The New York herald., 1874-11-01
THE NATIONAL GAME.
Review of the Play and the Play.
ers of the Past Season.
Positions Of the Various Clubs for tho Cham,
pionship Race-The Bostcns Ahsad-where
the Hutuals Are and Where They
Could Have Been-The Amateurs

The base ball season. 80 far as The professionals
ars concerned, closed yesterday, October 81. In
no important particular does 1t differ from It's i've
or six predecessors. An average number OF fine
games were contested, an average number poorly
played and quite as many as usual 'Txed,n or sold
out The attendance Of spectators was, II any
thing, better than the previous season and as a
consequence the financial condition OF the various
clubs Is 1rst class. when the season opened there
were eight clubs contesting for the whip pennant,
but as was generally anticipated, the NUMBER
was lessened by one, the famed Baltimore Mos
qultoes failing TO mold out against the stronger
clubs and a depleted treasury. AS consequence
all the games played BY these men are thrown out
OF the final count
SOME OF THE BEST MEN.
With the exception OF the Mosquitoes. each
OF the professional clubs entered the arena with
very strong teams. The Mutuals were without
doubt stronger than any OF their rivals. and could
had they so desired, have come out OF the seasons
contests far ahead Of all Others for III every point
and particular they were as strong as they could
possibly be made. Matthews, their pitcher, stands
to-day without rival in the point OF skill In tho
essential particular OF deceivng q batsman;
Allison ana Hgham are both first class catchers;
Start is the prince OF hrst basemen; Nelson is as
good as any AZ second base; Burdock excels even
u
stop; Hatfield never had superior in the
left field, and Remsen at centre ranks with such
men as Egger and George Hall. Then, too, these
men. without an exception, are strong batters.
While they are expert In the field and al the bat,
they yet lacked two very necessary qualifications
to insure success-harmOny in their play and q
desireto win every game they took part In. The
same things are charged against the Philadelphia
club, and one Observation-Disclosures expelled about
month since for being interested In selling a
game in Chicago. Whatever the public opinion may
be in regard to Radcliffe, there can be no doubt
that he was expelled from the club
on insufficient ana decidedly unreliable
evidence. His only accuser was one "Bllly'
MCLEAN, q notorious prize fighter, and is Is
charged that he was actuated by personal enmlty.
The question will be brought before the Judiciary
Committee at their frst meeting, when an erort
will be made to have Radcliffe reinstated, ana
there is but little doubt Of the success OF the
movement. When the managers OF professional
clubs awaken to the fact tnat very little is made
by employing such man as MCLEAN to umpire
their games they Will probably the services
OF some one else.
1t will be remembered that
THE BOSTON AND ATHLETIC CLUBS
made trip TO England In August last for the
double purpose OF showing the Brttons how to
play our national game and to make any quantity
OF money. 1t is very doubtful. however, II they
succeeded In either OF their objects. for, in the
first place, the people would not 60 to see the
games, and IN the second place the clubs came
home brimful or disgust and impecuniosity. In
consequence OF these things the general impress
sion seems to prevail that notmore than half a
dozen clubs will 60 to Europe next season. The
Britsher does not take stock to any great ex-
tent in base bali. He says 1t is but the
old game OF rounaers, played in England
centuries ago, and cannot compare at ali 1avora-
bly, with cricket Upon one occasion, when tue
Boston and Athletic clubs were playing, while on
their trip. there were but three spectators pres
ent when the game began, and toward the close
OF the sixth inning three others entered the field
but left before the game was played through In
Ireland the boys had good time, however. the
people turning out In goodly NUMBERS to witness
the games, and seeming to take o lively interest
In them.
THB CHAMPIONSHIP RACE.
The following table gives the position or the sew
eral clubs In the championship race:-