, 1891-05-03
SUNDAY BASEBALL.
W. 1. Harris Talks on Several Interest
Ing subJeets-The Seasons Opening.

W. 1. Harris Talks on Several Interest
ing suhJects-The Seasons Opening.
The first week OF the American associa.
ton was quite successful financially and
otherwise, although several games were
lost by bad weather.
The clubs strung themselves out, with
Louisville, the champions, at the head
with five victories out OF seven. st. Louis,
Baltimore and Boston each won four out OF
six, Kelly's team being at the bottom with
two victories, and both won without Kelly
in the game. Indeed he has not played for
several games. a proceeding which must
annoy his directors very much, unless he is
i'll or injured.
The Cincinnati american associatiOn)
team is not having a superabundance Of
luck. The grounds being prepared for
them at Cincinnati are not ready, and the
opening games scheduled there nave been
transferred 70 Columbus. These games
would have been in direct conflict with the
opening series OF the National league, 50
that after all the unfinished grounds may
be a good thing, and there is just the glim-
mering Of a suspicion that Manager Ban
croft fixed things 50 a. to avoid a conflict
The hardest blow, however, is the loss Of
Sunday games. Perhaps they can play
them somewhere over in Kentucky, but
Cincinnati was the mine. The mayor, who
u the same oIlltlht VINO stopper them IN
1859, insists that he will enforce the laws
Of Ohio and the city ordinances, and will
not allow ball games TO be played in Gin
Cinuati on sunday. The profits from these
games have always been very large, and
Messrs. Bancroft and Kelly had relied upon
them 70 pay a goodly portion OF the clubs
expenses
This question OF Sunday ball playing Is
one that has been discussed from nearly
every point, It affords amusement for
II great many people whose only day for
rest and recreation is Sunday. II it could
be shown that this class formed the bulk
Of the crowds 1t wOuld be n strong argu-
ment, but such is not really the case. Over
50 per cent, OF those who attend Sunday
games could 20 weekdays-at least once n
week-if they desired. Not over 10 per
cent. consists Of the class whose only day
of Is Sunday. The balance is a miscel-
laneous class, who are looking for fun and
beer. and while not ball cranks exactly, try
to find It at the ball game. Morally. OF
course, Sunday ball is all wrong. and yet
II has been, is, and probably always will
be popular in certain localities. But, IL
Is tough on the players and the reporters,
who are obliged to go aud lose about the
only day they can find to spend with their
families.
The National league season has barely
got "A start, but tine hhrd fought games
show what Il close contest the pennant race
IS likely to be. On paper the weakest team
Is Cleveland, and yet Cleveland shows up
strong. name the New Norks 70 win the
prize eventually by reason Of their batting.
cam work and batteries. Pittsburg has "A
team Of wonderfully good batters, equal to
any In that respect except New York, and
their pitching talent. particularly II they
have signed King, which is still an open
question, is good enough 10 make them
highly respected. | should say that they
would make "a good showing for the west.
The other teams are liable TO be. punched
ali summer.
One OF the evils now threatening baseball
II these circus ncrobatic sid shows Of ques-
enable women who attempt to play ball.
There are now two teams In the east, organ.
lied by a mar named Franklin. lie has
been unable to hire reputable ball grounds
in New York. He did succeed by a trick
in getting the Manhattan field, but The
Mail and Express exposed him aud the
dates were Cancelled. A year ago this same
party played a game on a sunday at Long
Island City that proved a disgraceful affair.
There IS no room in baseball for women
except rs spectators. There they shine
with delightful brilliancy. In short clothes
on tbs diamond they make n travesty OF
baseball amid the ieers and insults OF the
mob. w /. HARRIS.