Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-27
READY TO PLAY BALL
Ricamond'S Team Practically in Shape
for The Seasons Work.
FENDER CAME YESTERDAY.
He Is I'm Fine Form hut n Trine
Too Portly--How the Men show Up
In Practicc-Irinker's Hand Very
Sore.
Sore.

All OF the INiEiHl1iiu "a
cept Brunemer. the twirler from New
York, have arrived. Robbie Pender
came rolling In yesterday morning early
and after a few hours sleep arose much
refreshed and ready for practice. Pender
was tired, having travelled for forty
hours, and so went to bed Immediately
upon his arrival He looked all right yes
terday afternoon though, and Is in the
pink OF condition. He is actually fat,
but that won't bother him, at least 1t
didn't yesterday in the practice. lie
wants to get rid Of his surplus flesh
though. and together with Boland, Woods
and Gilpatrick, took Turkish bath last
night.
Jake took his whole tribe OF Bluebirds
out to the park early yesterday and they
seemed TO enjoy the mild weather. The
pitchers could use their arms with i'm
punity, and everybody looked ike they
had plenty Of ginger \ large number OF
spectators. were out, anxious 10 see what
the new ones looked like.
a FAST INFIELD.
Berte has now fast company on either
side OF him. Fender is as quick as q
FASH ana is playing fast ball. Ills
practice IN New Orleans has gotten him
in FORM and he handled himself yester-
day like an old national Lacquer.
Sweeney is a jewel The little midget
was all over the diamond and Is Just
the match for Berte. They are both as
quick as cats, and seem to suit each
other. They are, indeed, an excellent
pair, and with Pender ana Jake Richmond
ought to have the very fastest lniieid In
the league.
Brinker. the utility inhelder had the
misfortune to hurt his hand Wednesday
in the practice, and yesterday II was
swollen to nearly the size OF regular
catcher's mltt. The promising little fielder
sat on the bench, and told his troubles
- the scribe saying that ne wanted TO
get into the game so bad. He thinks he
will be able to play again after several
days. The hand, though terribly swollen,
seems 10 be only badly bruised.
As to catchers, Jake has three on his
STAFF. Danny Boand is a gem. lie Is as
graceful as a dancing master. and is a
perfect back-stop. His throwing appears
to be equally as good as Fosters, and,
perhaps, a trifie harder. He has a great
arm, and win doubtless charm the fans =
with his sylph-like manoeuyres. He and
anne spent Abf fNtilih AbENA Aifi g'a-
terday, and Dan caught him as gracefully
as you please.
THE TWIRLERS.
In Gilpatrick Jake says he has a find
"Gny' has speed to sell by the yard, and
is good looking besides. He has a some
what peculiar delivery. though the very
emblem OF ease ana grace, and when he
turns the ball loose Jake says 1t looks
like a marble.
Ames is all right. and so is Dillon.
They have not let out so much yet. but
the arm is there, and their ability can be
easily seen.
Jefferson, the man Of much silence, wgs
hopping around yesterday. He has good
speed and excellent curves, and will
doubtless turn out a conner He is right
much on the brownie" order. however,
but his showing so far has been very
good.
Wood, the man out in left-ield, IS very
quick on his feet. lie is everywhere, and
yesterday hooked In everything spherical
ne saw. He runs like a deer. and, though
a heayily-built man. is very active.
WIND FOR THE FANS.
Sweeney came second I'm the hitting ave-
rage of the Pennsylvania State League
last year.
GipatrlclS handles the bat well. He
finds no difficulty in cunning the fielders
back to the fence.
Meyers may prove a jack II he
is made to move faster and throw harder.
Fender Is happy 10 be In such fast
company, and seems to have eaten no.
thing but ginger and fat meat during the
winter.
The impression is that Jake has got
ten together a harl-hitting aggregation
Of players this season.
Jake Wells is business now from the
ground up. He Is here, there and every
where. When he is not watching and
coaching his team he is looking after
the force Of labOrers i'm the field.
Rafrert is having n hard time Of IL with
his hand. The cut won't heal. and It
may be a month before he Is seen here.
Uncle Girls. Evensen's little men"
have reported. and all are in excellent
condition. Uncle Girls. has not secured
ball-gounds as yet but H. is about set
tied that the games will be played some
where on Main street while the team is
away.
The first game takes place Saturday
with the Spiders" OF Richmond Col
Iepe. They will appear I'm the pink Of
condition. and a good game may be ex-
pected. -