, 1881-04-03
The Champions of 1881 Report
tor Duty to the Chicago
Club.
All the Players in Perfect Con-
dition and Full OF Con-
fldence.
Tie Outlook Never Better in Chi
cago for First-C Glass Ball.
Playing.
Silly Assertions by g Brace Of News
paper Nincompoops-Ban Talk
in General.



! Last Friday was the day set by all the Leag,:e
contracts for players to report for duty, and out
| OF Chicago's eleven mcn ult but four put In up
| pear1nce promptly at the clubhouse. and spent
tho afternoon pleasantly In canvassing the sit,1-
alton and exchanging views and experienc ces.
| There were present Gore, Dalrympte, Burns,
| Kelly, Williamson, Quest, and Pfercy, and tho
| aosentees were Anson, Flint, Corcoran, and
| Goldsmith. all oc whom we're presumed to be on
their way to headquarters, but were very likely
! snowbound ii different parts OF the country.
1hefr failure to arrive was of no consequence
under Tue circumstances, as the weather was in
eehseiJ cold, tile ground frozen hard, and the
ball-tleld covered with ice AMI snow. 1t will re-
qh're seven or eight unys Of the most favorable
conditions to put the grounds In order such rs
TO admit OF practice work. i warm
rain. followed by bright, sunny weather,
would help matters amazingly. The interval or
ttme however, will not be spent In idlencss.
!. Arrangements have been made to put the play
css Through systematic course Of gymnasium
work. and it will be work, too, and no nonsense
Anson is d firm believer tn hard work rs u prep
aration for good ball-playinc, aad he will SEQ to
1t that every man gets his full share OF it. The
first moment the weather and condition Of the
field will admit the men will be sent out ct
doors to earn their salaries by able-bodied
exertion, and the understanding is distinct that
failure to practice vigorously and assduously
VIII subject players to unpleasant consequences.
Il more jOviAl and cougcDial set Of fellows
thnn the champion team OF 1881 it would be hard
to get together. No one among them NIL seems
to be imbucd with an overwecning sense Of his
own importance, hut each Is evidently impressed
with the wholesome fdea that he Is but q unit III
a whole which Is not complete without all Its
parts, and that be is Of no greater value
than any other of the units. Good feellux
relgns supreme, and confidence In the superiori-
t. OF tho Hhitc-StockIng team over all others In
5he League Is shared In al equal degree By ali.
Without single exception the eleven men are
IN perfect physjca! condition, ready and anxious
to 50 Into trimming for the seasons work, and
having no doubt of their ability to improve
upon last season's splendid record. Their first
Toes Tor the season will be the Cleveland team,
which appenrs here May 2, =, md !. The Cham
l1eat p1ons are - free @ t. recognize the increased
count all the more determined to make it warm |
for the Forest City chaps. In Cleveland an in |
tense ambition prevails to make good begin !
test will be a stubborn and spirited one.
The Chicogos this year are the only team !
among the eight League organizations who will /
lions rs those occupied &C fdc reauiariy a id daring @
the preceding season; it is the only team |
e Gi'h and eve5y Fl pten es 9s
was deemed possible The only change Is in the
eleventh u.ntl, and here a decided Improvement
;os'ng player with reputation yet to make, bur I
enough is known to Justify the anticipation that
services shall be needed Ife i1as had expert
encc in California both as intelder and out
1le:lder, L: and is pitcher OF no tnean capacity.
His presence will be u continued spur to the
other players to keep up to their work.
~ The pitchers this yeur will he Corcoran and
Wiz FIT Ss ay s fe%
catchers. Anson, Quest, and Williamson will
sEa4 nn hs @