Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-25
BUT HE COULD PITCH
BELcHER SURPRISED THE csANKs
AND BEDFORD CITY ATHLETES.
he Was Not Swift, but Puzzled Them
GreatIy--Kain's Great Catches
Twice Saved the Game.

Belcher went into the box for the Forest
Hills yesterday afternoon without even
local reputation as a pitcher. but!he came
out at the close Of the ninth inning with
record of which Clarkson would not have
been ashamed.
The cranks marveled greatly. while the
Bedford City athletes were completely
bafiled. and sought in vain to locate tho
sphere as it gently sped ITS way over the
plate. Belcher's pitching was indeed q
revelation, and nobody was more sur
than Manager Dan. Mathews. who has
brought MS Free-State hedgelings up 20
be an excellent team He tound himself
without a pitcher, and at the last moment
put Becher in the box.
The game throughout was one Of the
best played here this year. The mines were
evenly matched. both batteries did eS-
cellent WORK, the fielding was good, and IN
several instances brilliant. and energy and
activity characterized the movements OF
every man on the grounds.
uATToRF COULD NOT COME.
The threatening clouds in the early after.
noon kept many lovers OF the national
game away from the park. and they missed
a great treat. They will be there to-day
unless il rains in dead nest.
A few minutes before the hour for the
contest to open Manager Mathews received
o telephone message from his pitcher
(nattorf saying that he could not possi-
bly, get of in time and to go ahead with
out him. Luck. the Forest Hills catcher,
was also unable 70 be present. So Belcher
was taken from the field and Foster played
behind the bat There was great disap.
pointment when 1t was learned that
Hattorf would not pitch. and the defeat
of the southslde boys was predicted.
but even the wise cranks and critics
dent always know what Is gong to happen.
The new tosser OF the hOrsehide went IN to
do his best, and 1t was good enough. In
stead of weakening he seemed TO grow
stronger, and was "a fresh, TO all appear
ances, when his work ended as when 1t be-
gan. Some Of the mountain city's heayi7
est sluggers famed the atmosphere. ana
the five hits made were scattering.
Lyston pitched fine game for the visit
Ors. He is puZZling and has tremendous
speed. Belcher on the other hand IS slow,
but his curves are deceptive. The ball.
too ia longer reaching the plate than the
batter thinks. Both of the catchers were
in good form and filled their positions
without a mistake.
KAHN SAVED THE GAME
Barney" Kahn covered himself with
glory by making two brilliant running
catches at critical moments. one of which
saved his side from certain defeat. In the
eighth inning, when there were three men
on bases. he ran all the way 70 the fence
back of third base and captured fly from
Brodie's bat. and put the side out when
two runs would certainly have been
scored had he not captured the sphere.
He made lucky stop IN the seventh, TOO,
and in the ninth ran down into centre
field and gracefully clasped the ball while
he WAS moving at full speed.
Each of the Bradley boys made a clever
catch at fortunate times, and Foster DIS
played fine Judgment IN throwing both 20
first and second. Pop" Tate was in his
best humor, and was quite kittenish on
first. lie would run up and tap the bag
gently and plsyfully with his dainty slip
per, but never lost a chance, and mace one
very pretty double play 10 Leftwich.
The Bedford City nine PLAYED good
game. but had two unfortunate errors to-
gether. which let IN the only run made.
WIgmore is a great second. baseman.
The Virginlas and Bedford-City Athletes
will play at 445 this afternoon, and another
fine game is promised. Boyd. the left
hand man, will pitch for the visitors with
Keefer 10 hold him. The home battery
will be Enright and Foster.