The Democratic advocate., 1883-07-21
On the Diamond.

Ball Association played three games last
week, and won two of the three.
The first was with the Littlestown nine, in
which Westminster scored 20 and Littlestown
8. Littlestown being no match for them the
First Nine did not exert themselves, and only
used the regular battery for few innings.
On Friday afternoon the First Nine was
not in good trim when they went to the
grounds to play the Patapsco nine, their pitch
er being partly disabled, one other member
being lame and two players places being sup
piled with substitutes. They expected TO
play nine from Patapsco, this county, but
on the contrary they met Il nine with four
frst-class amateurs, if not professionals, and
two other good players, and three from Pa
tapsco. The game was called at the end of
the 9Th inning, when the score stood PatapscO
II; Westminster l. The joke the Patapsco
club played on our boys, by getting the play
ers from Baltimore was greatly enjoyed by
the crowd in attendance. However, if the
First Nine had been in good trim with full
membership, the game would have been clos
er, with results in doubt
On Saturday afternoon the First Nine
played with the Mechanicstown, Frederick
county nine. Bankerd played pitch and
Reese catch for the First Nine for two in
nings, and Harding, regular pitch, played
second base. Reese did we'll, as did Bank
erd, the latter learning to curve the ball very
we'll Bankerd sprained an ankle in the third
inning whilst running to the second base,
then Harding pitched and Clabaugh went be-
hind the bat. Mechanicstown boys could not
bat Hardings balls, and only succeeded in
scoring one run in the third inning, one in
the fourth and made none in the fifth. The
game was called on account of rain while
Westminster was at the bat in the beginning
of the 9th inning. They had scored II runs
and only one was out when the game stopped.
The score is counted at the close of the 9Th
inning. 1t was Westminster %; Mechanics
town 10.
The game that has excited most interest
here was that on Thursday afternoon between
the First Nine and the Chambersburg nine.
The attendance was fully three times as great
as usual, many ladies being among the spec
tators. The game began about 2 o'clock and
ended about 4, with defeat of the Westmin-
ster nine by a score of to 4. Westminster
went to the bat first and scored one in the
first inning, Chambersburg following suit.
In the next three innings Westminster failed
to make a run. Chambersburg made one in
the second, one in the third and was white
washed in the fourth. Westminster made
three runs in the fifth inning, and blanks in
the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth. Cham
bersburg made no runs in the fifth and sixth
innings, and were credited with four in the
seventh and one in the eighth.
Although much interest was manifested IN
the contest. the game was unsatisfactory to
the public on account of alleged unfair rulings
of the umpire, who was from Chambersburg,
and some wagers on the result were withdrawn.
In the seventh inning, whilst Westminster
was at the bat, and when the score was to 3
in favor of the home club, Gelwick, 1st base
of Chambersburg nine, after attempting to
catch a ball. laid down. Several members of
his nine went to him, and it was generally
supposed he was severely injured. The
crowd was warned not to gather around him,
and two physicians on the ground went to the
scene. Just as they arrived, however, Gel
wick got up with assistance, and walked
around few minutes. Whilst walking the
pitcher gave him the ball, told him to put it
under his arm and watch his opportunity and
put the runner (Miller) out. Going to the
base Gelwick still appeared to be suffering
considerably, and stood doubled up. In a
moment he grabbed the ball from under his
arm. put it on the runner and called for a de-
cision, the umpire declaring the runner out.
This proceeding was evidently unjust from any
standpoint The trick practiced was not hon
orable when playing with an honorable club
in mere social game, for it was evident to
all that Gelwick, if injured at all, was not
near as much so as he pretended. Aside
from the deception practiced, the decision of
the umpire was unjust. If Gelwick was in
iured time should have been called, for the
game for few minutes was stopped II the
umpire called time he should have had the
bali passed to himself before calling play.
1t thus appeared that the umpire either failed
to observe the rules of the game, or assisted
in an unfair advantage. Just here the home
nine should have demanded change of UNI
pire and that Gelwick be put off the nine.
If the demand had not been acceeded to they
should have refused to continue the game.
Such a trick as was practiced by Gelwlck,
aided by the pitcher and the umpire, IS not
baseball nor commendable; and the decision
of the umpire was clearly at fault and begot
disgust among the large audience.
However, this was passed, and Westmin-
ster failed to score point. When the Cham
bersburg club were at the bat in the seventh
inning a player was put out at the home base,
according to the unanimous decision of the
spectators. 1t put the side out, with only one
run made, but the umpire declared the runner
safe. and three more runs were scored. This
made the game stand to in favor of Cham
bersburg, and was the turning point in the
contest. This decision appeared to the pub
lie as unfair. and caused considerable unta-
vorable comment
In the third inning, too, there was a differ
ence of opinion regarding play which put
out the Westminster nine. A foul ball was
knocked and two men were on bases. The
pitcher threw the ball to the first baseman,
and he failed to catch it, and then all the run
ners went home AS soon as the ball was
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runners were when the ball was thrown by the
pitcher. and the runners and the side were
declared out. 1t was decided by the umpire
that the pitcher, after getting the ball, was
not in his proper place when he threw 1t. A
rule of the game does not permit players to
run after foul ball until it is passed to the
pitcher when he is in his proper place. The
captain of the home club knew the rule, OBJ
served the position of the pitcher when he
threw the ball to the first baseman, and called
to those on bases to run. Westminster had
already made three runs. These two would
have made five, with but one man out.
1t is to be regretted that any cause for even
suspicion should occur in a social and friend
" contest as was this game, and especially
when there was ground for division OF opln-
ion between the umpire and the spectators at
critical points, as were all of those above
uOEeQ. Ae pllS SdNO DO 'SA@'A NSSASAOi 80
favor of the home nine, where some doubt
existed among spectators, bnt in every case,
it is alleged, it was not very important whether
the runner was out or not.
While the official score was Chambersburg
8 and Westminster 4, by general acclaim
Westminster won the game by score OF
to 5.
+ Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the game
was interesting. The home club played well
won great admiration for his promptness anc
activity, and Myers won applause by, splee!n
did catah in the left field, All others die
well, in batting, running and catching.
The Chambersburg nine made more errors
than the Westminster, and according to one
of their number, played the worst game they
have played this season. :.
The First Nine will play the Caledonis
club this Saturday afternoon, and on Mon
day, the 3Oth, they will play the Enterprise
club of Baltimore. Before going into the
latter game an umpire without interest il
either club should be obtained and an agree
ment made that base ball and not tricks be
| ,,1aved