Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04

other than a Boston uniform that trio
would make life miserable for any umpire
or staff of umpires.
In one of the games the Reds played at
Washington, Fox, a young-blood recruit,
whom President Wagner secured from the
New England League. was making his de
but, says Harry Weldon in the Cincinnati
Enquirer Fox was SO nervous that he
scarcely knew whether he was "afoot or
a-horseback.' That night some of the Gin
cinnat players were discussing the nerv-
BUSINESS of the youngster, when it caused
Captain Ewing to grow reminiscent.
Il had such an attack of stage fright
that was afraid to go inside the park of
the first club that offered me an engage
ment. much less play said Captain Ew-
ing. Il was doing mans work when
was fourteen years old-driving four
I was as big when 1 was seventeen years
of age as 1 am now. 1 used to play with
the Mohawk Browns every Sunday. Some
times l would catch. and at other times
I caught and 50 when 1 played second.
That was in 1878. and the Cincinnati Reds
were then playing on the old Avenue
grounds. Mr.. Maddux. knowing that L
could play ball, spoke to the manager OF
the Cincinnati Reds in my behalf and he
sent word for me. to come out the next
Saturday. l got off from work, but 1 did
not play"
why not?' asked.
Because my heart failed me. I was a
big, overgrown boy" said the Reds leader.
Il got fellow named Smithers to go with
me. He was as badly scared 1 was. We
went out to the park, and I took look at
the ball field through a knot hole in the
fence. That was enough; 1 turned and ran
away as fast as my legs would carry me.
| The next day the manager asked Mr.. Mad
dux why didn't show up. He made some
excuse for me and got me the promise of
another trial."
Did you take part in the game the next
timer
mo; I weakened again." was the reply
Il went out to the park like did the Sat-
urday before, but 1 didn't make myself
known. 1 paid a quarter to get into the
bull pen. and took seat behind some other
men and boys. Pretty soon l heard some
Of the players calling my name. Where is
that young catcher? they were asking. l
heard all they said, but did not make my
self known. 1 waited until the second in
ming, and then l got out of the park and
went home"
How did you get your start?"
Move-up' Joe Gerhardt, the old-time
He had seen me catching in the bottoms.
He was twice with the Reds At the time
Horace Phillips was then organizing the
Hop Bitters at Rochester, N. Y. Move
up Joe recommended Mitchell. the left
handed pitcher from Cincinnati, and my
self. He went on to Rochester Horace
told ne to go out and practice. didn't
know what that meant as we had never
practiced before any of our games. l vert
out, and Mitchell pitched a half dozen balls
to me. l had never caught him before.
The next day We went in the game against
the Bufalos. Arlie Latham was with the
Bison City team at that time. One of their
fast runners got to first ind tried to steal
second. / had arm of iron at that time,
and l cut the ball loose 1t went like
shot. / caught him so far that he was
pretty nearly ready to turn back. The
game was close one. and near the end of
the contest 1 hit a ball over the fence and
won it out with a home run. That settled
my nervousness. From that time on l
thought could play ball as good as any of
them, and l was never afterward troubled
with stage fright"
Charley Snyder, the well-known umpire
| who claims Washington as his home and
who Is now acting arbitrator in the At
/ lantic League, talked old times at
well-known resort for base ball cranks in
this city one afternoon recently. Charley
| had day off and took the opportunity to
| run over to his home from Philadelphia
| and greet old friends. Charley insists that
he is just good an umpire as he ever
was, which was a pretty high grade, and
that 1T is just as hard If not harder to
umpire in the minor leagues it is in the
major league. that there is every bit as
much wranSling and fighting between the
| players and the alleged king of the Dia-
mond'' as there is in the big league
Charley tipped off some of the best players
| in that organization. but says there are
very few of them that are ripe enough
| for the fast playing of the big league. He
spoke well of James ]. Corbett as a base
ball attraction.
He played a half dozen games in our
| league said Snyder. "He gets fat guar
| antee and a privilege of half of the gross
| receipts for every game he takes part in.
| He has made as high as $1,000 week play
| ing ball this season. At that he is pretty
| fair ball player-that is, he is good fielder.
He plays first base in excellent style but
| he is bum batter. That is his weak
| ness. He can't hit the ball hard, even
| with the pitchers trying to feed him good
ones to hit"
The Louisville Colonies open a series of
| three games with the Senators at National
| Park today. Swain is ucketed for today's
game for the Washingtons, while Cunning
ham Will probably be on the rubber for the
visitors Monday two games will be played
| in the afternoon for one admission, the
| first game being called at . o'clock. The
Louisvlles haye been playing good ball
| lately, and have become quite an attrac-
| ton the road.
Poor Baltimore! In second place again,
and with big chances against getting into
the lead before the season closes. Then il
New York should beat the birds out there
! is no telling how many funerals will come
off in the oyster city.
The Torontos lost two games at Provi-
dence yesterday, thereby losing their hold
| on first place. Syracuse is now the leader.
| with Buffalo close UP. The Canucks have a
| long string of games at home to finish the
| season, and are building these to land
them at the head of the procession.
| Won Der Abe talks very emphatically of
turning Billy Mailman, the present man
| ager and second baseman of the st. Louis,
| loose upon the cold world before next sea-
| hapinQ n 6x-o afh bar