The Washington critic., 1888-08-21
BASEBALL STATESMEN.
How the Great National Game is Be-
coming More National.
4 CONGRESSMAN AS AN UMPIRE.
Various Members of the House who Are
Posted in the Sport.

1t is said by the author Of "Games in
Greece that IIelon OF Troy was wont to play
not only u but lawn tennis. and that Marc
Antony attracted the attention Of Cleopatra
by making a home run on a long drive TO left
field
Many man has risen TO prominence behind
n baseball bat, and the time Is near at hand
when our handsome ball players viii prove
more dangerous TO the peace Of the family
than the deadly coachman.
Now the question Is asked, why do YOU
call baseball the National Game? Simply be-
cause our lawmakers leave the House about
4 o'clock IN the afternoon and he themselves
TO the ball ground.
There Is quite n large number OF Members
who are devotees of the national game, and
when game is in progress here and call Of
the House should be ordered Sorgeant-at- Arms
Leedom or his genial deputy, Ike Hill, would
know exactly where to put their hands OH
some of the absentees.
At the game yesterday ON the grand stand
was Marcus Aurelius Smith, the Delegate from
Arizona. mark" as he Is famliarly called
by his friends, is passonately fond Of baseball,
and never loses an opportunity to witness n
game. In truth, 1t can be said that he is an
expert player.
A story is told by the baseball men in the
House that II few years ago, at Tucson, Ariz.,
n series OF games Of ball took place between
the Tombstoners and the Calabnsas, the crack
clubs of the Territory Each day new UNI
pire was required on account of injuries re-
cetyed by the umpire OF the day before. Um-
piring finally became dangerous calling, and
no one could be found TO acknowledge that ho
was or wanted to be an umpire.
At the last game between the above clubs
the captains Of each addressed the large audi
ence, asking IL any gentleman would volunteer
to umpire the game. Smith, who was near
by, came forward and proifercd his services.
Il 4
The first man OF the Tombstoners ut the bat
knocked ball to centre, and Just as the player
reached first the ball came too. 1t was a very
close call.
"Out at first '' sang out Smith, and in the
twinltlng Of au eye he whipped out n brace of
horse pistols and surveying the field, he said:
"Does any gentleman here question that de-
cisionY' There was no answer, and the game
proceeded without growl.
Mr.. Smith is very enthusiastic, and always
backs the Washingtons.
Amos j. Cummings is another ball en-
thusiast. lie shouts when the Senators make
run, but when the Giants appear he backs
'em to win.
Mr.. McAdoo of New Jersey frequents the
game lie is learning how to Keep the record,
and at the House he secures points from John
j. O'Neill of Missouri
Felix Campbell of New York dotes on
double plays. Whenever a player makes II
run to catch fly ball, Felix will stand up and
shout with all his lung power
Bob Vance OF Connecticut understands the
game thoroughly. lie used to be catcher for
the New Britain Conn, Club He says they
can't play ball now MS they did when he was
a ''profesh.n When player with red head
is at the bat Vance gets nervous. The other
day a red-headed player made home run and
Vance was so filed with emotion that he had
to refresh himself at n neigbborng pump.
Baker of New York can be found at the
-.
catchers and pitchers. lie is talking of organ
izing q nine to be composed Of such men as
Barnes of Georgia, Mansur of Missouri and
Mason of Illinois.
Major Martin of Texas says he can't find
time to attend the game and then it's changed
so much since he played in Texas that he'd
be unable to catch on. AS soon ms he can get
n Member to be trusted he'll 90 to see game,
but not before Amos Cummings has prom
ised to initiate him.
The Pittsburg Club felt highly indignant be-
cause Tom Bayne of the Smoky City didn't
come out to see them win two victories from
the Senators. 1t was reported that Bayne
was at the last game and the Pttsburgs be-
came so nervous that they lost 1t.
Jack Hiestand of Pennsylvania ia q lover of
the sport. He'd miss his dinner any day to
see good game Of ball.
Tim Campbell of New York is always maxi
ing comparisons between the Washingtons
and the Giants. lie leaves game unsatisiied.
He lost case of champagne on the Washing
tons, and he's been complaining ever since.
He obtained the title of Judge by umpiring o
game of ball some years ago.
Russell and Long Of Massachusetts are sick
at heart. They say that the failure of the
Bostons to do the Washingtons has disguised
them completely.
Ashbel Parmelee Fitch OF New York, the
Apollo Of the House, never misses game. lie
divides the attention of the ladies between the
players and the game. Mr.. Fitch used to be
pitcher on college nine, and he is recognized
as an authority.
Tim Tarsney of Michigan whoops it up for
the home boys until the Wolverines come, and
then Tim puts on cap and waits around as
the tenth man.
O'Neill of Missouri, the labor champion, is
q member of the American Association. He
occupies the position of attorney-general.
Amos Cummings says O'Neill knows more
about counsel fees connected with the game
than the game itself O'Neill can always be
found at the game.
William G.. Stablnecker of New York goes to
the game in carriage. He delights to tell
the ladies about the umpile's decisions and
when he erred in favor of the home club.
Charlie Mason of Illinois never goes to the
game except when the Chicagos are here.
Guenther of Wisconsin, Ford of Michigan,
| and Merriman Of New York generally make a
pool on the game. Guenther believes the
Washingtons will be first If the season lasts
long enough.
Thomas w. Grimes of Georgia has attended
| nearly every game this season, His judgment
is good aud he has been very successful in
naming the winning club