Evening star., 1896-03-23
THE DEPARTMENTAL LEAGUE.
Indications Point to n Most Success
full ScQsOn.

Indications Point to n Most Success
full Season.
The Departmental Base Ball League is now
we'll under headway for the approaching
season, and from indications 1t will be the
most successful season the league has seen.
1t will start in with SIX clubs, comprising
probably the majority of the finest amateur
ball players in the District of Columbia
This year no experiments will be tried with
weak clubs, and only those of a recognized
standing and strength will find place.
The clubs will be the Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing, the Washington Light
Infantry, the District Commissioners Office,
the Treasury Department., a team from
Fort Myer, and one other to be selected
from the applications of the Pension Office,
Canterbury Athletic Club, the Shamrock
and City Post Office teams. The sixth club
will be selected at the next meeting of the
club to be held tomorrow night. The Bu-
reau of Engraving and Printing team was
the winner Of the championship last year,
and no doubt is expressed as to its ability
to play good ball. The Washington Light
Infantry team is also remembered for it's
good work. and will be in the field with a
stronger team.
Frank Roach will look out for the bus-
res interests of the bureau, while Mr.. s. P.
House, the enthusiast on every athletic
subject Of the w. L. l., will act as the
manager of the infantry boys.
The Treasury Department team showed
up we'll during the second series of the
league last year.
Dr. Glendfe B. Young will look after the
business end Of the team. The District
office team, winners of the championship
two years ago, will be under the manage
ment of Mr.. John Fisher. The Fort Myer
team is looked upon as the dark horse of
the season just as the Light Infantry oc-
cupied that position last year.
iS cat q 10 ha
fort have made up an excellent team, and
one which will have no difficulty in making
way with the District lads Peter Johnson.
who Is generally described as "the athletic
club.
Either the pension Office or the Canter-
bury Athletic Club would make an excel
lent sixth club, with the odds, perhaps, a
little in favor of the boys from the red
tarn. on account of their being depart
mental organization. The pension boys had
an excellent team last year, and their
trouble with the league " as to be regretted
greatly. The team has been strengthened
this year and will, without doubt, give an
| excellent account of itself in every game
in which it participates.
The Canterburys are an energetic set of
players. and would also make good sixth
club This matter, however, will be left to
the discretion and judgment of the board
of management of the league at Its next
meeting.
The new rule allowing clubs to go out
side of the league and secure extra players
from District base ball experts will make
the games all close and exciting, and put
all of the teams on an equal footing. In
this way weak place on team can soon
be strengthened, and there should be 10
reason with this arrangement for a game
with seventeen or eighteen errors to a side
There are any number of excellent players
In the District who would be glad of q
| place on a team in the league. and no diff
| fculty should be experienced in finding ma.
terial.
Mr.. Sousa, president Of the league, is or
| that all the places will be filed satisfac.
ber of applications have been received TO,
| the position of umpire, but they have moi
been acted upon.
Mr.. Sousa started a revival Of interest ir
local amateur base ball when he organized
| the Departmental League two years ago
| and since that time the amateur players OF
| the city have risen considerably higher in
| the estimation of the minor leagues in this
part of the country and elsewhere.
In speaking of his intended resignation
| announced some time ago. Mr.. Sousa said
'"The league Is composed of men who are
| bright, energetic and enthusiastic and YOU
may be sure that they will continue to eair
prestige in this city. I have been Induces
| to start big athletic club composed of de-
partment clubs only, and, as this will oc.
| cupy much Of my time the coming season
I am obliged to resign my position as prcst
Cent of the Departmental League, but viii
| assist the boys in every way possible
| Mr.. Sousa would say nothing of the plan,
| Of the new athletic club, but stated thai