The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-10-02
A TOPEKAlTE DEFENDS THE
WESTERNS.
TOPEKA, September 80, 1871.


To tie Editor Of the Eagle:
In the Wichita Herald of the eth,
either the editor or some bilious report
er attacks the Western Base Ball Club,
and departs so far from decency and
truth i'm the matter that |, as disinter-
ested looker-on, would like to correct
the wrong impressions in reference to
the boys liable 10 take hold of your cit
liens if the statements are not denied.
The Westerns are not IA crowd of bull
lies and blow-hards, and disgrace to
their town. on the contrary, they are,
without an exception, young men who
stand well in society at home; they are
sober and Industrious. and the citizens
of Topeka are proud of them. not only
as good ball-players. but good citizens.
The statement that there are not over
two in the mob that ever sat down To a
tirst-class table before. and really don't
know what respectable meal is is
biliingsgate, and requires no answer.
The man who wrote it. surely did not
expect your citizens to believe it. He
goes on to state that no one ever heard
of the Westerns acting gentlemanly on
any occasion" Not having seen them
outside of Wichita in any game this sea-
son. he is not competent to judge. The
fact il. the Westerns have not had a
member of their club or citizen of their
town act as umpire in any match game
this season. with Kansas clubs, hut they
have never once done any kicking"
but went manfully to work and won the
game in every contest.
think the majority of your citizens
who witnessed the game at Wichita viii
bear me out in SAYING that they were
quiet and gentlemanly throughout the
game. although they were ''out of luck y
and had one OF their best men injured
in the second inning. which weakened
them very much. Ii is ridiculous to say
1.-The Westerns would undoubtedly have
been beaten had not one of their ruff
ans gone ont of his way TO jump on and
disable Ozane, the Reds pitcher" ! sat
very close to the home base when Ozanc
was injured: i, was in the eighth inn
ing. and the score stood at The end of
that inning. 80 TO 10 in favor of the
/ Westerns. In the next inning each club
made two runs. so il looks very much
from the score. as thouoh that accident
was benefit instead OF an injury TO the
Reds Frank Millham, the PLAYER who
injured Ozane, is the Youngest PLAYER in
the club. and as gentemanly little fel-
low as ever sold tea and sugar over a
counter. He was on third base. and en-
titled to a clean run in making the home
Iplate: the play was very close one
Ozane was AT the home plate STOPPING
to catch the ball coming from the catch
er. and Millliam in running TO get there
struck him on the shoulder with his
1
fer the accident and forgiven, Though
he was not al faul..l The two men were
on friendly terms aiterward. and don't
think Mr.. Ozaae TO-DAY considers Mill
ham al fault. II was a much an acct
dent a. when Cation had his thumb bro
ken in the second inning.
| The Westerns did not lose any thing
on the game. The party who lost money
was sporting man who met the BOYS
down the road and decided to go with
them. lie lost about $50 on bets that
the Westerns would win 3 70 /. The
club LOST nothing. The rules do not
permit bets TO be made by members.
The bet of 800 that the Westerns would
beat , to was won. no. by the club. huI
by individuals who made up the purse.
The dissatisfaction with the umpire
arose from the fact that he refused to
call strikes" on good curved balls.
Thi. had the effect of weakening and
discouraging the pitcher and the same
pitching that whitewashed the Ottawa
club six innings in succession. let the
Reds get in twelve runs, though the o.
tawas are much stronger at the bat than
the Reds. The regular pitcher of the
Westerns being injured in the second
inning could not take the place OF pitch
err. or the score might have been" some
what different. Mr.. Smvshe evidently
meant well. but being unused TO judg.
ing curved balls, made j, very urfor:s-
nate for the Westerns. The complaints
made were made in quiet way by the
PLAYERS to the umpire. and although SIT
ting within a hundred feet of both
pitcher and umpire. did not hear one
word of complaint from any member OF
the club during the progress Of the
game.
/ consider this defense doe the West
erns and Ia the citizens of Wichita wlio
would rather not entertain any IN
friendly feeling towards ..our boys"
/ Respectfully yours.
J GEO. W. CRANE.