The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-06
THE COMING CANE.
Giants from the Westmorsland and Colts
from the Common wealth.


Just imagine sober-minded set Of bank
directors. railroad attorneys. wholesale mer.
chants and business men generally discussing
with enthusiasm the value of earned rupsS
and base hits" and forgetting the state Of
the stock market or the price of pork and
you will have fine idea Of what nightly oc.
ours at the Westmoreland and Common wealth
club-houses. The ball game on Saturday be-
tween the teams from these organizations ID
at present the ali-absorblng topic of specula-
ton and conversation. and aside from the in-
terest taken the gentlemen who will go upon
the field are undergoing the pangs ef dislo-
Gated fingers. barked skins snd aching
arms. Arnica is terribly up But with
heroism that Is sincerely commendable these
gentlemen are leaving their Office duties and
creating sn attraction for a laudabie charity
the Sheltering Arms Hospital.
They deserve credit for their efforts, for it
is really not the most enjoyable thing in the
world 10 stand out in a fcd and attempt 70
stop modern baseball that is coming to you
with the force of an improved cannon-ahot.
IL Is all very easy To sit in the grand-stand
and say that short stop ought to have gotten
that out, or that left field with the sun full
IN his face. ought not to have muffed that fly:
but when you are engineering about one hun.
dred! andlfifty pounds avoirdupois about tho
field the graceful stopping OF "grounders'
and high flies" Immediately becomes
more difficult feat than the making
out trial balance or buying short on
wheat. Then. too the proceeding OF striking
at a pitched ball Is another puZzng perform
ance. especially when the pitcher curves tho
sphere about four times before 10 crosses the
plate. Ii looks easy. but Just about the time tho
batsman slams the bat around on the innocent
air the catcher has caught the ball and sails ID
down TO second When the sphere leaves tho
pitchers hand everything smiles with "A glad
some grin of PROMISE but the leather has an
uncertain way of reaching the catcher. IL
starts out straight enough. but seems 10 be-
come Jagged IN "a moment, and Its course for
several feet describe a circle through the am
bient air. Next IL ricochets with a sort of y
three-glde polka tempo and finally lands in
tho catcher's hands Just about the time the
batsman has made up his mind that he'll
knock the cover off, He is awakened ruth
lessly from his ftful dream by the stentorian-
toned umpire. who trtely remarks; "One
strike"
There are other dlscouraging phases in Q
ball game so IL is but Just that the eighteen
club members who will appear on the field DO
lauded accordingly.
Socially the game will be ono of the most
fashionable events of this season. There IL
every reason 10 believe that l. 500 people will
witness the contest and Richmonds entire
social world will be among those present.
The blue and white Of the Commonwealth
and the orange and black of the Westmore-
lands will hutter gracefully from many o
maiden's dress aud the supporters OF these
teams will have yards of the ribbons Haunting
IN the breezes.
Tickets can be purchased of the club men,
bers. West, Johnston i Co., OF Schen's up.
town store.