The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-28
A BAD BASEBALL MESS.
TArE md GRAVES WE'RE MINED UP
Aftsr Seven Innings the Crowd Decided II
Too Dark TO Play-Dav!s Proved to
be a Splendid Pitcher.

The 800 spectators at Island Park yester
day afternoon trampled over the apology
for q bridge at o'clock last evening in any,
thing but happy frame Of mind. They
had gone over 20 tho backgrounds to see the
Nirginias and Forest Hin teams play. but
after seven innings they left the field dis.
gusted. and many made solemn oaths that
never again would they 20 - witness a
ball game m this city.
lt was only after the most earnest solicit
tations 81 players and spectators that Mr.
W. A. Graves consented 20 umpire the
game. and he even then did 50 reluctantly.
Mr.. Graves remarked that he did not like
the idea of being O target for tho leers Of a
multitude. Perhaps 10 would suit him
better 20 havoa plush chair with soft sprnpy
cushions about n. set just behind the batters
box, and for him % sit there during the
game with q telescope and q book OF rules.
Something certainly should be done IL il
painful 20 see Mr.. Graves chasing about the
field like o boy gathering butterfly speci-
mems and tho next moment see him
standing Just behind Luck or Foster
rackinC his brain tissue % determine
whether the ball pitched thirty Sc
conds before was balln or a
strike Why don't the management build
little place inst IN front of the press gal
lery and give SquireGraves pair of strong
spectacles aud guide book Not that be
would ever need them, but then It looks
like be went behind the bat 20 umpire and
not 20 exclaim voluntarily every few
moments Mr. Speaker, where was 1 at;'
THAT BAD MAN.
The rude, bad man who plans houses and
sits on the bleacheries and "cussesn did
wrong yesterday when he collected ten
cents 20 purchase Mr.. Graves a book Of
rules about baseball Mr.. Graves knows
the rules, at least he knows all OF them eX-
cept those appertalulng TO balks, and be-
sides the bold. bad man on the bleacheres
should have collected a quarter.
Tate made himself very obnoxious yes
terday by his continual kicking" Patrons
do not go % Island Park 10 witness how
much he can do, but 20 see ball games, and
If all Of them are % end like the one of
yesterday then It's about time TO rent the
grounds ont 20 a band of untutored saw
ages and let them have war dances and
hair-pulhng every afternoon 10 the gratif-
cation of the assembled multitude.
TOO DARK.
After the most eXasperating playing Of
seven innings. darkness began 20 gather,
and then the fun began. IL teams who play
ball 90 Island Park would show.sOme life 10
getting 10 their places IN the field. and also
put some speed in them when they are due
at the bat patrons of the game would be
c0nteuted. AZ II is. there Is laZlness and
slowness perceptlble on all sides and the
bleaching occupants are forced TO patiently
sit and watch tho players exercise their
own sweet viii at any time they choose
After seven innings yesterday every spec
tator agreed that 10 was too dark 60 play.
and Mr. Graves the umpire so decided.
tie then changed his opinion, then reversed
his decision and the game ended IN
hullabaloo that was awful.
The game was quite exciting at times. but
possessed not many brilliant plays. The
Nirginias new pitcher did splendid
work. He was a trihe nervous but saved
the game twice at critical times, and two of
the hits from his delivery were what might
be known as scratch hits He is great
addition 90 the Virginia team. The score
was as follows.