The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-03
ON THE BALL GROUND
Missouls Promises to Put Up a Splendid
Team This Season.
MR.. SMITH VISITS WALLACE
And the idaho Boys Become In
fatuated With His Phenomenal
Playing - Some Games Ar
ranged For the Future.

FtdytuB - Dome oamoS Ar
ranged For the Future.
MISSOURI. May 1.-The unmerciful
drubbing which the Missoula baseball
team received last Sunday at the hands
or the coIored boys from the fort was
good medicine for them and they have
been practicing steadily every after
noon this week. They had begun to
consider themselves invincible and for
week had not practiced at all The
experience OF Sunday taught them that
their couceit was not well founded. AID
they have evidently determined 10 Ie-
trieve their lost laurels, and the next
game that they have will be a bali
game and not a foot race. There Is
plenty of good material in the team.
1t is doubtful IL there Is a better ag-
gregation in the state. The only trou-
BILE is that there is a streak of Iaziness
that needs to be rubbed out. Paul
O'Brien is expected to return TO Mis-
soula in few days. as he has secured
a situation here. and he will probably
join the local team. IL he does he will
be made captain and will put the boys
through course OF training that will
make them wonder that they ever
thought they could play bali. with
two such men as O'Brien and Griffin
in the team, It win be easier to keep
them balanced md to enforce the dis
cipiine that is essential to success.
Billy Smith has been playing ball
again. He used to be one OF the best
men In the diamond that could be
found In these parts, and his services
Mt a nToplirra nf LAT
increasing years and added dignity
have prevented him from taking part
In the local games, much as the boys
would have enjoyed his company. But
he was in Wallace a week ago last
Sunday on business and. finding time
hard to kiln. went around to asball
game between the Wallace teang and
one of its state rivals. The wallace
nine was short one man and Smith was
at once seized with a violent attack of
baseball fever. He volunteered his SER
vices and they were accepted. He was
put on first base and he played like a
whirlwind. The old spirit which had
been dormant for years sprang into
new life and he played as he had never
played before. On first base he did not
make an error. and at the bat his sue
cess was phenomenal. He found the
ball every time for two or three bases,
and the Wallace people began 20 think
that they had found an undiscovered
star.
His greatest triumph. however. WI
scored when the Wallace pitcher gave
out and Smithy was put into The box.
He twirled the horsehide sphere like
a veteran. and man after man struck
out or punted easy flies into the
hands of the infielders. The batters
couldn't master his curves a little bit,
and he retired, victorious. from the
game. the idol OF the town The air
of mystery with which he surrounded
himself added to his Importance and
only after repeated importantly did
he condescend to reveal his Identity.
He told the manager OF the Wallace
team that he was William de Smith,
and that he had signed with the Hell
cna team to play third base this sea-
son. You think I'm a good first base
man." he added, but you ought to
see me on third. There's where I
shine"
Mr.. Smith left Wallace Monday
after having refused several
liberal offers to play ball In Wallace
this summer. He thought no more OF
his experience as a ball player, except
to have pleasant recollections Of the
Sunday game. until yesterday. when
he received the following letter:
Mr.. William de Smith.-Dearb Sr.-
Being about to organize the IdalJe late
league. and you come to us strongly
by one Bob Herd as an
all-around baseball player. and es-
pecialIy on third base. IL there is any
possible show TO engage you for the |
coming season we would be willing TO |
negotiate a deal with the Helena club, |
as we are informed that you have |
signed with that club. We would like |
TO buy you for the coming season.
Your salary. no object. Your own fig |
ureS are good enough for US. We are |
positive that you are just the man we /
want. Salary cuts no figure. 1 am /
sure we can depend on your coming |
providing the Helena club are willing |
to part with you. We are sending /
men TO transact the deal. Mr.. Bob Herd |
and Doch. Shors. Answer at once and /
your own figures goes.
Resp.
The Idaho State League.
Murray. Idaho.
care OF o. ID. James,"
rrl