Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-22
READY FOR THE FRAY
THE BALTIMORE PLAYERS HERE EoH
AWeEK OF BALL-PRACTICe.
The Season TO Be Opened on maSos
Island Monday-Game with the
College Boys.

Richmonds interest in the natlonni
game of baseball. which has been III
death-like slumber for several years. Is 10
be revived.
The Athletic Association has fitted up
nice park on Mayo's Island, Manager Ne"
has engaged eleven or twelve good players
with two competent batteries to consti-
tute the Richmond club. and dates are De-
ing made with organizations OF such repute
as will attract thousands of spectators.
ALTOGETHER the outlook il bright for
season of rich sport. The grounds are con,
venient TO the citizens of both hichnlohd
and Manchester. and the association Whlch
has taken so much care ana palns ~
making its preparations, starts out Win
every prospect of success.
The season will open, the weather per-
mitting, at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon,
when the Richmond and Baltimore cluOs
will cross bats. II had been arranged Inat
the opening contest of the weeks practice
engagement between these clubs should
be PLAYED this afternoon. but owing 70 the
continued wet weather the rolling OF the
grounds. a part Of which bad Just been top;
dressed with red clay, had TO be suspended
Yesterday, and it will take oil Of a day
work to get the diamond firm ana IN gOou
order. When the grounds shall nave Deeh
gotten we'll rolled and in perfect trlm II IS
thought they will prove a. solid as IL they
had been played on for years.
THE BALTIMoRE CLUB ARRIVES.
Manager William Barnie and some eight
or ten members Of the Baltimore club ar
rived here yesterday morning on the tram
from West Point. having come by the l oTk-
River route, leaving Baltimore thursday
afternoon on the steamer that bears the
name Of the Monumental City. -,
The Sun Of Yesterday IN Its report OF the
departure of the club for Richmond says;
THE YOrk-Eiver steamer Baltimore TOOK
as passengers Manager Barnie. and Stmb.
Shaw, German, Roche. Brooks, Henry.
and Townsend, who were on their way to
Richmond 20 enjoy the benefits OF spring
practice. Ray arrived at the last moment
and Joined the party on the boat. He, is
the same Ray of last year. except that bls
eycs snap and his cheeks are aglow with
signs of health. He explained his delay,
by saving that a severe storm detained
him in New York. and he had to catch the
limited express to get IN on time.
Roche, Stab, and Brooks are to be on
trial during the games In Richmond, and
the other men are to prepare for the active
work Of the championship season when IS
before them. Stab and German reported
for DUTY Yesterday, I'd Mr.. Barnie was
disappointed at the comparative scarcity OF
men. who were expressly ordered to be on
hand i'm time for the boat. German IS
new pitcher. who made good reputation
with the Lowell club last year, and VINO
cannot be signed until April 1st. when he
will be free, according TO baseball law,
from his former employer. He lives at
Aberdeen. Hartford county, and saw Mana
ger Barnie several times. with an evident
anxiety TO strike Gn agreement. lie Will
be given a chance TO show his capabilities.
Stab. the pitcher, formerly Of the Cam
ton (OhiO) club, is n slender youngster,
with dark eyes and heavy dark mOustache.
He presents a good appearance, and Is
rather graceful in his movements. Baker
sent a message from Philadelphia that ne
had missed his train. and would arrive at
Union station at AS +. Nj.
THE FIRST TINE TOGETHER.
"Down in Richmond" continues the
Clu, 1.-THE made-ovcr club will part with
much of its p1oblematicGl aspect, and the
first chance Will be afforded to estimate
with reasonable accuracy Its element oil
strength aud weakness. Most Of the play
crs will work together on the diamond IN
the Virginia capital for the first time; Pre-
mature iudgmont points TO the conclusion
that the team is no weaker than the Louis
vile. Syracuse. Toledo. and Rochester
clubs. of the American Association, or tho
New York. Washington, Cleveland, and
Pittsburgh clubs, Of the National League.
IL is apparently the strongest organization
in the Atlantic Association. and ought to
win for the city Of Baltimore ITS first
baseball pcnuant. Tate. kerlnss, and
Townsend are experienced major league
catchers. Quinn joins the club with, as
pondcrous a set OF possibilities "a Tucker
did when he left the old Ncwarks. Mer-
ricl. was secured with p view of building
up the team when its future seemed to
nestle securely IN the American Assocla-
ton. Powers and Long are hailed on the
Pacific Coast as wonders, and Kay IS q
valuable man to almost any CLUB. Ine
ONLY evident source Of probable weakness
lies in the pitchers, who may turn out bad
" or develop into Kilroys ana Foremans.
All the new players. too. may fall far be
low the expectations of the friends Of the
club. While the practice games IN Rich
mond viii settle nothing they Will at least
afford sufficient material for as definite q
forecast rs the uncertainties Of the national
game Will permit"
THEY PLAY WITH COLLEGE BOYS.
The Baltimore club has its headquarters
AT the American Hotel. Soon after his ar
rival Manager Barnie visited the Mayo's
! ,-i,.ol, ha +btrlxg Ill fn