Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-23
Washingtons Hospitality Entertain
Their Three Days Guests.
BILLY BARNES BOYSVON TEE FIRST
Favorites indicate Their Popular
ity at Benning.
CURRENT SPORTING NOTES

A distinguished gathering. numbering
about 1859 persons. witnessed the opening
game at National Park yesterday after
| noon between the Brooklyn and Washing
ton clubs, the visitors winning by the score
of to 4.
As early as 1 80 o'clock, when the gates
were opened, 500 persons had gathered out
side Of the grounds. and from that time
until the calling Of the game at 1870 con-
tnuous stream of base ball enthusia SITS
poured into the park. President Mckinley
failed to put in an appearance, although
his private box was nicely furnished for
his occupancy. but other lights of the
political, judicial and diplomatic world were
to be seen. Speaker Reed walked into the
grand stand about AIS and was assigned
to the private box on the extreme right,
but the sun was too hot there and the
Maine statesman shifted his position to the
left wing, where there was plenty of shade,
and from this place Of vantage he viewed
the game with evident pleasure and COM
fort. There was quite burst Of applause
and cheers when the Speaker came in. In
all there must have been about 100 SEN
ators and representatives at the game.
The weather was all that could be wished
for from a players point Of view, but the
cool breeze that blew over the park was q
little too chilly for those in the grand
stand. The bleacherites were all right, as
the sun was with them throughout the
game.
President Young of the National League
kept the umpire assignment a complete
secret, but it was pretty good guess that
the popular little arbitrator. Timothy Hurst.
would hold the indicator at National Park,
and the guess proved good one. as the
popular little fellow came on the diamond
at exactly 4:30. and to the loud and en-
thusiastic applause Of every one present,
called PLAY ball."
Both clubs INDUCED in the usual prelimi-
nary practice, and their movements were
quickened by the lively music furnished by
the band stationed in the grand stand and
the applause of the spectators, hundreds of
whom were Of the fair sex, whose bright
smiles and brilliant millinery and dresses
added considerably to the brilliancy Of the
occasion.
Manager Schmelz assigned Mercer and
Mcclure to do the battery work for the
Senator'S, and the exhibition put up hy the
two players in the face of adverse and dis
feartening circumstances was the best.
Mercer was hit for nine singles with
total of twelve. but with proper fielding be
hind him the visitors should have connect
ed with the ball about six times Payne
and Grim were sent into the points by Man
ager Barnie, and, as usual, the ft-handed
batsmen. excepting Charley Reilly. who met
the ball at every chance. The two wild
pitches of Payne were very costly, resulting
in runs in each instance.
Brilliant and BOBBY Plays.
The game throughout abounded in bril-
liant plays, the errors made on both sides
generally being on easy chances, and the
enthusiasm was kept up throughout the
contest. Charley Reilly was the star of
the day. his work being a great surprise
to those who were not posted on what he
las been doing this spring. as It was the
general impression that the new third base
man was not a batsman. The way he drove
the balls out yesterday made him friends
by the score and established him us
one Of the favorites Of the season Not a
ball got away from Mcclure, and his
throwing to second and third was as ac-
curate and swift as rife bali.
To little De Montreviile falls the blame