Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-09
A Communication.
SkowHEeAs, August I, les

Editor OF fFe heNHeecf JCHfHNt
While We appreciate fully the dislike
editors have of having carried on through
their columns a serimmage Of words over
any such matter as base ball game, We
cannot in justices to ourselves let the com
munication appearing in your columns on the
9Th inst, over the signature or VIM. oBrfen
pass without reply, but we will be brief as
possible He says that only through courtesy
was the nine invited to stay over night his
is entirely false, the understanding previous
IN the game was that we were 10 be given
three meals and lodging, as IT was an I'M
possibility 10 get TO Skowhegan before the
morning after the game. You viii remem-
Der the game was played in the
afternoon, and no train goes TO Skowhegan
before the freight that gets here at ! \. NJ,
and had we left Augusta before we did MI
O'Brien would have paid our hotel bill at
Waterville instead of getting special rates at
Augusta. and he did nothing more than the
letter of the agreement Now for the Skow-
beyan game he kindly writes that notice for
the benefit of other clubs. Our team has
plaved ball for three years without break,
and in that time nave met almost every ciuD
of consequence in Maine, have played two
| different clubs from Boston, visited by IN
vltation St John, \. b. and have never had
a particle of fuss OF misunderstanding with
a single club uutil came II contact with
| Mr. O'Brien and we will leave our reputa-
ton in the hands of the public, although we
| might add the remark of one manager, that
| in all his trips he was used the best in Skow-
hogan and the worst in Augusta.
Mr.. O'Brien gives one the impression from
his letter that there not sufficient time
to play a game of ball before our train time.
As matter of fact our games are called at
/ D "A 81, = hnt hos
on his nine were so pushed for time was,
they, under his direction, tried to play bluff
or honestly played baby. After they got OH
the grounds and everything in readiness for
the game they kicked Oh the Umpire Mr.. Z.
| ). Lindsay of Norridgewock an unquesttoned
authority on ball. and after he had called them
10 the bat, they packed up their bats, put on
their coats and left the ground. After seeing
we had stuff, and perhaps being ashamed they
finally consented TO return and play we con
senting, to allow them an Umpire, and selec
ting one ourselves Two of the three whom
they presented would not under any consid-
Grafton serve, and the third who was already
to start, when gentleman stopped him ow
ing to the fact that he had been betting on
the result of the game against the Skowhe-
gans and they iii ally selected Mr.. William
| son OF Norrdgewuck-so much for lost time.
Now what MIR. Halves told him was, i'll case
they could not catch the train at Skowhegan,
on account of the game, he would they
had teams to go to Waterville. The game
finished in time for the nine to catch forty
trains One of our nine, W. B. Donovan,
lives in Watervlle. He had time to change
his clothes, take bath, get supper and then
had to wait some time at the depot for the
train to start and had 1t not been for pure
meanness, the Augusta nine would have done
| the same, as several of them stood there aud
would not get ON when the train started. As
to his going to Mr.. Leach on the veranda the
fact was Nh Leach went directly from the
meeting 10 the Hotel and saw Mr.. OBrien
| Immediately, inside the house and told him
the result of our meeting and it was not an
unpleasant task from the fact that it was n
thing we were forced to do by the domineer-
ing, disgusting spirit of the management.
In closing we will only add that IN the mat
ter of paying expenses we have always tried
to conduct ourselves honorably in this matter
and are not behind even the Augustus and
IN the present instance the Treasurer was
asked his bill and it was paid exactly as per
terms of agreement and his receipt is now
held by our Treasurer. In addition to this
he was given cash to procure luncheon at
Waterville which he afterwards returned as
they had supper here.
Now Mr.. Editor the Skowhegan Base Ball
Club is composed of gentlemen who with two
exceptions live in Skowhegan and are not
hired players. They play ball and we arrange
and see the games simply from a love of the
sport. Betting is thing We strongly dis
countenance and an exhibition of kicking and
fuss such as was given by the Augusta man
agement last Saturday is hurtfu in the ex-
IRENE. We felt we were wronged at their
ground and what facts we have learned since
prove that we were and that it was intended
we should be, and for that reason we held all
our rights here. We claim the first game
here on Sat. was forfeited and will ascertain
whether OF not it was without delay. The
second game there i. no question about and
has only strengthened our belief that our
nine is the best nine in the State, and also
that the Augustus can play ball. Priest
showed that his swelling" was of kind that
didn't enlarge the ball, and while Underwood
is not effectual against the Giants" he can
pitch about as good ball as any man in Maine.
The Resolution adopted by the Skowhegan
Athletic Association last night will show we
of but one citizen who does not endorse our
action and say, 1T served them right p"
Asking your indulgence in this matter,
We are, Very respectfully,
{. A. MARsToN, n.
THos. III. ANDERSON, -
EDw. LEACH, 1h ~, mega"
Gro. W. HAYES, -,'hieue