The Indianapolis journal., 1895-08-18

IN THE HOME STRETCH.


I'm the Western League Race.
The baseball season is drawing to a close.
But five more weeks remain of the Western
League race. which. like that of the Ma
tional League. has been close and exciting,
and is yet undecided Indianapolis should
appreciate its club. Not once during the
season has the team been lower than Sec
ond place. and for only short time has
it been kept out of the lead. Almost stead
lily since the middle of May have Watkins's
men headed the procession. and they re-
turn home tomorrow still at the top OF the
column by a narrow margin, IL is true. but
enough in which TO build substantial hope
that three weeks hence the team Will start
West with half dozen games 10 spare. III
that can be done the pennant Is almost GER
tain to come to Indianapolis. There is
one thing that must be taken into consid-
Grafton. however. and that is that. while
Indianapolis is doing battle with the strong
Western clubs. Kansas City will. for the
time with, the taii-enders. This state 2:
affairs Will commence the middle or this
week. and continue till the end of the sea-
If Indianapolis can start this last home
lot Of games with three straighls from ON
flag will be well begun. Minneapolis may
pick up a game at Kansas CITY while this
eared s as not are re thaH
likely to quit In the stretch. As has all
S fesn and fhs city, M nd sn p it
promises 10 be hot one.
Grand Rapids comes here tomorrow for
opens opens a series Of four. and St. Paul. Kan
City and Milwaukee follow in the order
dae left enre is hen s Tee
Haute has been asked to play off that one
postponed game il has here Manager Long.
however, demands half the grand-stand re-
ceipts. as well as the gate. and the Indian
apolis management is not willing to give
the game may never be played. Watkins's
men are booked for a game at Rushville
that day. which could be Cancelled II Ions.
would agree to take his regular share OF
the receipts In view of the recent Terre
Haute riot. Carney's men would be good
packed. and the crowd would show Long
how visiting ball team should be treated.
There would be plenty OF "rooting. but no
stone-throwing. no matter how the game
resulted.
Fisher is improving rapidly. and hopes to
be able to pitch Tuesday against Grand
Rapids. He wanted to go to Chicago for
to-day's game, but 1t was wisely deter
mined that he would be better off at home:
probably put him in condition for work.
There is, of course, nothing at stake i'm
these exhibition games, and pitchers should
be saved as much work as possible now. If
the Indianapolis trio-Fisher. Cross and
Phillps-can finish the season good and
strong the chances of beating out Kansas
of any OF these men, Watkins's team
would very probably finish in second place.
hogan Is under the DOCTOR 8 care ana Sow
ly improving. He expects to get back into
the game by the middle of this week. how
ever, so that when the Western teams open
here they will find Indianapolis presenting
solid front. The last month of the season is
going to be an exciting one indianapolis
to-day has a better percentage than Sioux
City had year ago. On Aug. Is last year
Sioux City led in the Western League race,
with SO games won. 36 lost and percentage
of 604. Encouragement on the part of the
crowds will tend to make victories come
easier. Every team will save up it's best
pitchers for indianapolis. They will all be
have TO make their fight single-handed.
Every point gained on the home grounds
will count in the long run.