Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-16

in the box there were many who looked for @
victory. Three years ago, when the Bostons
opened the home grounds, rain prevented three
OF the four games scheduled being played.
Meanwhile the other clubs were being beaten
and were winning games and were dropping
down In percentage, while the Bostons, with
only one game played, stood at the head Of the
list for several days, Sunday intervening. And
while other clubs had lost more games than
Washington. yet this oity's club occupied the
extreme rear. 1t was a case of luck and as
usual Washington got the wrong end of it.
Very few Of the 5000 persons who went out
70 National Park on Tuesday to see the season
opened expected to see the home nine win. As
The STAR has repeatedly said 1t is a strong
nine on paper-that is, tho men are individ-
ually good men, but the team 10 entirely new
one. Few have ever played together, and it
takes time to develop effective team work. The
game Of the season always works to the disad-
vantage OF the weaker team, and it would not
have been surprising had the Nationals put up
yellow" game. But they did not. 1t is true
that some damaging errors were made, but
they were Of such . nature that they are not
likely to occur again. or If again. rarely
Radford was ovor-anxious evidently, to PLAY q
great game against his old club, which caused
him 70 lack the GOODNESS he generally has No
one Who has seen him play here often ever saw
likely to see it again.
Then az to Hoy. The wind was blowing
stitiy from the northwest, making the Judging
Of high flies difficult He ran up on one and
1t vent over his head. On another he did no.
start soon enough and he failed to hold it.
Now. everybody knows that Hoy 10 almost a
sure catch Of a fly ball.
Then a. to Nilligsn's two bad throws to Sec
ond. The wind carried one over Radford's
head The next time to counteract its infiu-
ence ne threw low. 1t vas hard to calculate
it right, and he threw too low
1t happened that the flies hit to the Boston
outfeld we're comparatively easy to handle ex-
cept those hits that got away from them en-
tlrely. Most OF the local clubs hitting we're
liners that went swift and low and were not de-
hected or elevated by the wind. This merely
shows what an element Of luck there is in the
game. thappened to run against Washington
the first day, but it may run against Boston
another day.
The local club. with very little practice Of
any value, could not overcome ill-luck as can
club that has played already together a season
and has bad the benefit of excellent practice
games. No one need feel discouraged over the
bad beginning made by the home club. All
that 1t needs is practice, and that it will get
soon enough.
The batting Of the home team on Tuesday
was an especially enjoyable feature. If they
can size up John Clarkson certainly there are
few II any pitchers in the league they cannot
hit. There were few strike-outs and all hit the
ball sharply.
The Unfolding Of the visitors was excellent.
In fact it was the best vet shown hero by a
Boston league team. Kelly's catching showed
no deterioration, and he is the same old '.Kell,"
though apparently a much subdued one We
failed to see any OF the monkey shines he used
to cut up and he had not bit Of chaff for the
bleachers. His appearance behind the bat in
stead Of Bennett shows that i'll the minds of the
triumvirs at least Kelly's picture has not been
turned toward the wall. New York will have
to bid high if it wants him. He's not has
been" yet and Boston knows it
The absence OF boisterous and senseless
coaching was an agreeable innovation. There
was no vrangling over decisions either, which
made the occasion all the more pleasant How
ever. Gafney's decisions could give rise to no
complaint The only close decision he had
was given to the base runner. who was a WASH
ington player. Gaffney easily holds pre-emi-
hence as an umpire.
The audience was not the least notable feat
ure OF the occasion. The gathering was esti-
mated to be from 5000 to 1000 in number II
was the largest seen at ball game since the
days when the contests took place down in the
White Lot. OF the 40, 900 persons who saw the
opening games on Tuesday the Washington
gathering was the most notable Secretaries
Foster, Rusk and Tracy represented the cabi-
net and there was liberal display Of men,
bers OF both houses of Congress, Judges,
journalists (including newspaper mem and
others prominent in various yocatiops
including Digby Bell, who never misses a good
ball game. and Amelia Glover, the peerless
dancer. Then OF course all the cranks we're
They didn't have much chance to
yell until tho eighth inning and
then their voices we're rather husky
from lack OF use. Gen. Dixwell was on hand
OF course and his clarion-toned .'hi hi" rang
out early In the game. He had the floor all to
himself. The suspicion has been advanced
that the general IL the Boston's mascot He
won't deny the impeachment
Well, altogether, 1t was a great day and one
Tor cranks to discuss for q long time to come.
The results Of the opening games does not
conflict with the sizing up Of the teams printed
In THE STAR on Tuesday. Brooklyn easily de-
feated Baltimore, and Whistler showed him
solf the best man among the Orioles. Chicago
had no trouble in getting away with st. Louis:
SrAR's judgment by defeating Cleveland.
Pittsburg and Cincinnati are evenly matched
teams and possess much the same character
istics. The smoky city boys proved the hard
est hittsrs. Philsdelphia's defeat by New York
was, it must be admitted, unlocked for. Philly
proved weak whore it was generally deemed
very strong-st second. Hallman's damaging
errors lost the game. Yet it is likely that Phil
auelpnla Will win most games from New York
this season than vice versa. Keefe pitched
creditabie game, and il the Phillies' other
pitchers are - good the Quaker city team is
easily better than New YORK. 1t il only o
question Of time when the latter will fall down.
The first series Of tho Nationals with the New
Yorks begins today. Then, after playing two
games with Brooklyn, the boys 90 away
on their first eastern trip and open the New
York grounds.
DIAMOND 6LINTs.
Capt Arson has released three Of his play.
ers, Pitcher Duke, Catcher Murphy and Out.
fielder Lawrence. None of them were swift
enough for the Chicagos, according to Anson's
way OF thinking.
Pitcher Ehret Of the Pittsburg Club has |
been sent home. He is not in condition and the |
was afraid to pitch him. Hanlon |
goes with the team. He IL not permanently |
injured.
some Of the Brooklyn players are q little |
and believe to have made thir- |
teen runs in the first game 10 an i'll omen
Baltimore sun" Tho Bostons are troubled |
by no such feelings.
First Baseman Campion Of the Toledo Club |
has disappeared. He was fined for violating q |
club rule In reporting at his hotel In Chicago |
later than IL pm, and Immediately left, say
ing he would not play under Manager Nc
Gregor.
Cincinnati and PIttsburg played the first ex- /
ira inning championship game Of the season.
All the left field seats at the Phillies' grounds
will be utiiixad for .dr,;..i