Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-13
BASE BALL PLAYING.

ment.
--%eest---
BASE BALL PLAYING.
The base ball mania seems rather TO be
on the increase than the decline. 1t is
good game, and while we advise young men
to "go in on it," we suggest that they read
the story of man who was an admirer of
base ball.
Look at that brace of hands, once soft
and pretty, now suffused with the Egyptian
bushes. Look into those optics and tell US
tales of sympathy. And look on that Mount
Tom on our right cheek-bone. Base ball |
That is the row.
II came about thus. Secondary deploy-
ment is too shirksome on the system. The
doctor said we needed exercise. Doctor
knows. He told us to join base ball; we
joined. Bought book of instruction, and
for five days studied it wisely if not too well.
Then we bought sugar-scoop hat, red
belt, a green shirt, yellow trousers, pump
kin-colored shoes, paper collar and pur-
pie neck-tie, and with lot of other dele
gates moved gently to the ground.
There were two mines. These mines were
antagonists. The ball Is a. pretty little drop
of soitness, the size of goose-egg, and five
degrees harder than rock. The two mines
play against each other. 1t is quiet game
much like chess, only q little more chase
than chess.
There was an umpire. His position is
hard one. He sits on a box and yells
"iowl." His position is hard one.
took the bat. II is murderous play
thing, descended from Pocahontas to the
head of John Smith. The man in front of
me was pitcher. He was nice pitcher.
but he cent the balls hot The man behind
me was catcher. He caught it, tool
Umpire said "play." 1t is the most radi-
cal party know of, this base ball. Saving
cord.wood is moonlight rambles beside base
ball So the pitcher sent ball towards me.
1t looked pretty coming, 80 I let it come.
Then he sent another. / hit it with the
club and hove it gently upward. Then
started to walk To the first base. The. ball
lit in the pitcher or in his hands, and some
1 walked leisurely towards the base. Another
man took the bat I turned to see how hi
was making it, and mule kicked me on th'
cheek. The man said II was the ball. 1
cit like mule, and reposed on the grass
The ball went on.
Pretty soon there were two more flies, AM
three Of us flew out Then the other min
came in, and us nine went out. This wa
better. Just as was standing on my digni
, ty in the left field, hot ball, as they calle
it, came skyrocketing toward me. My CAP
, tam yelled, "take itr'
hastened gently forward to where tn
ball was aiming 10 descend. I have goo
; eve to measure distances, and saw at glanc
where the little erolite was to light. l pl
up my hands. How sweetly the ball de
= cended. Everybody looked-I felt SOM
:, thing warm in my eye. "Mufinp' yelle
ninety fellows eMufin be ID It's
cannon ball. For three days I've had tw
A pounds of raw beef on that eye, and yet
"a paineth.
~ Then wanted to go home, but my gent
~ !. captain SAID '.nay.'t So ! mayed and stage
" y Pretty soon it was my strike: "To bat
- yelled the umpire. went, but not all I
" rene, as was my wont. The pitcher sent
- one hip high. It struck me in the guilt
4 'Fowlr" yelled the umpire. He sent in &
:, ball again. This time took il square al
a sent down the right field, through parl
~ ~ window-a kerosene lamp, and rip up agair
10 the head of an infant, who WAS quietly TAXI
;,s its nap in his or its mothers arms. Th
ia / slung the bat and meandered forth to t
!, first base. heard high words and locke
=. When / slung the bat l had with 1t brok
~ the law of the umpire, and was fined I
~ cents. The game went on. ! liked 1t.
'u' ia so much fun to run from base TO base j
ar in time to be put out, or 10 chase ball thti
nd fourths of mile down hill, while all I
Ia. snectators veil '!mufnnIl Ego itpN ''hol
- gtretchp Ego round sgainln or ''go rou
an dozen limeslh Base ball is sweet gan
ms When It came my turn to bat again, L motto
ed. everybody move back again about ten rot
~. The new umpire retreated about twelve ro
ne He was timid. The pitcher sent 'em In b
lne Hot balls in time of war are good. Bu
the don't like them too hot for fun. After awh
got fair clip at it, and you BET ~ We
oh cutting the DAISIES down the right field.
MIn M fast man and his dog sat in the shade of
old oak enjoying the game. The ball brt
ons one leg of the dog and landed like ru
emf way engine in the corporosity OF the fat mi
The He was taken home TO die.
'no Then went on a double quick to
ays field, and tried to stop hot ball. 1t ca
too toward me from the bat at the rate OF
1 of miles . minute l put up my hands
In. ball went sweetly singing on its way "
IN ali The skins from my palms with it. NJ
Hhi raw beef. -.
itu- That was an eYentful chap who nrst
cess vented base ball, It's such fun.