Evening star., 1896-03-23
OUT ON THE DIAMOND
Five Of the Senators Take Prao-
tioe.
DEPARTMENTAL LEAGUE PROSPECTS
Compass Whist at the Capital Bi
Club o SO.
GENERAL SPORTING NOTES

Preparation for the coming professional
base ball season in Washington was Off
cially begun today. Mr.. Earl Wagner will
hereafter be in direct control of the players
and conduct the management Of affairs un-
til the arrival of Manager Schmelz.
The members Of the team who are in the
city are Mcclure, Cartwright, Abbey, De
MontreviIle and Mallarkey. The quintet
were on the grounds this morning taking
their first exercise, and expected 20 bundle
up warmly and move about again this af-
ternoon in spite of the snow.
Catcher Jim Mcclure, looking a picture
of health, was gazing wistfully at the snow
through a window at his boarding place
when Star reporter called this afternoon.
bad weather this for u.s." said MCGUIRE.
CAN the other clubs are down south play
ing regularly, and tell you we'll have to
hustle to reach the standard by the open
ing of the season-not very many weeks be-
fore the first game. you know. We are fur
ther handicapped by the condition Of the
grounds; 1t will require every minute Of the
time between this and April 1G 20 pat them
in anything like playing shape. A number
| Of improvements, 1 understand. are to be
made, principally the erection OF new
bleachers in place of those now standing
| and the placing of new supports beneath
the left-field seats. The rest Of the boys
| will show up in day or two, and there Will
| be no delay in going ahead. When the UNI
pire calls Play BALI think the team will
| start off for far better record than that
of last season.
Practice games are to be played beginning
about April 4. Ted Sullivans New Haven
| Tigers and a number of the college teams
will meet the Senator's
Mr.. Earl Wagner,vice president and treas
urer of the club. was in the city today.
Pitcher John Mallarkey, whose home is
oyN~ G.,l1 int OF
Scranton, Pa, made his appearance at the
| ball park Saturday, in excellent condition
and anxious to play ball. 1t will not be
necessary for him to do any training down,
| as he is rather Under weight. He says he
always loses weight in winter. but re-
covers the necessary avoirdupois In the
| spring and summer. He has pfacticed con-
stantly during the winter, and says he can
| put his most puzzling curves and deceptive
drop balls over the plate every time. Nc
Gure ard Cartwright predict brilliant
season for the young man.
Mr.. j. X. SlraSberger will have a rope
stretched from his Office, 4O7 7th street, to
the building opposite. upon which will be
suspended large representation of a base
| ters, the games as they will occur at Ma
| tional Park. 1t will also announce when
games have been postponed on account
of rain or wet grounds" This will be
very convenient arrangements for the
downtown patrons.
The question where the local league clubs
will play wf1l be settled upon Earl Wag-
| I.er's arrival. If National Park cannot be
secured the teams may play at the old
Capitol Park grounds.
The demand for the special compliment
| tary season passes is far In excess of the
supply. President Young says that every
mail brings requests from old friends
which he reluctantly is compelled to refuse.
for the reason that only few Of them
are at his disposal and they have been pre-
empted. Among all of his old friends in
Washington whom he would have liked to
compliment with a souvenir he gave out
| only five.