Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-06

doubtless be one.
Captain Ben. Harrison's baseball giants
are not dead, nor do they sleep, but cold
weather. of necessity, causes them to
creep into their holes and pull the holes in
after them. for it is no fun grabbing
at hot liners and cannon-shot flies
when the air is raw and chilly.
The "cranks" are cranks no longer
they have buttoned up their coats and are
now football maniacs. College colors
ornament their clothing, and all that marks
their identity is the old-time yell of glee
or woe. which will ever resound on sportive
occasions. when they adorn the bleach
cries. The Giants have just received
beautiful pennant from the Spalding
people, and they treasure the prize highly,
for it is O reminder of their manv victo-
rles. During the season Just gone by the
Virginiss Gas they are called in good So
ciety) won six out of eight Iri-City League
games and two out of three from the
"Varsities." They both won and lost one
from the Baltimore professionals, and had
like fate when they met the Peters
burgs. They conquered the Elbas one
game. and won two and dropped two in
Lynchburg, while they likewise drubbed
the Bedford City. the Richmond College,
and the Manchester teams in exhibition
contests.
Although the Giants were not organized
for money making purposes, but simply as
a pleasure club for the young business
men who compose the nine, they have
kept their eve on finances, and last season
they came out about $500 ahead. After
each game half of the net gate receipts
were divided among the players, while the
.l,,n in, ha and 6tQ-
tributed at the end OF the season. The at
tendance at the games last season was
very good, all things considered, and the
prospects for the coming summer are
quite bright. Mr. Harrison thinks that
base ball can be conducted on q successful
basis in this vicinity If the managers are
careful about expenses. He rather opposes
the idea of State league, as most of the
PLAYERS would find 1t impossible to leave
their business. but thinks the Petersburg
team should come in the TRICKY League.
The Virginia nine, who have recently been
playing in the Cocksde City, are not the
Harrison Giants, although they are resi-
dents of this city.
1t Is certainly amusing to hear the CON-
ments which the "msniacs make when
they attend the football games at Island
Park. They really think the sport is much
rougher than 1t is, and although the
game is not Just the thing for a glass man
to participate in, still 1t IS by no means so
destructive to the players as it looks.
Most of the wounds which the con-
testants receive are only slight external in
juries. which draw much gore, but produce
little injury. A gentleman who saw the
VARSITY" tigers madly rush into the
FRAY with the Sewsnee kickers a few
DAYS ago. fervently exclaimed. THANK
Heaven, was too young to 60
into the war. and am too old to play foot
ball" There were lots of others who
looked upon the matter just as he did. but
after all they did not have one half as much
fun as the members OF the two eleveps.
BY the way, the greatest thing
in the football line which will
occur in Richmond this season is the
coming contest between the "'Varsities
and the Trinity team, of North Carolina.
Last year the Tarheels polished up the
earth with their Virginia opponents. but
If they do ii this year it will bq on very
cold day and while the thesS)meter Is
hugging zero very closely. game will
take place some time during tts last part
of this month. and its result will be awaited
with eager interest.