National Republican., 1880-02-24
the BASEBALL SEASON.
Prospects of the Nationals for the
Present Year.
I'm Encouraging outiook-A Large Number
OF Games to be Played In this Ciiy-A
Western "Trip In April-Business TO
Commence Here In Mayor
BnnlzutiOn of tho Nh.
tionaI Club, SO.
Tho Nntionnls for 1880.

outdoor sports can be fully enjoyed, although
It might truly be said that there has been
fow days during this winter when tho lovers
of ball. cricket or crcquet could not have in
tulged themselves in either Of these pastimes
to their hearts content. The mild and open
weather conduces to the belief tlat the spring
will also be forward, and that tho only dangers
to be feared Is from too much rain rather than
The cold. There being no wntor to break up,
as consequence the advent Of spring promises
10 be felt within the next month No person
watches the weather and the representations
moro steadily and closely than the ball-playcr,
especially he who has an engagement 10 play
with some club for the scason of 1850. He
anticipates by the sign of carly spring
that ho will receive notice to report
for duty sooner than he would If
1t were backward, and he feels better satisfied
when tho notification comes, because he is
then confident that the engagement will
prove n certainty. While there are so many
good ball-players idle, in search Of places, only
the cream of the profession feel secure that
they will not bo deposed The others incline
to timidity and gather remarkable courage
when placed in harness preparatory 10 playing,
for this is sufficient sign of their retention.
The National Club Of this city organized last
fall on thorough business basis und deter
mined to place representative nne In the
field that Washington might DO proud of
The association was regularly incorporated,
elected its officers, secured its constitution and
bylaws and then those entrusted with the
duty TO select the players to comprise the team
for tho season of 1880 went to work. They had
n large field from which to choose land fter oh.
serving much caro- in their selections, gathered
together the following players Charles N.
Bnydor, late of the Bostons, catcher and cap.
tain; Joseph Gerhardt, late of the Cincinnats,
second bascman Frederick j. Warner late of
tile Clcveands third baseman Stephen j.
Dgnnn, late of the Brocktons, loft fielder,
aud John Lynch, pitcher; William II. Me-
Clollan, shOrt-stop; Philip Baker, centre field;
George II. Derby, right flold; George Latham,
frst baseman, and Samuel Trott, change
catcher all of last years nine. II Is
looked upon as one of tho strongest teams in
the country belonging to either association.
A majority of these players enjoy the facility
Ofbeing able TO play in more than one posi-
lion. Lynch and Derby are the pitchers, aud
can take tho bases, while Snyder, Trott and
Baker fill the catchers position Dgnan, in
addition to out-hclding, makes good short
stop, rs docs Warner Mcclellan finds no
trouble in playing third base or tho field
Baker and Trott are capital first basemon
while Latham is known TO have done effective
work ut tho second. Gerhardt is n No.
j third basoman, and made himself a
good record during the time he occupied that
position with the Cincinnati nine last season.
while Mt the second he cannot be excelled. OF
Snydcr's worth behind the bat little need be
said, for his reputation as the leading catcher
Of the country has stood for years. and cannot
be contradicted with truth. Both of the last
two-named players are natives of this city.
Their career has been watched for yoars in
playing away from home, and their friends
have always rejoiced at their success. Now
their felow-townsmen will be given an oppor-
tunity to witness tbeii skillin handling the
sphere, and know the correctness of tho fame
earned. Warner is native Of Philadelphia
and began playing in that city. He grew
In worth, aud was finally gathered in
h.V al.,1. NJ.
preciatlng his merits as a player, succeeded
in securing him to command tho third
base. Dgnan is from Boston, Mass and
comes from a semi-professiona nine. While
not having played directly with an assoca
tion or League club, still he has played against
many one of them, and showed himself tC
be valuable man for any nine. He played
with the Bostons late last year against the
Worcesters, and pounded the phenomena
pitcher Richmond numerically. What the
remaining players Of the nine are capable o
performing tho patrons of the game know
by observing their exhibitions last year
The Nationals have received, during tn,
past winter, constant and unlimited free ad
vertising, until they have become know
wherever ball club exists aud tho desire tC
see them is beyond that expressed for any
other club in or out of the League By cap
turing two of the best players in the League
they became pretty well introduced in that or
ganizatoD, and tho organs of that body hurled
repeated and heavy maledictions upon then
for doing it. When they applied for Leapu,
membership, and would not como in upon til,
fifty cent basis, they caught it again Whoi
Worcester decided to 20 into that body ant
the Nationals doomed IL expedicnt for the
safety Of their own existence to brave tn,
iity-cent bugbear and made q similar appli
cation, the third broadside was poured ou
upon them. The officers received the casti
cation in a submissive spirit, but the clu
would not die 1t had been given GU
that 1t was organized to live
and exist II would. When certain
clubs found that disbanding was likely t
occur, they could not obtain certain player
wanted, so they smothered their wrath an,
became very gracious The organs twiste
the key and changed the tune into one O
laudaton and praise, and between the tw
courses pursued the club has gained popu
arity almost unsurpassed, Last week th
delegates attended tho annual meeting of th
association and arranged the business for tn
coming season, but the schedule of games vii
not be forthcoming until Tome time mex
month. Mr.. ]. ii. Clifford, of last years Al
bangs, has been selected as manager. Th
players are now in the gymnasium training
md will soon be in condition for their worl
The fight for tho championship will con
mence hero about the LIST of May, aud these
together with the League games, will max
at least fOrty-hve matches 10 take place /
this city,
The club has, also, arranged for Wester
trip, leaving hero on April ~, and retunin
about May l. They will play in Cincinnati
on the 10th, 18th aud 10Th; Chicago god, 90
aud 2ith and Cleveland, 9th, 25th and 20Ll
Should time and weather peTmitthoy will prof.
Rbly, whio at Chicago, visit Dubuque, lows
aud play the club there, They have alread
received an invitation to make the trip, and
Is known that there is good nine in thi
Western city.
Before leaving hore they intend to ope
their own grounds, and IL is expected that tb
Providence club will come here aud play Apr
3, 8 and 10, with a reservation of tho 18th.
The prospects for the season are now yer
encouraging, aud the officers of tho club fc,
satisfied there will be no trouble in goiu
through to tho eud, coming out nll righ
While there are but four clubs in the associ5
tion at present, stlll there is evidence suffcler
that two more will unite with these an
there is strong possibility of two
addition, swelling tho total to eight {
course, the more the increase IL
greater the number Of games to
played here. As under tho now rules ever