Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-19
Progress of the National Game in
Washington.
SOME REMARKABLE LOCAL TEAMS
When Players Were Not Paid and
Local Pride Prevailed.
EXPERIENCE OF LATER DAYS

Base ball in Washington dates its begin
ming from the sixties. The game has been
traced back elsewhere as far as 1885, when
it was evolved from the old game of town
ball or FOUNDERS. but the first code of play
ing rules was not formulated and adopted
until 1913. The first base ball convention
was called In May, 1857. and year later
the National Association of Base Ball Play
ers was organized. This body was at first
formed of clubs in and near New York. but
gradually it's field was extended until it
comprised clubs far west as Omaha.
Washington became a Jealous member, and
in 1866 had ten clubs represented. They
were as follows: Capital, sending as dele
gates to the convention H. C. Porter and
w. Cunningham; Continental w. H. Rob-
erts and j. w. Downing; Empire, c. E.
Coon and +. V. Anderson; Gymnastic. r.
E. Ellerbeck and r. S. Vedder; Interior, T.
Calwer and w. A. Ogden; jefferson. S. H.
Yeatman and G. w. C. Finney: National,
A. P. German and Henry Chadwick; Olym-
pic. H. w. Denison and J. 1. Burns: Poto-
mac, w. c: Mcintyre; Union, M. E. Urell
and r. NJ. Drinkard.
In the year 1855, at the tenth annual
meeting of the association, held in New
York, Washington was signally honored
by the election of Mr.. A. P. German. now
senior United States Senator from Mary
land. as the president of the association.
Mr.. German was one of the delegates rep
resentins the National club of this city,
Mr.. Henry Chadwick. the veteran base ball
writer. being the other. Mr.. German re-
ceived 115 out of 1855 votes cast. Mr.. Brow
ming of the Continental club of this city was
one of those nominated for vice president,
but 1t was thought that would be too much
for Washington, and it went to Altoona,
Pa. Mr.. Charles E. Coon of the Empire
club of this city was, however, made cor
responding secretary. Washington secured
place on the rules committee in the per-
son of Mr.. Chadwick, who was also ap-
pointed on the printing committee. This
city had at this early date thus secured
prominent place in the base ball world. 1t
is interesting to note that another United
States Senator was delegate to this con-
vention, Mr.. D. B. Hill. who represented
the Alerts of Elmira, N. Y. There were
go clubs represented in the convention.
Paying Players Forbidden.
Base ball was an amateur sport then. and
1t appears strange now that the paying of
players was prohibited. In fact at this
same convention steps were taken to dis
cipline a club charged with having paid
player. 1t was considered as reprehen-
sible as paying a player to throw" a game
is deemed now. The greatest local pride
was taken in the clubs. One city would
not hear of players from another city join
ing its club There was the greatest ri
ten clubs were represented at the conven-
ton. The Nationals We're at this time the
leading club in this city. The Olympics
ranked next, and between them there was
the greatest competition.
In 1866 the Mathematician won ten games
and lost five, defeating the Unions of Nor
risana. the Athletics and keystones of
Philadelphia. the Lbertys of New Bruins
wick, N j.. the Gothamsr of Hohoken. the
Excelsiors of Brooklyn. and the Unions
Jeferst rs and Potomacs of this city. They
scored 1913 runs to :}25 for their opponents
anG making thirty-seven home runs to four
teen for their opponents. The nine was
composed of Berthrong. c.: Fox. 3b.; Smith.
S.: Parker. 2b.: Studley, L.; Mclean, CT;
Hodges 1b; Williams, p.; Yeatman. RI.
and Urell. CT. Fox stood at the head as
re CARDS batting well as Unfolding: Stud
ley ranked as the best outflelder, and
Berthrong excelled in all around work.
Fox was a Georgetown College student
and was regarded as wonderful hitter.
The Nationals made a trip to Richmond
shortly after the war when. by the way,
they were most Hospitality entertained and
during the game Fox hit a ball that went
down to the end of the field and out of the
gate, that CHANGED to be open. The specta-
tors were opea-eyed with amaZement.
Ibid yoh see whar that Yank hit that
ball!' was the cry.
Yes, he knocked it clean down to Apo
mattoX," was the rather ungenerous re-
tort.
The Nationals played on the White Lot
in those days AS the players were not
paid for their services, there was no need
for an admission charge. and all who wish
ed saw the games for nothing. The canal
then ran along where street is now. sep
arating the Monument grounds from South
west Washington. No such throngs attend
the ball games now as attended them in
those DAYS. Doubtless the fact that they
l. do rr-ffh ht,f
nevertheless, the people felt pride in their
ball players then they never feel in these
days of professional base ball. Those who
attended the games We're not merely root
ers' for the players. They were their
friends and neighbors. They had grown up
with them and rejoced in their skill AMI
strength. 1t Is on record that over 3o.Woo
persons went to see the Atlantics and Ath-
ietics meet in Philadelphia October l, 1867
The crowd was so great that it was impos-
sible to play the game. NO idea can be
formed OF the interest attached to these
games; and yet, with all the fierce rivalry.
there was always present n courtesy that
is lacking in these days. The visiting club
was always entertained by the home club
The members We're taken to a hotei-the
Kirkwood. formerly at Eth street ana the
avenue was favorite resort. After the
game the losing club gathered about the
plate and gave three cheers for the victors.
who responded in a like manner. Then the
defeated nine handed the Dali 10 the cap
tain of the successful team as trophy. 1t
was highly esteemed, and generally gilded
and kept among the clubs treasures At
ter the game both clubs and their friends
vent to the hotel ard sat down to the table,
where a banquet followed. with many
speeches of good will These were the
halcye n days of the sport. These were the
DAYS when the game was played purely 1or
the glory of winnr g-dollars cut no figure
About this time there were stationed at
the Lincoln Park barracks, in East Wash
il gton, the twenty-ninth infantry, VINO be
lieyed that they had some men who knew a
thing or two about base ball. They organ
lied a nine and called it the National Unions,