The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09
WONDERFUL GAMEOF BALL.

WONDERFUL GAMEOF BALL.
Those persons who had the honor of
my acquaintance ten years ago, Will re-
call that was quite an adept in the ma
tional game of baseball. / pitched for
the Stromboli club--a fair underband
pitch--for several games; but about that
time the fashion of curving and under
hand throwing came IN fashion.
I never believed it possible for any
human being to send a regular body
such as baseball from his hand in
such a fashion as to make it turn to
the right or left. When the boys began
to tell their wonderful stories about it, I
said lottily that it was contrary to the
law Of mechanics, and, with view Of 81
lenclng these presumptuous youngsters,
I wrote to the 8oitntVSs A,~er1oan, and
submitted the question 10 that authori-
tative journal. It answered, in effect,
that it was ridiculous absurdity for any
person to make such q claim.
This, however, did not silence my
friends. They said they had seen it done.
Cummings, the professional, could do it
with ease, thoug Oh that was about the
extent Of his capacity on the field.
Then I was told that Mann. of the
Princeton college nine had, acquired the
art; but l only laughed, until one day
I witnessed game between the College
nine and the New Haven professionals.
I placed myself behind the board: fence
back Of the catcher, and watched
That settled 1t. Mann did it c0ntin-
ally. I saw the ball. as it left his hand,
make such decided turn to one side
that it actually went around the end of
the bat, and the player, who was confident
Of making home run, didn't come with
in six inches Of the cube.
Even the veteran Gould, once Of the f.
NOUS old Red Stockings, after instruct
ing his men how the thing was done,
stepped up to the plate, and banged
away eight times during the game, with
ont coming anywhere near the ball.
immediately reversed my opinions, as
did the Scientific Americaa, and also Pro-
fessor Swift, OF Rochester, who went out
on the ball-held ana saw the ball pitched
squarely around the end of board.
think it was good time for US all to
patch up our theories. "s
asked Mann how he did the trick,
and he said that he curved the ball acct
dentally one day, while pract1cing in the
gymnasium, and showed me how he held
the ball. .....s
But could never acquire the knack,
and resigned my position as pitcher for
the Stromb Slls, and was succeeded by an
ambitious young gentleman, who nearly
snapped his head off every time ne pitch
ed the ball.
Shortly after, became sensible of an
increasing tendency to corpulency on my
part, doubtless inherited from my father,
who weighed an eighth of ton.
My weight steadily increased, until I
now tip the scales at 800, and am still
rising. '.." "
was always fond of witnessing the
game, and used to go out to the Athletic
grounds, to see that club clean out the
old Atlantics, and then get cleaned out
in turn by the Red Stock ings, OF Cincin-
natl, who in turn would be completely
used W by the Atlantics, in their shabby
uniforms, while f,rtune varied as con-
oerned the other clubs. 2
Last Fourth Of July, social party was
gotten together, and arrangements made
for spending the glorious anniversary over
in New Jersey.
A delightful grove was selected, and
among the amusements, it was settled
that game OF baseball was to be played
in the afternoon, and was selected as q
member of one of the contesting nines
Ishivered when told 1t, and protested.
The fact was, that among the numerous
spectators was to be young lady for
whom entertain a. very high respect,
and who, l was beginning to hope, was
not altogether impartial toward me-
declined at once. .F
sit can't be thought off, said, en-
phatically. II haven't played ball for
ten years. I'm too fat to run. can't
catch a ball, and couldn't hit one, unless
they will allow me to use a ten-inoh
board ~
"Thats the fix we're all m" said nv
friend There's really only one fair
player-Mackpnerson; and we will han
dicap him, so the difference won't be no,
ticed. If you can't run, some one may
1un tor you, and you will do as good
batting as any of them. No use Of talk
ing, therefore. I've got you down for
the night field, where you won't have
much to do, but can put on all the style
you wish.'
Unfortunately, ! suffered myself to be
persuaded.
The Fourth OF July turned out to be a
splendid day-cool, breezy, and of just
the right temperature, and we were q
jolly party that took the cars, early IN
the morning, and went over into JERSEY
to spend tie day.
I haven't space to describe fourth
part OF the history Of those hours dissi-
pated in the country.
There were about twenty five gentle
men, and the same number of ladies -
each OF the latter having an escort.
It was the expectation of Us all that
our party-includlng the old farmer whu
owned the would be the only wit
nesses of this memorable contest; but
one Of his urchins employed himself foE
two days previous to the game in spread