Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-23
GIRLS TO PLAY BALL.
A Team Composed of Pittsburg
Young Ladies Being Organized.
GOOD MATERIAL TO SELECT FROM.
Many Of the Girls Enthusiastic Over the
Open Air Pastime.
GLAD TO ESCAPE FROM INDOOR WORK.

An advertisement has appeared for two
days in the local papers asking for 20 young
ladies, between the ages of 16 and 20, "to
travel with show company" The adver-
tisel is Mr.. W. S. Franklin, of Chicago, who
is the manager of the young ladies' base
ball team, now playing in this city. 1t is
his intention to put upon the road second
team. composed of Pittsburg girls, and it is
to secure material for this team that he has
advertised as noted.
Mr.. Franklin was visited by IL young
women last evening at the Hotel Crescent
They desired to 60 upon the stage. Most of
them were surprised when told that they were
wanted for baseball team. To some of
them, however, the idea was agreeable.
Mr.. Franklin said, after the young ladies
had departed: 81 feel quite sure that canget
the material here for good club. The
young women who came to me this evening
are from various stations in life. One of
them told me that she was a bookkeeper;
another said that she was waiter In
hotel and was tired of that work; third
said that she lived at home with her parents,
and that they were willing for her to join
some travelling organization. Yes, some OF
therl were surprised when told them what
was wanted.
SOME AFRAID THEY CAN'T PLAY.
''They thought they were wanted to sing or
dance or do something on the stage, but
feared that they could not play ball. Some
have had experience on the stage as super
numeraries, while others have had none.
A majority of those who came were willing
to play baseball. Some of them were de-
lighted with the idea, and said they would
rather engage in outdoor sport than in
theatrical work.
"Of course 1 give attention to the looks
of the girl. prefer those who have a good
figure and a comelv face. 1 don't want
skinny girls or girls who are too fat.
want them to make good appearance on
the ball field. ! find some girls who are
not beautiful who yet make good ball
players.
'It is not difficult to teach them to play
baseball. As rule they take great in
terest in the game, and play earnestly.
sometimes find young women who have had
experience at the game. Of those who
called on me this evening there were two
who said that they had played ball good
deal, and they were quite enthusiastic as to
their ability. When 1 have secured Is or
20 young ladies who are willing to play,
and are satisfactory in appearance and
health, will take them out to some ball
ground, some of these afternoons, and let
them have chance to show what they can
do. I can soon tell whether or not they
will make players. and will pick out
nine.
IT IS A woMAN'S GAME.
"Why shouldn't the girls play ball? 1t
was originally a woman's game, and the
men have stolen it from them. Go to any
country school, and at noon you will see the
girls playing ball with great vim and relish.
1t is the best sport they could engage in.
Open air sports were popular among the
women of ancient Greece and Rome. |
Stewart, in his History of Ancient and |
Modern Games and Pastimes,' says that |
the women OF England played ball over 800 |
years ago, and were encouraged in it by the |
nobility. He says. also, that the first ball |
,ver constructed for playing was made by
ady of distinction and presented to the
zing's daughter"
1t is Mr.. Franklin's distinction to have
organized the first female baseball club in
America, the one which was formed in New
York ten years ago last spring. He is try
ng to secure here number of female BIZ
cyclists, and met three of them yesterday.
de considers Pittsburg a good city in
which to find athletic women.