The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02

and Lynchbgrg. or Norfolk and Peters
exhibition OF the game than to witness
"A long. tIresome. bunglesome contest In
which Richmond comes out on top. :.
II don't believe the people OF Richmond
VIII ever patroniZe any team unless mere
Is organization rnd system by which
clever ball can be enjoyed. You remem-
Der that when Richmond put poor team
In the Held during the first half OF the
season the attendance seldom ran up
higher than twelve hundred, frequently
much less. as soon as the team got a
much needed shaking up. and some good
material substituted for men who weren
fast enough to Keep up with Tate ana
Foster, why, the patronage rapidly IN
creased, until lately the number or spec
tators range from one thousand to three
thousand; Seldom less than eighteen hun
a lover OF baseball will not attend re-
gularly an awkward exhibition OF the
game. rhey become fretted and even
disguised. and sometimes take solemn
oath not TO be seen at the ball park until
some changes have been made in the
makeup Of the club
HAVE BEEN FAIRLY TREATED.
DO YOU think the Richmond people
have been given good exhibitions OF the
same this year., 1 , as6ed. ,,ev have
Since the first OF July the boys have
PLAYED very good ball. and the manage
inent realized the fact that II was 10
their advantage 20 have good ball play
ers. | think when one takes Into consid-
Grafton the Disadvantages under which
ths MANAGEMENT OF the Richmond team
labOred, and also takes account or the
many fatalities and uncontrolabie ms.
fortunes such as sickness on the part or
the players at critical times, which have
befallen the Richmond team, the patrons
have no grounds whatever to complain.
The record which the home team mace
hANs h. sN..- AsHt NJ
fourteen In the face Of a number OF diff
culties was really nothing less than phen-
Omina1. You can't expect a team TO win
always. / think the boys did great
work"
WHY TIP GAM. is POPULAR.
How do You account for the fact that
base ball continues year after year TO
be the most popular out-of-door game?"
Wei, there are two reasons for IL.
First. people Ike 20 get together In a
days hard work: TIE average base
ball park is located out on the out skirts
Of the city, where one can get a puff OF
fresh air, after sweltering In a Sitting
and watch each other demonstrate their
feelings. I've often argued i'm my mind
whether II was more pleasure to watch
a brilliant play on a ball field. or to wit
ness the effect on the crowd.
Then there's another reason, which
after all is the real one. Base ball is n
scientific game. Now. foot ball has some
science, too. but the heaviest team, when
other things are anywhere near equal
VIII usual win. Foot ball depends
more upon brute strength than base
bail tell YOU. IT takes no ordinary
man 10 play base ball we'll He has not
only got to be quick and active. but he's
Eot 70 exercise his judgement. and very
hurrledly at that a man, 10 play bali.
must think fast When a runner is
caught between first and second bases.
ana another man between third base and
ne nome plate at the same time. why.
there's got 10 be some quick thought
as well as quick work 10 do the proper
thihs else both men will reach the desir-
ed point. Base ball requires a deal OF
nea 5 work Quick judgement, discretion,
a an an that must BE put into practical
shape IN flash. There is ample room
i0r mead work at the bat as well as in
me Held. It's no poker game where
cnhhce nredominates. nor horse race
Where Jockeys are brbed. and others
thmperer with. It's matter Of thought
cVinR'hei with hard work and training
rms is. IN my poinion, why the game
IS so popular and will continue 10 be
popular 50 long as the people admire
the exhibition Of feats that require
science properly applied.