The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-01
THE NATIONAL GAME.
A CLOSE AND EXCITING CONTEST BETWEEN THE
MUTUAL AND cENTENNIAL cLUBs-THE NEW
YoRKFRs VICTORIOUS.

CLOSE AND EXCITING CONTEST BETWEEN THE
MUTUAL AND CENTENNIAL cLUBs-THE NEW
YoRKERs VICTORIOUS.
The hrst game Tor the Championship which has
taken place this season upon the Onion grounds
was played yesterday afternoon between the MI.
tuals, OF this city, and the Centennial Club, fof
Philadelphia. owing to the fact hat the Cenien-
NAL Club is composed principally OF amateur base
ball players, and as Jet has not been afforded any
very favorable opportunity TO gain credit and
distinction as knights OF the Ball and Bat
having been but recently organized. there
was very little interest exhibited In base bali
circles regarding the result OF the game, the
"knoving ones giving Il as their opinion that the
Philadelphia players would be severely worsted
when brought face to face with the veteran Mutuals
The small attendance OF spectators yesterday is
attributable 10 TINS single TACT. When the ga me
was called at ndlf-past three z. NJ. ODDS ol IS TO
we're freely offered on the Mutuais, but no one
seemed disposed to invest in Centennial stock
even with such great odds IN their favor. Every
one Of those present appeared TO be inclined TO
the belief that the contest would prove more OF
practice game than anything else. For once,
however, the knowing ones found themselves dis
appointed, and although the Centennals finally
lost the game By single run they proved, "a
general thing, such able batsmen, ana displayed
50 much knowledge OF nsld duties, as to command
the paudits aud admiration OF the spectators,
VINO, before the game had ended became intensely
excited. At one time It seemed as Il the aiutuals
instead Of coming out victors. were destined to
sufier an ignominlous defeat The ground. owing
20 the dampness caused by the heavy rain OF
Thursday evening, was not in proper condition 10
play base ball, and the players in endeavorIng ~
make their runs occasionally fell 70 the ground
Inc toss was won BY the Centennlals, sending
the Mutuals to the bat. Stark led on for the Mu-
iuals and opened the game by sending
a "groundel" TO tue right OF the pitcher,
making MS lrst base. Holdsworth then went TO
tho bat, ana, seiztng upon MS opportunity. sent
the ball sKywards in the direction OF the right
neld. Before attempting 70 reach second base aud
make rOum Tor holdsw orth on urst stark eyed the
Tignt helGer " the Centennals, AZ the same timc
keeping midway between tue two uahes. Whatever
hopes ne at hrst enter, aimed OF reaching second
base were soon dispeiled by Loyctt, u the Cen
tcnnias, taxing HolnswOrth's sKyAau on the ny
IN one style. Nelson then essaypd 10 send MIN.
self to first ana stark 10 second but went GUS at
nrst by a MT TO snort stop. whca very nicely
sent N 90 Abadic ab nrst, lust time 10 stop Nell
son, although anOruinR stark an opportunity 20
reacn second base. R0Oth followed Ne son ana
went ous on three strikes. ending the nrst inning
Tor tGe MutualS with a round 81.
Crayer. Oh the Centennlals, ,pened the III for
the lhiadeIphians Dy akng base nit to lett
field. Loyett followed Craver, and gained ms firsL
b4se upon three called oalls, Craver IN tue mean
time succeeding IN Stealing second. Becutet
tDen made base hlt TO centre ned send ng
CfaVer uOhe. Az TINS JuuCture L0yett attempted
70 steal 10 tnird, and, Eetng caught te act went
Gu. IrtnwOrta tneu tuoS hold 81 the nat ana sue
ceeded IA msKiag base hlt % centre fed. Tracy
followed witn puVd Dasc mt to tHIrd, am orou1hC
lrcnSorth aad Bechtei home. Notwithstanding
tie cflot thnt wa made ~ Gerhdtdt 10 SEND the
bar nome IN TIME TO stop the latter. Warner ami
-umheryuie DOta went out on strikes. Tue Cen.
teunals scored three ruaS IN this inninr and the
gene stool, Ceotennlais, 2; Muiupls, 2. Those