The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
CLOSE OF The FIRST WEEK.
II FINDS ths CherubS a Tie With Pater-
son for First Place.
A REVIEW OF The TEAMS WORK.
Rain Prevented tho Games Yesterday Here
and AZ Norfolk-faterson Defeated tho
Athletes and Hartford Won From
Newark-schedule This Week.

The frat week Of Atlaitic League ball
In this city opened auspiciously TO-. the
CherUbs.
The percentage is high and but for the
fact Of rain yesterday 1t may have Dkcn
sin higher. But with the splendid show
ing made this early In tho season, the
cranks need expect great things Of the
locals. both on the road and at Pinel
Park.
Richmond has had large force OF
players and lots of fine material 10 pick
from. and the result Is something OF a
surprise to the native, for what was ox-
pected TO have been almost an entirely
new lnheld has given the cranks JOY, be-
cause OF the fact from appearance II now
looks as though the old favortes. Wells.
Berte. and Sholta will have TO be de-
pended upon TO give the Cherubs re-
spectacle showing In this league
IT PLEASES THEM.
The fact is looked upon with pleasure
by large majority Of the local cnthus-
lasts. There are some few who croak
and howl against Sholta and Berte, but
those same people tried to cry down
Wells, which Is an evidence Of their bad
Judgment for Jake has proven himself
thorough master of the game. lie is
quick with the stick and all right at the
bag. He makes some errors, as the best
or them VIII on occasions. but none OF
the big league players have done bet
ter than he so far this season.
IL has been said that the Cherubs are
weak at short and second but II those
who make the assertion would give
the matter moment thought they
would see that We are not weak at either
OF these positions. These two positions
are materially the most frequent points
OF attack by the opposing teams. All
the not balls 80 to these players, and
the best OF them make occasional errors.
Comparing Berte and Sholta with other
players IA the same positions, it Will
be found that they are no more prone
10 error than the others. Berte is
quick. and is great help to the other
players by his manner of joshing them
along at critical points. His main weak
ness is with the bat. but It will be OBJ
served that his work In that line is i'm
proving.
A GRACEFUL PLAYER.
Sholta is a good hitter. and plays the
position gracefully and quickly, and has
a number Of star plays TO his credit.
There Is no discounting tho fact that
Sholta is an excellent player, and It is
to be hoped he will be retained at Sec
ord.
The playing Of Elberfeld at third IS
above adverse criticism. His ability has
is already looking with longing eyes
upon him.
Foster and Schabel : backstops answer
all the necessary rec irements. both IN
their positions behind the bat. and at
the stick.
FINE TWIRLERS.
The number Of pitchers at present here
embrace some fine ones. and when the
final selection IS made. we will have four
good ones.
Looking at the club from an unbiased
standpoint, one can but realize that the
local club will be a factor in the At
lantic League.
The Newark Club appears TO be Che
strongest in the league. from present
indications. and their relative strength.
as compared 70 the Cherubs' can hardly
be determined until the two teams have
met. Norfolk IS making a splendid
showing but under conditions similar
10 ours. and their real strength will not
be known until they have met some
stronger enemy than either Reading or
Lancaster.
The clash at arms at Norfolk viii
probably give the public an idea OF the
relative strength OF the two Virginia
clubs. The Cherubs and the Crew or
the Mary Jane have a 90 at each other
for six consecutive games. with chances
about even.
For the benefit Of those who desire 70
witness the first game a special train VIII
he run 10 Norfolk Monday. leaving here
NJ 10 o'clock noon. by way OF the G. and
q. railway. and leaving Norfolk at eight
o'clock that evening.
The ladies' will be properly cared Tor
and special cars will be provided Tor
them.
The committee IN charge OF the baseball
special consist Of Messrs. V. Donau, me
father OF roofing; D. Rosendorf and w.
A Phelps
Schedule for This Week.
The schedule for the next week fol-
lows
Monday Tuesday and Wednesday
Richmond AT Norfolk.
Hartford at Reading
Paterson at Lancaster.
Newark at Philadelphia.
Thursday Friday and Saturday
Norfolk AZ Richmond.
Hartford at Lancaster
Athletics at Reading.
Paterson at Newark.
Hartford PLAYS in Newark to-day. and
the Lancaster team will play in Phladel-
mia. while Reading plays at Paterson.