Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-31
THE FIRST OF THE SEASON.
Saturdays Ball Game and What 1t
Foreshadows.

Saturdays Ball Game and What 1t
Foreshadows.
RoCHEsrERs - GOOD PLAYING By THE HOME
TEAM-HILL A SURPRISE AT rHIRp-SorEs OF
THE GAME.
Washington's ball club acquitted itself obly
on Saturday by defeating the Rochester Amer
lean Association team by the score of 6 to ..
1t was contest between youth and old age,
the former being represented by the colts of
the home club, who had never played together
before, and the latter by the old stagers from
northern New York, men who have played ball
for years, some Of whom have long league
records. whose names are by-words with the
baseball enthusiasts. The showing made by
the youngsters against the veterans was an ex-
cellent one especially in view Of the fact that
it was their first game in the same diamond as
a nine. while the visitors have been pracsicing
together for some time. There were
not many people present at the game,
the keen. sharp wind preventing more
age to Capitol PARK But each one of those
people left the grounds firm in the belief that
Ted Sullivan had succeeded in his efforts to get
together a strong team of young men who Will
make things exceedingly lively in the American
Association this summer. They played very
sharp, snappy game of ball. aud although a
glance at the error column might indicate diff
ferently, they won the game on its own merits.
They managed to make their errors, which
were of the cold-fnger variety mostly. at an
opportune time when they did not count very
much and their hits were just timely enough
to counterbaIance all of the errors. The runs
crossed the plate as follows: One for Rochester
in the first, one for each side in the second,
three for Washington in the third, one for
Washington and two for Rochester in the sixth,
one for Washington in the seventh and one for
Rochester in the eighth. The leads were never
large enough to place the game out OF the field
of uncertainty and the excitement ran rather
high at times.
NOTICEABLE FEATURE
Of the contest was the way in which the men
played together. They shirked nothing, and
although three Of them were ont of position
yet they managed to get considerable of the
semblance of z seasoned club before the game
was over. Bird on second base was all at sea.
lie wen. at the balls as though he was afraid
OF them at first, but warmed up TO his work
later. O'Brien will probably get here i'll time
FOR today's games. as VIII also Gleason, the
latter relieving Riddle at short. Riddle played
good game in streaks, but he threw
badly once or twice. He gave evidences, how
ever, Of developing into first-cIass all-around
player with practice. Mace did not amount to
much in right field. and not much more at the
bat. He may be pitcher, however, but that
will have to be demonstrated.
NOTES OF THE GAME.
Msloney has very easy delivery, a smooth,
clean throw. that does not carry him out OF
the box, while his curves are as deceptive as
the average three-card-monte man. Ted Sulfi-
van says he will stake his reputation ON this
man. and predicts that he will astonish people
before the season closes. He astonished every
body who had heard of his low batting record
in the Texas league by making clean hit over
second in the ninth inning.
Poor Barnie was guyed almost to death by
his associates in the association at the meeting
in New York Friday on account of the defeat
OF his team by the Richmonds the other day
He showed great interest in the probable
strength of the Washingtons this year, but
could learn nothing from Mr.. Hewett, as the
latter said he had never seen them play ball.
The exhibition Of Saturday may interest him. 1t
is said that orcester has a very stong club in
the field this year and there are opinions that
the race Is between that city and Washington
and Baltimore.
The performance Of Belden Hill on third was
a revelation to most Of the audience on Satur-
day. This man has not been much talked
about, and there was general expectation that
he would put up low rate sort Of q game. He
has promise of being one OF the star players of
the team. In the first place he is batter, his
record Saturday being that of four hits with
total OF six bases out Of four times at the bat,
or 100 per cent. He cannot only bat but he
can run, and he made a three base-hit out of a
drive into the left corner that would have salts
fed almost any batter had he reached second.
His field work on third is clean and sharp He
has sober, dignified bearing that has earned
for him the name OF 1.-THE Pars0n," the RESENT
blance being heightened by his habit of dress
off the diamond, being clad all in black clothes,
with a severe collar and black tie. He is
quiet and pleasant in his address and has all of
the manners of a staid man of the cloth
Bsder is going to be the base-runner Of the
team. Out OF his four times at the bat he
made two hits, one on a bunt to third, and
Two Of the runs were made by him. He is
quick TO see an opportunity to rum and takes
advantage Of the least error. His position at
first in preparing to get away from the base
has some Of the movements of Wilmot and
some of the great Stovey. In his position in
center field he is sure death to anything like
fly ball, and as the game progressed the au-
dience got 10 feel about as safe when hits sailed
out to him as they did when Hoy occupied that
territory.
Nicholas impressed the people very we'll. He
handled Maloney without any trouble, not hav-
ing passed ball against him. His throwing
TO second was not exactly up to the highest
standard, but it is to be remembered that he
knew he had man to throw to who had never
played second before, Bird. Nicholas has a
compare him to Silver" Flint. He il as quick
a cat behind the bat. As a coacher be is a
success. He has strong voice that he is not
afraid Of using to its fullest capacity, and his
phrases are OF a unique variety. Once or twice
he forgot his English and dropped into some
foreign language that puzzled the occupants of
the stands greatly.
Phil Baker umpired the game well. He is in
good condition this spring, but as yet has not
signed anywhere. He is a possibility for the
home team. Whistler acted as captain Satur-
day. he did not impress the people particu-
larry well. being just trife statuesque. 1t is
said that ne has slight disposition to be "stuck
OH himself" as the saying goes, and if this be
the case the bleachers will have lots OF fun this
year with him. He struck out three times and
played his position in a rather indifferent
manner.
Rochester tried three battery combinations
on the team without success They were Wells
and Mcclure, Fitzgerald aud Burke and Gala
han and McKeugh. Barr viii pitch today prob
ably against Phillips. Mccoy is laid up with
Lame leg.
Nicholas wanted Hewett to sign him in 1887.
and felt very bad because We would not do
it. He went down south and has been playing
there since. This work has developed him
into an Al catcher.