculated to drive all
honorable admirers of the game to their homes
in disgust. 1t is a duty which the clubs owe
to themselves, to save their amusement from
becoming disreputabe.
This great congregation OF people drew
together a vast number of liquor booths
rum shops, and lager beer dealers. They
surrounded the outskirts of the crowd, and
made the game tend to promote intemperance.
The whole thing is "being run into the
ground" The rowdyism exhibited was
enough to drive all respectable people for
ever off the field. The betting engaged in
resembled more the scenes at the old Suffolk
Park Races than a respectable game of base
ball. The drinking done was calculated to
alarm all lovers of morality, and unless a
total revolution is effected, the game of base
ball will be ranked with the vices, and all
little boys who engage in it will, like those of
the novel, who watched horse races, be con-
sidered the synonym of fast young men, and
parents will frown down that which will only
degenerate.
We like the game of baseball. We think
it calculated to strengthen the muscles, in
vigorate the system, and counteract the
evils of the sedentary life lead by so
many of our young men. But at the same
time it would be better to have no game than
what we fear it will become. Let the nui-
sance be abated, for nuisance it has become.
Let us have it in moderation; for as long as
the fever does not cool, the whole sport will
be ruined, and baseball and cricket rank
among the things that were.