Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-26
EncOu raging Signs of the Opening of
the National League Base
ball Season;
COMMENT ABOUT TIE LOCAL CLUB.
A Few Leading Features Regarding the
Filming of Manager HanlOn BY
Umpire Powers.
HALL AND FITzsIMMONs CONTEST.
Reasons Why Some Definite Conditions shsuh euiis tn
Championship Titls

Lovers of the national game had nothing
TO complain Of on Wednesday, as far as en-
thusiasm was concerned. The weather was,
no doubt a little bit faulty, but it is long
time since saw so much enthusiasm on an
opening game as 1 did on Wednesday. And
Judging from reports similar state OF
things prevailed at other cities, and in New
York particularly there was an e1traordin-
arv condition of affairs. Well, no doubt,
we were all glad that such was the case, be-
cause many have been the predictions that
have been made of late regarding the inter
est in the national game. Those who tried
to wreck it last year and VINO failed have
steadily maintained that the national inter
est in it was dead. The wish was father to
the thought. But the contests of the week
have proven beyond all doubt that Ameri-
cans still love their national pastime, and
that they like it best when it is free from
strife. There is little room yet to make any
general comments about the various teams.
We cannot judge a season by taking
one or two days into consideration. The
contest will have to continue for weeks yet
before We can venture anything definite on
there are one or two things that can safely
be said. I think. One is that the League
has eight excellent teams. Each team con-
tains frst-class men, and this makes it diff
cult to say how things will turn. But am
extremely pleased to note that our neigh
bors at Cleveland have team that I venture
to say will be a credit to the city. have
come to the conclusion that those who think
Mr.. Leadley's team are anything like marks
will be badly fooled. Nobody deserves sue
cess more than Lesdley, and know Of no
manager whose success would please me
more than bis. He has good lot of men.
About the Home Players.
There are many interesting features con-
necteo with the home team, and venture to
say that local patrons of the game will have
more to say about this team than any other
that has hailed from Pittsburg. Every de-
feat, or at least the vast majority of defeats
of the team, will be the theme of censuring
remarks by thousands of admirers of the
club. This has been the case already, and
there indeed has been little reason for it. l
still hold the opinion that Plttsburg has
one of the best teams in the country, and at
the same time do not expect to see them
make a great showing for several weeks
from other sports, and one particular feat
ure OF 1t is that we may get together nine OF
the best men in the country and still have
somewhat inferior ball team. It is only
when the nine individualities can be
harmonized into unit that we
can expect to have successful
team. 1 have known four of the best rowers
in their day, who, asa crew, could not de-
feat other crews who individually were
4baiH inf m a In
case unity of action was lacking and as a
result the great efforts of one rover i'm
paired the efforts of another. But this
unity and harmony is not only a neces-
sary factor in a successful baseball team,
but steady maintenance of good form is
Just as necessary. A team may be playing
in the most harmonious wav and yet lack
ing their best form. When that is so we
may expect to see that team cutting figure
far below its standard. Well, then, it is
only when we find a team of good players
working in unity and in their best form that
We find a victorious team as a rule. Of
course we NAV find exceptions, but this only
proves the rule, don't think any of us will
disagree on this point. This fact brings US
face to face with our local team, and there
We ind team of great universal merit and
players who are also working in unity But,
(and take notice Of this 'but"), they are
not in form, and when a team is not in form
the best kind of unity does not 60 very far.
The two must go together to win just as sure
as victory is made more certain by putting
good jockey on a good horse. The local
players are not in form, and that is the end
81 it. Mark, | am not entirely referring to
condition, because / make q distinction be-
tween form and condition. We all have
seen many good men in the best of condition
add sIill not in their best form. This is the
case with our local ball team at present.
Some Particular Features.
Several OF our very best hitters are in ex-
cellent condition, but they are not in good
batting form. This in itself is a very serious
drawback to the teams chances of victory.
Nobody for one moment will contend that it
IS the regular form of such men as Beckley,
Browning, Carroll, Miller, Bierbauer and
one or two others to 60 up and face the
pitcher time after time without hitting the
ball safely. Their ordinary form is quite
different to that, and it is only because they
have not yet reached their ordinary stand
ard that they have made such q compara-
lively bad beginning. What great differ
ence 1t would make were these men to get
into their usual batting form. They have
been engaged on that form, and certainly il
cannot have entirely left in one winter. But
there is another feature in the team worthy
of comment, and that is the pitching depart
ment. Here we find matters a little differ
ent and even little worse than
10 the other departments We have
some OF the best pitchers in the country
but they are neither in form or condition. 1
can never think of the pitching department
of the club without becoming a little dis
coura ged. There has been what may call
so much ill-luck connected with the pitch
ING deDartment in the mast that one heoins
TO think there must be "a jonah aboard
somewhere. Stratton is on a sick bed; Bald
win is not in his best form, nor are Stalev
and Calvin. No matter how we may reason
as to the causes of all this, we have the fact
to deal with. And this reminds me of an
other fact that is of interest to pitchers par
ticularly, that is, to take the best of care of
themselves during the winter. But all these
shortcomings which have just noticed in
connection with the club are likely to
disappear on any day, because the club
has in it the very best material, and
naturally the present defeats are only
Of temporry nature If the
patrons of the team will only exercise lit
tie patience and wait until the players have
had lair chance to demonstrate what they
really can do it will be better for all round.
The contest is long one yet. and 1t may be
that many will fall by the wayside before it
IS over. 1t has barely started, and certainly
there is no sound cause of clsmoring against
anybody or any team who start out slowly
IN such long race. 1t may be that we will
have to wait some time before our team gets
into line, but when they do we will be re-
wSrded. If they do not then il win only
prove that form on paper is not worth any
thing at all.
Umpiras and Plavars