The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-19
THE AMERICAN GAME.

There are not wanting those who presume
to sneer at base ball. manfesting contempt
for it that it does not deserve. Base ball,
above all other games, is essentially Ameri-
can. 1t originated west of the Atlantic, and
is to-day the most popular athletic game
played in the United States. 1t is not we'll
to decry the game without reason, and it is
not altogether apparent on what ground it is
held in dIsrepute. The people patronize and
applaud gymnastic and athletic exhibitions in
theaters and circuses, and feel that
they have received the value of their money
Why may not the same be said of base ball?
A good player has TO be experienced, skill
full, and possessed of quick and discerning
judgment. To WELD the bat so as to send
the ossifed ball over the heads of the out
felders is not to be learned in day. A green
hand on the home plate would hit scarcely
one ball out of twenty struck at, and would
not be able to reach first base in a score of
trials. Much the same may be said of field
ing. A person unused to it would not
catch one ''hy'' out of fifty,
and as for stopping and holding a hot liner
right off the bat, he might as well attempt to
gather in a solid shot fired point blank from
a Parrot gun. 1t is an easy matter to sit in
the amphitheater and crticise, to shout de-
risively when player fumbles or drops a
ball, but it would be worth while to put ones
self in the players place and get an idea of
the science of the game. The game of base
ball, well played is as legitimate and digni-
| fed as is any profession followed for the
amusement and entertainment of the
public, and accomplished players just as
honorably earn their pay as do members OF
theatrical or gymnastic companies. That
the game does entertain and amuse is suffi-
GENTLY proved by the fact that it is well
patronized, and the spectators are content if
anything like good display of skill is made.
1t is not profession that goes begging for
patronage, and good ll-player has no oc-
casion to be ashamed of his accomplishments.
! OF course, the man who strikes a
ball over the left field fence is not
|
army to victory, but in his own peculiar
place he is a success, and that is more than
| he would be were he to take the command
ing generals place. In the same degree
| to take his place between pitcher and catcher.
People who go to the baseball grounds go
there to see ball played. They don't expect
| the first baseman to be an Emerson or Hugo,
nor the short-stop to give an aria from the
opera of Martha. There are many who
thoroughly enjoy base ball, and to whom
the fine fielding of fine hit gives as much
satisfaction as can be gotten out of any one
act of skill anywhere. There are many who
look upon the play as manly, healthy sport,
and who are glad to give it encouragement.
1t is dignified, decent and commendable If
conducted fairly and without hippodroming
| it affords fine field for contests between
skilled players. 1t remains for the Individual
members and especially for the managers
OF ball clubs, to determine whether the dig
nifty and decency of the game shall be main
tained At present the sport is patronized
by many good people, who will continue
their patronage and encouragement solong
as they are assured that all will be honora-
bly, and genteelly done. Ungentlemanly
conduct, mulishness and meanness are, or
ought to be, as much out of place on the ball
field as on the stage. They will have the
same effect there as elsewhere. The friends
and patrons of the game will be driven off if
either or all of them be INDUCED in. Let
American young men give us clean, honest,
friendly sport, and they will be the gamers
| thereby.