Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-10
ADVICE FROM AN ENTHUSIAST.
Good. Wholesome Tail. on Bnse-lioii.
Its Evils and Its Virtues.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The game Of baseball has become
national pastime. patronized alike by the
rich and the poor. It has grown steadily
in popular favor since its infancy, dating
back % 1850 with a drawback now and
then. dependent upon this or that cause
the most serious being early In the
eighties, when gambling nearly Slapped
its very life away and rightly, too. But
bv wise LEGISLATION, headed by Mr.. Mills,
the then president Of the major league
this dlsorganizng evil 60 any SPORT
was effectually eradicated, and. with con
hdence restored. the game began its up
ward course again. and was not checked
until the players revolt Of 1881, led by
John Ward. the second baseman and
CAPTAIN of the New Yorks. and president
OF the PLAYERS League (Which, happily
for the interests Of baseball, was short
lived), temporarily paralyzed the game
After that trouble was overcome ana
Deaca once more restored the heaithful
and beautiful pastime was again taken
no By the masses and has grown steadily
ever since. as witness the patronage IN
the several major leagues Of the coun-
try where the attendance ranges from
POO to 5000 on special days-and, T.
como nearer home. look al RIcnmond's
ilgures-2o00 TO 1900.
A PECULIAR PEOPLES GAME.
The American people are peculiar
people. The game Of baseball suits them.
IT'S snappy, uncertain, and quickly
played This same uncertainty Is It's
very life. Our English cousins prefer
the long-drawn-Out game Of cricket
which requires the better part Of two
days TO bring II 10 n conclusion, but
notice the Roadway our national game
is making across the water, thanks TO
the energy and perseverance Of \. g.
spaulding and few other enterprising
Americans. backed by our colleges.
THE LADIES APPRECIATIVE
Look at the attendance here, there.
and everywhere, especially in Richmond.
Is the game not upheld by the better
classesP what a beautiful appearance
our grandstaud makes, with its throng
OF beautiful and richly attired ladies, who
crowd IL 10 overlooking. and who under
stand and appreciate the game and IFS
fine points fully as well as their male
escorts. and don't forget when the time
comes to applaud brilliant play in the
field or at the bat.
| here say to the management OF the
several clubs and the league in general.
look to il well that the game is kept
clean and free from gambling and rowdy
ism. Look to IT well that no one is
permitted 10 stay within or about the
grandstand or elsewhere, that will so
far forget himself as TO ignore the
presence OF ladies' and forget what Is
their due. The writer has seen open
betting. and has heard harsh words In
the grandstand may be under the eN-
element OF the moment, but that Is no
excuse that will surely drive (and once
driven they VIII stay away ladies' and
the better class OF men patrons away
from the game. 1t has done IL in other
cities, and will surely do II in this.
THE PAPERS. TOO.
Again. let the papers be careful how
they let a disappointed person rush his
sentiments into print. IL is due them
selves and the game that they mink
twice before printing a lot OF rot that
win cast a shadow upon the honesty Of
the league, It's officials, and the CLUB
players.
The game is uncertain. and our virginia
League Is not run in the interests solely
Of the Richmond or any other club. bur
for the good and interests or all, ana
let any one prove to the contrary on
facts and not imaglnlngs and the writer
will aid in uprooting the existing evil,
and in time replant with healthful stock,
to insure a pure growth in 1895.
DON'T FIGHT AND QUARREL.
once let the impression get started
that the game is not square. tneD good
BY game; once let gambling gain sway,
then good-by game: few times let too
much fighting and quarrelling among
players themselves, or with the umpire
unnecessarily upon the field. then good
By game. Let be done this. that, or
anything that will offend the lady
patrons, again good-by game In this city.
Have the proper officers in charge at the
proper places and at the proper time,