Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-23
BASE BALL.
Augusta Citizens Alive to the National
Game.
A Bright Prospect that the City will
be well Represented on the Diamond
this Season.

The coming season promises to see base
ball team on the diamond that will be a credit
to the city and will be able to hold its Owl
with any amateur club in the State. The
| interest in the game which is being mani
tested this year is not confined to d
few, but is quite general and embraces a
number of the most prominent young busi-
ness men in the city. The people want
good club and if they can get such an
| organization there appears to be very genera
willingness to support it. 1t has been a MAJ
ter Of surprise that while cities no larger tina
Augusta have been able to support strons
professional teams during the past few sea
sons, Augusta has accorded our local MIN
little except attendance upon the
games. This state Of affairs has not bee
wholly due to the apathy Of our citizens
There have always been enthusiastic sup
porters of the game here, but their expert
| ence has been the same that is generally
with that it il almost an impossibiIity to main
| tain first class nine, and meet expense,
without an inclosed field, in addition TO 3
strong public sentiment, which is willing f
contribute something in the way of financial
backing. The assurance Of inclosed ground
which the formation of the Capital Park
Association brings, has given decided i'm
petus to base ball enthusiasm in the city, and
there is no longer any doubt but what the
nine that will represent the city will
be stronger than any which has been
Reds won a widespread reputation a.
one of the crack amateur clubs of the
State. Matters will be managed differently
this year than they have been on former
occasions. To begin with there will be a
complete organization of affairs, and every
thing will be conducted with system and
according to strict business principles The
officers of the club will probably consist of
board of directors, a manager and a field
captain. Arrangements will also be made
to have an official scorer which viii insure
good report of the games.
| From the directors treasurer will probably
be chosen who will keep strict itemized
account of all receipts and expenditures and
report the same at each regular meeting of
the directors This may not be the exact form
of organization but tit is the one most general,
talked of among those who are interested
in the game All realize the absolute neces-
sity of organization and system, The election
of board of directors will actively enlist
more citizens in support of the team beside
furnishing final authority to which all
questions that may arise may be referred for
decision. Such an organization would
moreover inspire confidence among the
citizens generally.
OF course it is not expected that any nine
here, can be made self-supporting but it is
| hoped that it may become in a measure so.
Money will have to be raised in the begin
ming of the season to secure uniforms. masks,
gloves bats balls, etc, necessary to the
proper equipment of the club and then it will
depend upon the liberality of the public to
decide how many games can be played.
The matter of practice will be carefully
looked after this season. 1t is probable that
the regular nine will not be chosen till later
| in the season, and in the mean time by
series of practice games the officers of the
club will be able to ascertain just who are
the strongest players There will be no lack
of material this year from which to organize
nine as several old players of known abli-
ties who were unable to play last year have
| vii to, "a, tre 81
club this season.
As the days grow longer there will he time
after supper to get in hour two of
good practice which if followed regularly
will produce astonishing results. A
thorough organization will enable
the members of the team to put in all their
practice to advantage without waste of time.
A great trouble with Augusta mines in the
past has been too many field captains. but
this year arrangements will be made to have
but one. which will aid materially in the win
ming of games In the practice attention will
be given to batting and base running well
as to fielding. The time has at length seemed
ripe for action and accordingly a meeting of
| All those III tiit iitN NHt arr iuttttStAil IL
base ball. will be held in the Aldermeus
room Wednesday evening at seven o'clock
for the purpose of adopting constitution and
effecting an organization. All lovers of the
game are cordially invited to be present and
assist in making the meetinga an emphatic sue
| cess.
There must be general awakening all
along the line. A booming city like ours
should have good nine and if our citizens
do their duty we shall certainly have one this
| season.
One of the gentlemen who has been prom
| inent in securing an inclosed park informs us
that the work of grading off a diamond vii
be commenced rs soon as an organization of
the club is effected and the location of tn
diamond decided upon.