The Washington times., 1894-05-07
Manager Schmelz's Recent Complaints
: Answered BY Conservative Patron.
PLAYERS SHOULD PLAY BALL
Need for the Manager and Men to Pay Atten-
ton to Winning Games and Thereby De-
serve tho Support Of the Public-Three
Hard Weeks Before the Local Team.


share toward supporting the club, and Man
ager Schmelz has already expressed such
views through the medium Of an interview
published In an afternoon paper. Any one
who has been a close reader of the base ball
news published in the local papers since the
season began cannot find fault with the cor
dial feeling shown on all sides to the home
club Every possible excuse has been urged
for the loss of games and there has been no
desire on the part of any local writer to i'm
pair the usefulness of any player by harsh
criticism. To such an extent have the papers
gone that umpires have been held responsible
for some half dozen defeats and but little said
about the poor playing of the team cutting
much of figure in the loss OF these games.
As far as THE TIMES is concerned. it is the
purpose to treat the club in a fair manner,
but at the same time be fair to the public and
the readers of this paper. There have been
several communications received commenting
upon the club, both as regards the manage
ment and the playing strength of the team.
Every patron of the game is entitled TO be
heard, and In conformity with this view the
following article is published as fair sample
of many others. The author is well known
to the sporting editor of this paper, and his
name will be furnished to manager Schmelz II
the latter so requests.
''In the Saturday issue of the Evening Star
Manager Schmelz, of the local baseball club,
complains ofthe apparent lack of pride for
his team. and seems to think the town is
against the home club. To n certain extent
Manager Schmelz is correct. People are be-
coming convinced that the owners of the
Washington Baseball Club are merely rum
ming the club as a matter of business, not
caring whether the club makes any showing
or not in the percentage column. They do
not take enough pride in the club themselves.
They are the ones who are responsible for any
lack OF interest in the home club.
Manager SchmelZ says:
1t is hard enough to get together a winning
team when you have the solid support of the
patrons Every man in the profession under
stands the difficulty of playing in Washington,
and it is an undisputed fact that If a good player
should be released by "A club at the present time
he would prefer signing with any other team
i'll the league than the local one. 1t is almost
impossible for our organization TO secure the
services of n good man
mo doubt it is true that players released
do not care to cast their lot in Washington.
1t is a well-known fact that almost every
good first-class ball tosser the team club has
ever had has been sold to other clubs for
large consideration. which goes to show the
Wagners are after the filthy lucre. are rum
ming the club from business standpoint the
same as a real estate dealer VINO buys real es-
tate waits until its value is greatly advanced
and then sells at large margin.
This manner Of conducting the home club
has been going on for several years. and it is
a wonder the games are as well patronized as
they are"
lIeekin and Farrell were sold to New York
for two men not their equal and $500. The
Wagners did not care so much for the men
who were exchanged for one of the best bat
teries in the league; it was the 81, 500 they
were after. and so it has been with every
player of note at most that Washington has
had. Killen was released to Pittsburg. and
Danny Richardson WIS dispensed with. every
time nearly there being money considera-
ton in the Wagners' favor.
These are all facts known to the patrons
of baseball here, and no doubt caused the
small attendance at games the latter part Of
last season.
IF there was enough pride in the owners of
the home club to get together a winning club
regardless OF little expense, and show a de-
sire on their part to please the patrons Of the
game. and also to hold good man when
they get one, it would be appreciated, but all
that seems TO be wanting.
washington has some good players. but
the majority of them are just entering fast
company and have not had the experience of
older men. thus they lose their heads and go
all to pieces just as frequently almost rs a
wild throw or some other error occurs. They
will be all right in time but Washington must
not be the kindergarten for the league"
"Again Manager Schmelz says:
ave are using every endeavor to give Wash
ington a winning bali club. but that will be i'm
possible unless We receive the same loyal sup
port from the patrons that is such prominent
feature elsewhere, and is so utterly lacking
here.
"The large crowds which have been turning
out TO the games show the great hold which this
pastime has again taken. There is now no rea-
son why the people, having once more taken an
interest i'll the game, should not continue to
do So
washington is full of baseball cranks. and
have so far turned out to see the games, there
being no less than I.500 Mt any game this
season. Mr.. Schmelz, if you can give US a
giltedged article in the way of a good game
once in n while and try and strengthen your
team in the pitchers box. which has always
been weak. we will be with you. On the con-
trary if there is no attempt made in this di-
rection. you must not he surprised if you play
to empty seats. All the fans are tired of see
ing the home club at the tail end year after
year. MEHLLIw."
There are some truths tersely told in the
above article and answer the plant of the
manager. As far as the present team is con-
cerned there is no doubt considerable ex-
cuse, for its poor record so far is due from
the fact that great amount OF experimenting
was necessary on account of an excess of ma
terial. The pruning knife has already been
applied, and now but seventeen of the twenty
g. .h.rn
five pitchers, three catchers, and nine in and
outilelders. Sullivan and Ward are orna-
menting the bench. and it is a question
whether both or either will be retained. But
now that the championship season is almost
three weeks old. it Is about time the men
should be striking their gait. and if their
team work does not improve the most radical
of fans cannot but admit there is little pros
pect of the club occupying respectable po-
sition in the pennant race.
This week the club will play but two games
at home, to-day and Wednesday, with the
Orioles. Tomorrow the team will go to Bal
timore for game and on Thursday, Friday,
and Saturday will play in New York. Next
week they play three games in Brooklyn, two
in Baltimore, and are at home May ls for one
game with Baltimore. After that they 20
s'"sAy iiohAS ioA =" WON Pioy III
phia and Boston and return here to meet the
western clubs in a series of games. From
this it will be seen the club has some pretty
hard work cut out for it. and the manager
and boys want to get together. pay no atten-
ton to fancied newspaper attacks, and play
ball. By their deeds they will be judged. and
it all rests with the club to make good rec
ord. If the men play good ball they will re-
ceive due credit and the MANAGEMENT will de-
rive benefit therefrom