Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-05
WONDERFUL GAMEOF BALL

WUNDChE CL UAME Ut DALI
Those persons who had the honor of
my acquaintance ten years ago, will re-
call that l was quite an adept in the ma
tional game of baseball. pitched for
the Stromboli Cuba fair underhand
pitch-for several games; but about that
time the fashion OF curving and under
hand throwing came IN fashion.
1 never believed it possible for any
human being to send regular body
such as a 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,
said loftily that it was contrary to the
law Of mechanics, and, with view of ST.
lencing these presumptuous youngsters,
wrote to the Scientific american, and
submitted the question to that authori-
tative journal. It answered, in effect,
that i was ridiculous absurdity for any
person to make such claim.
This, however, did not silence my
friends. They said they had seen it done.
Cummings, the professional, could do it
with ease, though that was about the
extent of his capacity on the field.
Then was told that Mann. of the
Princeton college nine had, acquired the
art; but only laughed, until one day
witnessed game between the College
nine and the New Haven professionals.
[ placed myself behind the board fence
back of the catcher, and watched
That settled It. Mann did it contin-
ally. 1 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 IA
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
out coming anywhere near the bali.
| Immediately reversed my opinions, as
did the Scientific american, and also Pro-
fessor Swift, OF Rochester, who went out
on the ball-feld and saw the ball pitched
squarely around the end of a board.
1 think it was good time for US all to
patch up our theories.
l asked Mann how he did the trick,
and he said that he curved the ball acct
dentally one day, while practlcing in the
gymnasium, and showed me how he held
the ball.
But could never acquire the knack,
and resigned my position as pitcher for
the Strombells, and was succeeded by an
ambitious young gentleman, who nearly
snapped his head off every time he pitch
ed the ball.
Shortly after, became sensible of an
Increasing tendency to corpulency on my
part, doubtless inherited from nv father,
who weighed an eighth of ton.
My weight steadily increased, until
now tip the scales at 900, and am still
rising.
1 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 Stockings, of Cincin-
natl, who in turn would be completely
used up by the Atlantics, in their shabby
uniforms, while fortune varied as con-
cerned the other clubs.
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 I was selected as a
member OF one OF the contesting mines.
L shlvered when told It, and protested.
The fact was, that among the numerous
spectators was to be a young LADY for
whom entertain very hi oh respect,
and who, was beginning to hope, was
not altogether impartial toward me. Il
declined at once.
ut can't be thought Of" I said, en-
phatically. II haven't played ball for
ten years. I'm too fat to run. I can't
catch ball, and couldn't hit one, unless
they will allow me to use a ten-inch
board"
''That's the fix we're all ln,'' said nv
friend There's really only one fair
player-Mackpherson; and we will han
dicap him, so the difference won't be no.
ticed. If you can't run, some one NAV
Iun for 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 right field, where you won't have
much to do, but can put on all the stvle
you wish.'
Unfortunately, I 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
jolly party that took the cars, early IN
the morning, and went over into JERSEY
to spend tie day.
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.
1t was the expectation of us all that
our party-including the old farmer who
owned the grove-would be the only wit
nesses OF this memorable contest; but
one OF his urchins employed himself for
two days previous TO the game in spread
ing the news, so that by the time three
o'clock came, there were several hundred
ranged along under the shadows of the
trees to watch our performances.
The little rascal also pointed me ont
as former professional, who had refused
tremendous offers from all the clubs in
the country, so that great expectations
were formed concerning me.