Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-06
Rejoicing Over the Signing Of Bill
Joyce.
RETURN OF THE ADVANCE GUARD
Getting All Ready for the League
Season.
THE PITCHERS INSTRUCTED

There is great rejoicing among the local
base ball cranks over the return OF Bill
Joyce and Roaring Biz Hassamer to the
senatorial fold There is no discount ON
the popularity of these two men, and their
re-enlistment under the Wagnerian stand
ard has sent Washington's stock up sew
eral points in the estimation Of the home
people. The advance guard Of the WASH
ingtons, including Jim Mcclure. KID
Mercer, Al Maui, Stocksdala, Jack Crooks
and Dan Mahoney, arrived here Thursday
from the sunny SOUTH" to await the re-
turn of their comrades, who have yet to
play few exhibition games In Virginia.
The outcome of the southern trip, SO far
as the Wash!ngtons are concerned, was not
q brilliant success, from a financial stand
point. Before the team started south, Earl
Wagner announced that the profits OF the
southern expedition would be divided
among the members Of the team. 1t Is I'M
derstood the club did not pay expenses.
The trip was beneficial to the extent that
II developed the weakness OF several OF the
new men, who we're thought 10 be coming
stars.
Of all the new men. Nicholson. the little
Pennsylvanian; Danny Coosan. CoLins,
Boyd and Crooks showed up to the best
advantage. There appears to be some un-
certainty as to whether Crooks or Nichol-
son will be stationed permanently at Sec
Old bag. Now that Joyce Is again in line
he will dispisce Crooks on third. and the
latter is likely to move down to second,
with Nicholson going to short. Those who
have seen Nicholson at work assert that
he Is a better man at second than CROOKS,
while the latter might do more effective
service at short. These matters will be set
tied by the time the gong rings for the
opening of the season.
Prncticing Mt National Park.
Since their return Mercer, Maui and
Stocksdale, with Jim MCGUIRE. have been
out limbering up at National Park. There
was a number OF local ''rooters" within
the Enclosure to watch the trio Ct pitchers
putting 'em over to Mac. 1t appears
that none Of the new pitching talent has
shown up to the expected standard yet.
and thu bulk of the work in the beginning
Of the season will fall upon Mercer, Maui
and Stocksdale. The new twirlers will be
given ample opportunity to develop all the
ability they may have IN reserve before
they are given the marble heart" by Man
ager SChmelz.
weakness of the pitching department Of
the We shingtons last season that lost them
80 many games. Their principal trouble
was in falling to connect with the ball at
cpportune moments. 1t was not an infre-
quent occurrence for the first Senator up
to crack out a single, two-bagger or
three-sacker, and then be left on base BEG
cause the men to follow failed to advance
the runner. either by sacrificing or hitting
beyond the inield. Many game was lost
by the lack of team work with the stick.
Mercer was one of the best men In the
team as an advance" of runner.
A Lively Rivalry.
There Is a lively rivalry between the
Washingtons end Pittsburgs as the result
of the preliminary practice games down In
the south. The Schmelzites declare that
they did not exert themselves to do up
the Pirates" but when the two teams
meet in the struggle for the championship
battle royal will take place. II the Sen
ators show Up in the form that is expect
ed of them, Mcclure predicts that Pitts
burg and Brooklyn will have hard time
to pass and keep ahead Of the Washing
tons. Some extravagant wagers are said
to have been recorded between Connie
Mack and kiEslow on one side and Sell
bach and Mcclure on the other as to the
outcome of the MISUNDERSTANDING Sc
ries.
Collins, the utility man whom Mr..
Schmelz picked up in the west, Is said to be
a conner. He has done some very clever
work on the infield in the practice games
and he Is a good sticker and fair base
runner.
Danny Coogan is no longer regarded as
an experiment in league society. His gen.
eral all-round work in the south was one
of the features of the senatorial play, and
the southern papers were unanimous IN
pronouncing him one of the most prom
ising youngsters of the season Of 1895.
Mercer will probably pitch the first game
Of the championship series against Boston
He has not exerted himself in any of the
games in which he has played. All Of the
pitchers have been under instructions from
Manager Schmelz to save themselves and
restrain all ambition to win In the practice
games.
h Nu>~ I.nD
None Of the league clubs are enthusiastic
over their preliminary season in the "lant
of cotton" The weather was against bal
playing most of the time they were in tina
section of the country. Pittsburg, Boston
and all Of the clubs lost money on the tril
and the practice obtained was not Of sui
ficient quantity to compensate them for tn
trouble. 1t Is the opinion of several of tn
managers that 1t would have been bette
had the clubs stayed at home and worked
in the gymnasium, taking advantage o
the good days. to sneak in a little out
door practice.
cause the league clubs were permitted t
play practice games with each other in tn
south. 1t Is claimed that such exhibition
are calculated to destroy interest in tn
championship games. There Is no reason
ing in such claim. The preliminary prac
tice Is to train the various teams, and es
pecially those having young players, in tn
arts of the game. 1t Is but poor and almos
worthless practice to go up against lot o
dub" picked mines. When a man want
to learn to play billiards. ten pins or an
other game in which skill plays an import
ant part, he generally selects trainer or
competitor who is his equal If not his su
perior. In that way he learns somethin
new and improves his own stock Of in
formation.
Assignment of Umpires.
At league headquarters President Youn
Is fully prepared for the ball to start roll
ing. Next week he will officially announc
the assignment of the staff of umpires fc
the opening games. The men have receive
their instructions and their designation
will be sent to them later.
President Young says he is astonished 6
the remarkable development of the mine
league system this season. Never before
the history of the national game has thel
been SO many minor league organization
In the field at this time of the year undt
a.