Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-27
pLUEBIRDs WIN FIRST GAME.
They Defeat the Lancaster kfckers
in an Exciting Contest.

The Lancaster team, composed OF the
most pronounced kickers who have ever
assembled on Richmond diamond,
opened the season here yesterday with
the Richmond Bluebirds. and though they
played a good game, the Birdlings out
played them and defeated them by
safe margin.
The game was exceedingly interesting
from start to finish, and at the close was
intensely exciting. The play was, now
ever. marred by the kicking of the Lam
casterians. who talked back at Umpire
Mcnamara in a most disagreeable fash
ion and questioned his every decision
In this kicking. the visitors were led by
their field captain. LaRocque, and he
made himself so obnoxious TO the UNI
pire. as well as to the spectators, that
in the sixth inning, after having been
fined by Mcnamara, he was put out or
the game.
A LARGE CROWD PRESENT.
The contest was wagei in the presence
of nearly 400 spectators, including
many. If not ALL of the rooters, cranks
and fans Of this city, and. it begun in
dead earnest from the moment the bell
sounded The visitors, who were arrayed
in spick and span suits OF steel-gray
took the field according 10 the custom
in vogue here, and the Bluebirds went
to the bat.
Elberfeld was the first man to ap-
proach the rubber. and right then and
there the fun commenced. With his
usual luck or cuteness. may be, he re-
ceived the ball on his elbow and limped
to first. Pitcher West. OF the Lancas-
ter team, who was cracked up before
the game as the star twirler of the
league was unwilling that bad throw
should go down against him in the very
first gameH without entering his protest,
and he began a kick. Mcnamara didn't
propose to stand any foolishness, though.
and he ordered West to resume his posi-
ton in the box.
Elsey then raped the ball on the seam
and rolled 1t out into centreiield. and
Elberfeld who had previously stolen Sc
cond, and gone TO third on an error
made by Ward, to whom Catcher Roth
had thrown the ball, scored on the hit
Hargrove tapped the sphere to Pitcher
West, and that worthy proceeded to
throw it wild. permitting the Copper
TO reach first safely. while Elsey pulled
up on third Hargrove stole second
without any trouble, and when Freddy"
Foster drove a high one to centrefield.
he went 10 third, while Elsey crossed
over the plate.
JAKE'S HOME RUN.
Kahn struck out. and then Wells fin
gered the ash. Jake waited until he
got a ball that suited him, and then he
let drive at il. Away went the horse
hide out into deep-rightfield, and the ge-
NAL captain circled all four corners,
while Hargrove walked into home. This
put the score TO in Richmond's favor.
and shrieks Of delight were to be heard
on all sides Of the park.
The Lancasterians came to the bat af-
ter Schabel had retired the side. but
they were unable 10 unravel the mystic
ries Of Schmidts kinky delivery, and by
dint Of quick work on the part OF the in
field, they were downed in one. two. three
order.
The Bluebirds didn't score again until
the third inning. when Kahn. being given
the walk by Pitcher West, stole second
and third, and went home on a bad throw
made by LaRocque. In the fifth the
Buildings increased their score to five, the
run being made by Elsey, who started
the inning with a good, clean swipe,
which sent the sphere into deep-centre.
and yielded him three bases. He Rugged
the bag but short space OF time when
Hargrove drove high one into the hands
OF Buttermore the visiting guardian OF
rightfieId and Hargrove was thereby az
forded an opportunity OF crossing the
saucer. of which he availed himself
STOPPED KICKING AND WENT TO
WORK
The score at this point stood 6 to 0.
and the Lanca sterfans. beginning TO rea-
lize. apparently for the first time that
they were up against the real things,
stopped some of their kicking and be-
gan work in earnest. They had been
studying Mr.. Schmidt's curves with great
care during the previous innings. and had
at last found the solution of the puzzle.
At any rate, they banged the balls with
great vigor and some little frequency.