Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-12
OUR CHANCES SMALL.
We may Win the Pennnnt, But Must
Have Hitters to DO So.

The first half OF the Virginia state
League season has been concluded, and
the Lynchburg team finished In first
place with lots OF room 70 spare, while
Richmond came in second only a few
points ahead OF Portsmouth. The per-
centage column has been rubbed out,
and the clubs have all started out
afresh. and Lynchburg again bids fair
TO win out, thereby capturing the PEN
nant.
All the teams are playing good ball.
but the Lynchburg lads have demon
strated beyond "a peradventure that they
are as a team stronger than any OF their
competitors. and the pennant has, by the
cranks, already been conceded them
Richmond IS expected to make try
for first place, IN order that the Blue
birds and the Tobacconists may fight
in seven-game series for the pennant.
but II is hardly probable that Weiss
boys will succeed in their undertaking
unless they are very greatly strengthened
at the bat.
In the field Richmond has an incompa-
rable team-inoompardble as compared
with other minor league clubS-but AT
the bat the whole team Is deficient.
Taking the last half season as a basis
IL will be seen that the Lynchburg play
ers in every position excel at the bat
the men, who fill their various positions
in the field.
CAN MANUFACTURE FTELDERS.
a National League manager once said:
"Gve me hitters. and l will make iielders
of them" and it would be well for the
Richmond management TO follow his idea.
y few errors more or less in game
usually amount to but little, but few
hits amount to a great deal. True, errors
sometimes lose game, but more often Is
II the case that hits win them.
An outhelder be he ever so good on
handling flies and ground balls. is worth
absolutely nothing to a team unless he Is
a hitter. Our outfeld Is fairly good at the
bat. but It would unquestionably be OF
advantage to the Richmond club II one or
two sure hltters could be placed some
where on the team.
II frequently happens that one hit will
win a game. and frequently 1t has hap
pened that Richmond was In that situation
when the single hit could not be found.
1t would be sad to the cranks to see any
of the present Richmond team released
The team individually and collectively Is
q gentlemanly lot Of ball-piayers, and
they work together like soldiers fighting
TOT a cause NliltH LlfN htAi A'0+'A NH'A'
life. but II Richmond is TO have the PEN
nant some one or two OF the boys must
be sacrificed In order that hitters may be
put on the team. II Is q toss up as TO tho
selection of the men TO go. They are all
phenomenal felders, but they are not
winning games as they should.
RICHMOND. THE LEAGUES LIFE.
The life Of this league virtually depends
upon the success of the Richmond team.
Here the game Is patrOniZed more LIBERAL
" than elsewhere I'm the state; and, as
the clubs are all playing upon 50 per
cent. basis, the teams earn n sufficient
amount here 10 pay their losses at home.
The Richmond people will not patronize
a losing home team. and therefore IT is
absolutely essential that Richmond SHOULD
be I'm the front rank, II baseball Is to
live in Virginia. 1t is not expected that
any stronger team in the league should
throw games. with a view 10 helping Rich
mond TO the front. Such n thing would
be repulsive 20 the patrons OF the game
here; but IL IS expected and desired that
Richmond shall strengthen her team I'M
I'll she is the peer Of any team IN the
league.
This will cost money. but II takes money
the world over 10 make money. Not one
OF the teams In this league-that Is. so
far as is known-is within the salary
limit. and Mr.. Bradley, therefore, has no
restrictions on him so far as paying
players. II Is therefore incumbent on
him 10 get the right men. and the sooner
he does so the better II will be for the
Richmond team and for the State League.