The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-17

pleasure tniS coming SuintHtI1
AS everybody interested in the game very well
knows, the Portland grounds are not in condition
for playing or practice before the middle or latter
part of April while the clubs farther to the south
ch earer In orde that e The yo the
Portland club might be put into first class playing
condition (Which means month of getting over
lame shoulders, strained arms, backs and legs) by
the opening of the league season, it was decided
to make tour during the month of April, playing
the very strongest clubs possible !, Ell, Inis pro
estimable valve to the men. Instead OF playing
amateur teams, the Portlands are facing teams
that are members of the three strongest aSsocia-
tions in the country, VIZ: National League,
American Association and Eastern League, not
with any idea or particular desire to win games
from them, but to profit by the opportunity given
of batting the curves, shoots, twists and drops OF
as good pitchers as there are in the country, and
of Judging the long flies and stopping the swiftly
batted balls of the most scientific batsmen. Such
practice can not fail to show good results when
our boys begin their games for the championship
presume most of the public understand the
matter, but there are the usual number OF growl-
ers who pronounce the team mo good' because
they do not show up very well =. against aggrega-
600 to $4,000. Pitchers like Shaw, Barr, Smith
and the rest cost money and are luxuries beyond
our reach, and the "snarlers" should know TINS
and not expect batsmen who get but S75 per
month to get many hits off pitchers who can
command $500 for the season. fancy it viii
surprise many when they are informed that this
years team, without practice have made better
showing against their strong opponents In the
seven games played WIFI Newark, DIOOhlyhf
Washington and Hartford than did last years
team after two weeks of practice in their first
seven games for the Eastern New England cham
pionshp against clubs in their own class, both as
to fielding and batting. In their seven games
Manager Spence's team have made 80 base hits
and Sc errors.
Last yeal Manager Winsnip's team made 36
base hits and 90 errors. When the difference III
playing strength of the opponents of the two Port
land teams is taken into consideration, 1t must
convince the most sceptical that the team OF '86
is very much the stronger. The brilliant game at
Hartford yesterday is only additional evidence OF
the truth of this conclusion. MEDIcUs.
The Lawrences have released Charles George.
Kent Howard has been released by the ST. Louis
league club.
The Bowdoins are having new uniforms made.
They will be plain white with the word bow
doin'' in blue letters on the breast.
Brunswick will put strong nine in the field
this season. AT business meeting the other
evening it was decided to purchase new suits.
They are to be white with blue trimmings.
Baxter, one of last years BrocktOn catchers,
has signed to play in Manchester this season.
DilwOrth will wear shoes this year.
The base ball philosopher of the Bddetord
Journal says: 1.-The Portlands have already had
the satisfaction of facing some of the strongest
practice and may result in their favor. sincere
ly hope it will. /, for one, am going to do my
shouting for the Forest City nine this year."
The Bates College nine Will play Fast Day Wild
the Yarmouths at Yarmouth.
Seven clubs have entered the High School
League, including Portland, Yarmouth, Auburn
Bath, Brunswick, Bridgton and Lewiston.