Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-05

any other city in the country" said Mr..
Schmelz. THE town sense to be for the
most part against the home team. while
In every other place the situation Is just
the reverse.
1T Is hard enough TO get together a
winning team when you have the solid
support Of the patrons. Every man in the
profession understands the difficulty Of
playing In Washington, and 1t Is an un-
disputed fact that II q good player should
be released by a club at the present time
he would prefer signing with any other
team In the league than the local one.
1t Is almost impossible for our organization
to secure the services Of a good man.
Empires. as a general rule in other
cities give close decisions in favor Of the
home club, but here they seem to think
that they will be backed up for doing
otherwise. Another sample of aninosity
was displayed when the ball rolled under
opened the gate and aided the Brooklyn
player to quickly field the sphere.
Again, Washington has been bowling
for years and years because it's ball club
has not had a wide-wake captain, but now
that 1t has one who Is not afraid to stand
up for the interests Of the team the cry
is on the other side In my opinion. Joyce
has done no more kicking than was justi-
fled. and every objection made by him was
the result OF most intense provocation.
Then there are certain newspaper corre-
spondents, who. after accepting the hospi-
tality of the club. take delight in sending
dispatches to their papers utterly false and
derogatory to the Washingtons. AS a
sample, here is a clipping, tending to in
jure the Wagners, and which contains not
a word of truth:
There are some close-isted people in
every line of business II all reports are
true the base ball profession has few in
the vicinity Of the capital city. 1t is re-
ported that when Manager Ward took his
men out to the Washington Park the other
morning for practice that President Wag-
ner telegraphed from Philadelphia, telling
them that they could not use the grounds.
This Is very mean treatment, especially as
the New York club gave President Wagner
$500 few weeks ago for $3.50 battery.
Another statement to the effect that our
players on Tuesday dared Mr.. Stage to
give the game to Brooklyn originated In
the mind of the writer OF the same. Then
some person, adopting the nom de plume
of Spectator wrote to The Star, abusing
the management for not refunding the gate
receipts on the day Of the forfeited game.
when our men were on the field and ready
and anxious to continue play. Those peo-
pie do more to injure the sport than any
thing else know OF.
I'VE are using every endeavor to give
Washington winning ball club. but that
will be impossible unless we receive the
same loyal support from the patrons that
is such a prominent feature elsewhere and
is so utterly lacking here"
The large crowds which have been turn
ing out to the games show the great hold
which this pastime has again taken. There
Is now no reason why the people, having
once more taken an interest in the game,
should not continue to do 50.
10 L. -
ladies that are now present At the games in
all cities. few years ago 1t was some
what of a novelty to see more than a few
ladies at the ball parks. while now 1t Is sell
dom that several scores Of them cannot be
seen in the grand stands. and on ladies'
days, or on special occasions, they are out
In large numbers.
Then, those who were present at the
games knew little or nothing Of how they
were played; now, they not only know the
fine points Of the pastime, but also the
names of the players and q great deal of
the history Of the game.