The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-30
The CHAMPION Base BALL Cr,ua

TIE CHAMPION BASE BALL CLUB
Ihe pitcher tor the summer Of 1872 has
been practiciDg for several weeks outside
Ut the city limits, aud, though not feel
ing well, can now throw u regulation
ball with such swiftness that it cannot
DO seen unless covered with phosphorus;
and often the friction occasioned by its
passage through tue air causes u heut &c,
grcnt as to burn the ball to ashes before
1t renchcs the catcher, who only fnds q
mass OF cindcr in bis hand. The assist.
ant, or reserve pitcher, has been prac-
ticiDg but " few weeks. but he Gun throw
" ball through eighteen inches Of oak
pink now; and. if he keeps ou, the man
un deck will be compelled to encase his
stomach with mopltor turret aud other
'rmor, or suffer thn consequences.
The catcher hus been for three weeks
past engaged III breaking up pig iron at
the Newburgh rolling mills, and to still
further toughen his hands, ho allows the
bIg twenty-ton trip hammer TO drop OH
tiiem two hours each day; they are
about tho size Of windmill, aud if a
ball gets by him, it will be by traversi pr
tho atmosphere Of IN adjoining County.
Tbs reader can gamble OH this.
Tho first baseman is trying the diet
System to stcady his nerves, uud cun let
u Government mule kick him with both
feet nIl day il the nbGomon without
winking. lie will never move his foot
from snnd-bug unless in the line of his
duty, and runner for the tirst base muy
light on him like night hawk on a
JUie-bug without making him swerve q
hair.
The second baseman has developed
h,msolf more especially for miscellaneous
aud active service. He can stund on hie
head, catch IL ball with his feet, revers.
his position, and kusck grasshopper
OH IRON mullen stulk ut eighty rods,
nlne tunes out of ten. There will be no
use III runner trying to dodge him, for
de has globe sights OH his nose, and can
plumb man III the hull or rigging, lust
us lie chooses.
The short stop is probably tho best
Dan Tor this position thut cun be found
this side OF the Suez Canal. He is shor,
himself, and has lived ON pio.crust all
wiuter; can turn thirteen sulnersnultp
without splitting on his hands, aud
catches II ball with equal fuc;llty IN either
hand or his tceth
Tho third basemnn has been making
saur kraut and riding a velocipede ali
winter to develop the muscles of his
lower limbs. which are immense, and
give him the appearance of being trou
blctl elephantiusis. But don't fool your.
self; lie can run down u giruns in three
mi lutes. and Gun but ball so far that
lis opponents never think of chasing
them the samo duy they ars hit. but pro
ceetl with new ball.
The three feIders have been frislsinq
about in the country all winter, and
drinking anRle-worn oil to give supple
ness to their limbs. They 20 on all
fours faster than many professionals can
ran, and ure 30 timber that circus men
die of like sheep after geoing them per-
form once.
In fact, wo may we'll be proud of our
CLUB for the present year, and il there, is
All organization in the country tn It
thinks it can compete with them, let
them draw on us nt six months sight
through the United States Treasury Dc.
partmeut, Tor sooner, if they get sight
Ut u.s. statlng how mnny dollars wortl,
Of confidence they feel in their fnvorite
club.
We do not forget our club manager,
who III all that ~ father could be to tie
boys, and who does mnoh moro than hiy
name would Indicate. to nuke the season
md its matches successful. The scorer
for the present year has been selected as
tho champion whittier of the State. He
has purchased Il brand now jack knife,
1000 shingles. and will keep his notchee
on tho double entry plan. that is. one
entry for the other side, aud two cuts
for his own.-Clsrelonu Leader.
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