The Washington times., 1894-06-04
BASEBALL AND RACE GOSSIP
Plenty Of Outdoor Amusement for the
Coming Week.
CLEVELAND AND CINCINNATI
0hio's Representatives in the League Will be
at Nationel Park, Each Playing Three
Games-There Will be More Circular Rae
ing on the Island Track.

state will play in Washington. For the first
three days Cleveland will be here with the
other Tebeau, and Thursday, Friday and
Saturday the Cincinnatis with Comiskey and
Arlie Latham, will appear at National Park.
So it seems that the Senators will have hard
work for six days. The representatives from
the Lake city are playing fine ball, and If the
home team can duplicate its work over the
Pittsburgs with the Clevelands it will do a
great thing. The contests in the latter end OF
the week, it is fair to presume. will not be SO
hard, if one can measure the two Ohio clubs
by their positions in the league race.
Thus far the Western clubs have failed to
show that dash in ball PLAYING the accounts
of games west of the Alleghenies contained.
The Eastern teams in nearly every case have
demonstrated that they have warmed up to
the occasion and at the close OF the first week
they have clearly maintained their superiority
over their rivals of the West. And even the
Washngtons, who have been content with the
tail end, have kept pace with the apparently
stronger teams In the Eastern divisions. In
five days the home team has won five out of
six games-a feat accomplished by one other
club the Brooklyns. This is certainly cred
precated not only by Manager Schmelz and
President Wagner, but by the many rooters
OF the Senator'S
Washington pitchers are apparently in good
trim, and it is only fair to expect good work
in the box the coming week. Mercer has de-
veloped into good twirler, and his copitch-
ers have also shown reasonably fair work in
the box. 1t Is. however patent to n careful
observer that the fielding of several is not up
to that point which wins admiration from
the audience. THE TIMES believes that more
work can be done in the fielding line, espec-
tally rs to backing up the basemen. This is
an important essential in n game OF ball. and
it ought not t6 be overlooked by Mr.. Schmelz.
OF course this suggestion will be put into
play some time or other. but 1t should come
soon. as the work has been woefully de-
ficient in this respect.
One other suggestion it is to be hoped will
be carried into effect by the powers that be-
and that is little more hurry in coming in
and going to the field. The Senators are not
the only club that is slow In this line, as 1t has
been noticed that some of the visiting teams
are also lax. The necessity of little haste
in this respect is more apparent in Washing
ton than in many other cities. Here games
are not called until 4.3O, and when there Is
delay on the field. it makes it very late for
the attendants in returning from the games.
1t goes without saying that any slowness in
game of ball is tedious. Once accustomed to
it the players will trot in and out and their
action will be much admired. Much time
can be saved. too, in having the next batter
ready, and not wait until his turn and then
hunt for his bat. Try this, Mr.. Schmelz, and
make everybody happy.
The race meeting on the Island course will
be resumed this afternoon with good card
of five races. Owing to the general demand
on the part OF the patrons, a majority of the
events viii be run on the regular track,
thereby affording the people an opportunity
to enjoy the sport. Secretary Tomkins stated
yesterday the horse owners preferred the
sprint affairs and ut times it was impossible to
arrange an Attractive programme unless the
owners were catered to. The patrons deserve
consideration. and if the horsemen understood
they would be expected 20 enter longer races
there should be no difficulty in getting them
to do so. The chute is all right. but the spec
tators are unable to see much of a race out of
it.
One OF the most serious handicaps to the
meeting has been the lack OF good jockeys,
and there are but half a dozen boys at the
track who know how TO finish. Some OF the
stable boys who regularly get mounts are
afraid of the turns, and Beyley is striking
example OF this class This boy has ridden
in good style out OF the chute. winning three
times on Syracuse. But on the regular track
he loses his nerve and cannot be induced to
take chance in the bunch. He may i'm
prove but will never be jockey until he gets
over his nervousness.
The Island course is SO pleasantly situated,
and its appointments are so complete, that it
receives nothing but praise from visitors and
horsemen. The stables are located only a
few feet from the river bank. and there is
fringe of trees which afford both shade and
breeze for man and beast alike. The boys
throng the bank in the heat of the day. and
do not hesitate to take n dip in the Potomac,
thereby keeping themselves clean, something
out of the common run with stable boys.
As is generally the custom for the first week
or two at the opening OF the racing season
there has been constant change of form
among the flyers, and as result it is often
hard to get line on horse. But now that
the meeting has progressed so far the talent
viii! be able to pick winners with some degree
of regularity. and it will soon become neces-
sary to make the conditions OF races so to
equalize the chances of the various entries
1t will be noticed in to-days card that in the
third race Queen d'or, Centre Fire Lotion.
Fernwood. and Freezer are all winners, while
In the last event Detroit Eeime, Con Lucy.
Imp. Night Light. Oberlin. Blackburn. and