Evening star., 1897-03-13

true. 1t is simpl. II recognition of worth.
@:iPs6D,tsy and long and consistent seFv-
Ice A dyed-in-the-wool crank may object
to the decisions now and then of either
Hurst, Lynch or Ems1ie, but whether right
or wrong, the majority Of the patrons of
the game are with these men, and what
they say goes. They may err, but 1t will
be honest error and honesty is what
has put and Is keeping base ball on its sub
stantial financial footing today.
The Cincinnati team. under the guardian
! ship, of Manager Ewing was the first to
start for the south this season for pre-
liminary practice. the club leaving for New
Orleans March 4. The team was to play its
first game last Sunday with the New
Orleans club. but rain made postpone
ment necessary. Every member Of the team
except Tommy CorcOran Is now hard at
work In the crescent city, and Ritchie. who
has been secured to take Corcoran's place.
will join the q I'm I'm few days. Without
Corcoran the tcams chances of winning
the pennant are lowered about II per cent,
but Ritchfc may turn out a cracker-jack.
and In that case the Reds will be in the
race from start to finish Ewing never felt
better. and will surely play the initial bag.
The new men with the team are giving
bright promise of proving able to hold up
class, every position on the team will be
We'll fortified in case of accident or sick
ness.
The Philadelphias left for the south last
club in the league hard at work trying out
their men and getting things in ship shape
for the big battle for the pennant. The
collapse of the Southern League will handi-
cap the clubs In the south to a certain ex-
tent. as they will have to play amongst
themselves instead of having regular or
gsnized team for opponents. Five of the
clubs VIII practice at home Washington
Louis. Chicago goes to Hot Springs. and
the remainder to different cities in the
south.
Notes of the Game.
The offer OF slOO.OO for the Cleveland
club by the Brooklyn club owners may
amount to nothing. but If the truth. were
known it would be found that the bid came
very nearly landing the prize. That much
money in cash is not to be despised.
Three more local Players have found
berths in professional clubs. Powell and
Handiboe have been secured by Manager
John Irwin for his Taunton, Mass. team,
and Boucher goes to Fall River. If this
thing keeps up there will not be enough
players in town to form one club, let alone
a league.
Manager Stallings of the Phillies agrees
with The Star that the marrying fever that
lately attacked the Baltimore players will
weaken that team the coming season Nc
Mahon, Robinson and Esper were about the
only married men ON the team heretofore.
1t is to be hoped that the voting contests
for bicycles or anything else out at Ma
tional Park will be discontinued this sea-
son. Considerable i'll feeling was aroused
last year over the contest for the bicycle,
and Mr.. Wagner owes it to himself to pre-
vent any chickering's arising in the club.
Hanlon refuses to waive claim TO Jud
Smith. the third baseman who was expected
to cover that position for Syracuse the
coming season. Smith belongs to Pitts
burg but Donnelly has frozen him out, and
he is too good to release. If Hanlon wants
him it is pretty good guess that ne is
something of a player.
Mercer. OBrien. Norton and Wrigiey are
expected in Washington next week. and
perhaps Charley Farrell. If the pleasant
weather continues the players will flock
toward National Park like bugs toward an
electric light.
The amendment to the hit-by pitcher
rule. allowing the batter to go to first. no
is good one. and will prevent a great
deal of wranglng and make it easier for
the umpires.
The cub of Washington players Harry
OHagan expects to stack W against the
Sci ators April Z will include Bert Myers.
Pitcher Lothrop. Catcher Hodge and prob
ably DeMontrevilie and Abbey. Wrig,ey
will play short for the Senator's.
Norton has finally sent his signed con-
tract to Mr.. Wagner He pitched but four
games last season, and held the Cleveland
and st. Louis clubs down to five hits
apiece. 1t is expected that Norton will get
into the Mercer and McJames class this
season.
The Washington club this year will travel
SOB miles, which Is 1091 miles less than
the '95 schedule called for
Corcoran, McCreary, Clarke and Irwin
are amorg the players who refuse to sign
contracts with their clubs this year.