The New York herald., 1869-04-04
THE NATIONAL GAME



are rejoiced and extensive preparations are being
made 10 render the coming season one OF the most
brilliant that the fraternity has ever enjoyed The
somewhat chaotic in which the balstic matters
were thrown AT the conclusion fast has been
reduced to comparative order. For the fraternity
there not much need to detail the status OF clubs
and ball matters In general, as Mort Rogers "way
down East TO Boston," has chroRicled them 80 faith
Suy as TO leave little to be done. For the general
pubic however, It may be stated that the National
Association, at its last meeting, drew line which
divides professionals from amateurs. There need be
no more subteriuges resorted to with The idea OF
leading people to believe that players are not pro-
fessonals and do not play ball for pecuniary con-
siderations. No person thinks i'll OF an actor or an
acrobat who receives q regular salary for his per-
formance, and certainly professional ball player
should be as honored and as honorable any other
performer.
The rule adopted at the last meeting OF the asso-
citation by which club mines obliged TO be COM
posed OF persons who have been at least sixty days
In the club viii have salutary effect on the game
and render the movements of "revolvers" not quite
30 easy they have been in the past II is scarcely
necessary, however 10 refer TO the amended rules,
the books of reference, guides and manuals have
all been published and by this time are extensively
circulated and the rules doubt well studied up.
Now that the bright warm sun light may be looked
for more continuously, the frost must soon be en-.
rely thawed out of the sod and the proprietors OF
various enclosed -. ,..-.
GROUNDS AROUND THE CITY
will begin in few days 20 put ON the necessary
touches to place the grounds in good condition and
proper base ball trim. Cammeyer has been utilizing
the lower portion OF the grounds by making veloc
pede track and thus beauttfying the ground at the
same time. AT the Union grounds the Mutuals and
Eckforts viii practise and play their match games
The Capitoline grounds will this year be IN fine con-
dition. The Atiantics having determined to make
fha Gam fy1at cir hott nd will
cause 1t to be visited much more numerously and
frequently The Excelsior, star and Powhatan
from all these there should be produced amusement
enough to bring the admirers of the game thither
IN large numbers. The Carroll Park grounds Will Of
course be extensively patroniZed by embryo cham
pion baltossers. The grounds at Hoboken, 1t Is
hoped will be somewhat better attended to than
they were last season. The old clubs VIII practise
there, but as there has been no intimation OF a
scindng of the silly rule lorbiddng the playing of
matches at the Elysian Fields, the clubs must so
some place else TO do their battling. OF the other
grounds in the neghborhood Of the city there
none so generally known as to require special men
uon. The Park grounds win be reserved for
the public school Juveniles Judging from present
ever this year. During the prevalence OF the equi-
noctial last week crowd OF half grown bailists were
seen coming up Ann street nom Peck's all armed
with new bats, and the delight with which they
clutched the clubs and swung them around trying
10 bat the balls OF rain taey fe evident
this exhibition slight as itmay seem 10 be- the fact
may be adduced that the fever has set IN already
THE AMATEUR CLUBS
have all been stirred up and tnis year win come
out again on llne footing feeling that they now
can elect to dispute the palm OF superiority with
parties OF their own calbre and need not feel any
great chagrin at being defeated by any professionals
whom they might feel disposed TO engage with.
The veteran knlcKerbockers will probably dsport
themselves the Elyslan Fields. AS this club works
along very quietly in lts arrangements IL cannot be
said what they intend TO do. They manage TO keep
up good organization and when they appear on
the field they make themselves heard, especially If
DAVIS be around.
The Empires have been exceedingly dormant dur
ing the winter. An EFFORT was made 70 get up a
meeting but the secretary could not be found nor
could his books be found so that when a few OF
those who took an interest IN the club together
at voorhees, they were obliged TO adjourn TO some
future day. II Is 10 he hoped that future day. is at
hand and that the Empires will at once set about
completing arrangements for the season. John
Kelly viii be in their nine this year and with Wilson
Post Miller, NJ NeSten, Williamson and Jew other
sprghtly young amateurs that intend to make good
stand.
The Actives have almost completed their arrange
ments There was some tax TO the effect that Mar
TIN and Jewett would be the Active nine this year.
Whether tnat point Is settled yet or not cannot be
said. The Acliyes viii play on the amateur basis
entirely and will no doubt worry the aspirants for
that 'whlp" which somebody says will be "up" for
the amateurs.
The Gothams say they viii present o live team
this year This club was dropping very fast and
number OF overgrown boys seemed TO be the power
ful aids TO the club. The OF affairs bad as
20 actually shame the old members into taking an
Interest in the matter, and the result has been that
they have reorganized on iirm basis. Mr. Il. b. Bar
Of officers has been chosen 70 assist him.
The Eagles WILL no doubt, fly as high this year as
swoops. IL s rumored that Norton, their gentle
manly first base player VIII not appear on the field
this season. and that John Goldie Will do the first
base business. Mr.. Golde will be an acquisition TO
any club, either as member or player.
Inc % S,ars nave ss 70 tsSe 's hae
good nine, a. usual, and VIII hli 80 hard as TO make
their opponents see stars Ihe fraternity at large
Iegainng his health. This OF course, does not refer
30 William; he Is always healthy. Thomas, the well
known second base man. was Obliged to visit Cuba
for the benefit OF his health, ana when he comes
back here he will no doubt astonsh his old friends
and cannon balls while they are being exchanged by
the SpanIards and Cubans.
Tue old Powhstan CLUB Is in a sourishing condi-
ton and intends 10 make a stir among the ballists.
Tue ''Pow-wowsn have organized good, strong
nine, and have challenged the Mutual, Atlantic,
other clubs.
The Unions OF Morrisanis. have determined 10
stand on the amateur ground this season. TINS
movement on their par1 ia good one and cannot
fsll TO have good effect on the game In Westcheser
county.
The Eurekas, OF Newark. Will undoubtedly be
among the eadiag amateur organizations. The club
Is wen known as being model. both In tfe style OF
members and mode OF management and can present
nine OF gentemanly players second 10 none In the
country; but they do not depend upon their ne play
for renown. The solid men TO be found IN the
'muffin nlnen and better set cannot be collected
except IN the Empire Club VI this CITY, rhe contests
WAYS features OF the seasons play, and Will no
doubt tend add TO the ustre OF the present year
The Nationals Of Albany, one OF the most solid
Clubs In the state, as veil az the knickerbockers
both composed or gentlemanly young bail players
will frequently be heard from.
The kXcelsors, OF Brooklyn, VIII also maintain
their position IN toe amateur ranks.
The Athlete, OF Washington Heights; Athletic, OF
Brooklyn: Mohawk. OF BROOKLYN: olympic, OF New
YORK, Jefferson Social and the numerous other ANA
teurs VIII each do their share 10 add to the seasons
festivities. OF the principal
PROFESSIONAL C1UBS,
the Mutuals, on account OF their standing, must
come first. There some doubt entertained Tor "A
time ~ 20 where the club would practice. " was
supposed fof time that they wOud go 10 fremont,
hut better sense prevailed and the Union grounds,
with its new Jawbrpakng name. because OF its easy
10 the city, mas been determined The nine
will comprise Walters, Charles Mills tlate OF the
Atlsntlcl George Mills Fany Swandell Hatfield,
Eggler and n. Hunt Mills will fnd himself obliged
90 hop about rather more lively than he did behind
''The Charmer," and n ne can do u the Mutual nine
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