Evening star., 1897-03-11
HAVE BEGUN WORK
4Bsfa
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Washington Ball Players Had Their
First Practice Yesterday.
IMPROVEMENTS At The GROUNDS
Completion Of the Presidents Pri-
vate Box.
CURRENT SPORTING NOTES

Everything is hustle, hustle and hard
work at National Base Ball Park these
days. Over a dozen carpenters and la
borers are hard at work putting the stands
fences and grounds in order and from the
present look of things it will take every
day from now until the opening of the
season to have the park in first-class shane
when the bell taps for the opening game
Mr.. Wagner's office, which formerly stood
on the ground just inside the carriage
gate. will be torn down and new str1Ict-
ure built the side of the grand stand
to the right of the ladies' entrance On
the site of the old office an elaborate booth
will be erected for Mr.. Strasburgar who
has the refreshment and score card privi-
lege of the park. The old right filed bleach
ers, which We're blown down by the cy-
clone last September, will have to be re-
built and also the center field fence
President Mckinley's Box.
The private box for the President of the
United States has been completed and pre-
sents quite an imposing appearance. 1t Is
located about fifty feet to the left of the
press box, being over the left wing of the
grand stand, and is reached by private
entrance. The interior of the box will
be tastefully decorated and made as COM
Portable as the situation and circumstances
will permit. Manager Schmelz says that
Mr.. Wagner has been given to understand
that President Mckinley will be a frequent
spectator at the game, and from the pres
ent indications of the Presidents democ-
racy the understanding is not far out of
the way.
Three or four J;borers. under the super
vision of the ground keeper, were hard
at work on the diamond, resodding around
the baselines and scraping off the refuse
of the winter. 1t is intended to place The
field in better shape than ever before this
season, several almost mperceptible de-
clevities being filed in, and if hard work
will do the trick, the players will have
grounds to play on that equal almost the
best in the tWelveclub circuit. The pres
ent location of the diamond will not be
changed, all reports TO the contrary not
withstandng. as the grand stand was
built upon the present diagram of the
field.
First Practice of the Local Men.
Manager Schmelz marshaled a band con-
sistins of Mcclure, Lush, Selbach. DeMon-
treville. Tom. Brown, Abbey. Cartwright.
Reilly and Bert Myers, yesterday after
noon, and for two hours a great sweating
matinee was held. All the boys took turns
at batting end chasing tie bah. and when
the word given tdIkHoc!1 off sigh of
thanks went up from almost every player
on the tt5 ground Aboqs r. only sxeepton
joy playing ball better Than eating. and
this morning was hand early eager for
a renewal of the game. The other players
sat around under the grand stand, talk
ing shop or discussing me different hicy-
cles possessed by the players, but evi-
dence of Soreness waSfrisible throughout
the crowd. Several of the boys denied the
soft impeachment Of. being rusty, but
Billy Lush admitted the fact and sar-
castically laughed at rhe other dcnials.
Manager Schmelz SAID that not within
his remembrance mas -rhe opportunity be-
fore been afforded players to practice In
Washington as early as March 1e. and if
the present pleasant weather continues a
southern trip will not be missed Of
course, practicing has been INDUCED In at
the different university grounds around the
city, but the school boys will take many
chances a professional never dreams of.
Earl Wngncr's Return.
Earl Wagner went to Philadelphia
last evening. and will not return until next
Monday. The probabilities are that when
he returns it will be for the season.
Bert Myers is in excellent shape and his
movements yesterday afternoon gave ndi-
cations Of further development in his play
ing ability. Bert is still looking longingly
toward Milwaukee.
AL. Selbachs hand was examined this
morning, and although tender from the Sc
we're burning accident, looks as good as
new. and he says little mixture of rosin,
dirt and careful practice will soon have it
an rlSht again. Inc danger lies in lnJurinS
the hand before the skin has thckened.
Billy Lushs dog is a dead ringer for
Tom Browns Don" but lacks the good
natured playfulness of the center fielder's
canine.
Manager Schmelz gave it out as his opin-
ION this morning that the Tommy Cor
coran matter would adjust itself all right
before The season opens He says Corco-
ran makes his stubborn breaks every
spring. but changes his mind just as reg
ular before the bell taps for the opening
game. The Cincinnati people will no doubt
welcome the day that finds the much
wanted short stop under Capt. Ewing's
wing.