San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-21

inning. Hit it out, Charley" came in
a chorus from the grand stand, and
Charley, about as nervous as the
rooters, would hit at anything the pit
cher gave hint was either a little
pop-up or three strikes and out. But
Elsey always tried to win, and that
much was in his favor.
enthusiastic frame of mind, who are in
the habit of throwing dollars at ball
players on the field for any old good
catch or hit, that there are yet a few
choice shares of stock to be had in the
San Antonio Baseball association,
which would prove a judicial invest
ment.
The passing of Pitcher Chas. Rad
bourne terminates a remarkable carer.
Rad" was the greatest pitch
er the world has ever known. He was
as great in his line and as much Of a
genius as Henry Irving, Paderewski
or Jake Schafer. No man contributed
more to the development of baseball
the outdoor pastime than Radbourne.
In the early years of the game the
pitchers delivered straight ball, vary
ing only in speed, and with the devel-
opment of batting skill the game prom
Used to become farce, owing to the
enormous scores. Arthur Cummings,
Jim Devlin and others were expert
menting with a twist or curve, but ii
remained for RadbOurne to perfect and
put into execution the in and out
shoots, the drop and upshot, and mar
velOus receptions in speed, besides a
system of watching bases which gave
the game an extraordinary Zest. Rad"
was also the first to value the idea of
sending the heavy batters to first on
balls and then killing the light weights
at the plate. He was equally clever in
striking the batter out, or sending
a slow twister which gave the out
fielders sure chances on high flies. He
filled his position so we'll that he was
played off days at all points except be-
hind the bat. His success was due to
ball playing as he never worked the
press or catered to the grand stand,
and was, in fact, so different to ap-
plause on criticism that people who did
not know him well, regarded him as
surly and capricious.
The base ball cup of happiness is
full and there are fourteen senators
for whom every Texas rooter will have
a warm spot in his heart. 1t took the
Senate just four and a half minutes
last Monday to knock the baseball bill
into oblivion by a vote of IA to 8. This
bill has been killed now three different
times at this session Of the Legislature
and it is hoped it has been heard from
for the last time. We will now pro-
coed to play ball and will not modest
anybody who does not bother US.
Never try to legislate against base
ball. 1t is an innocent game, and num-
bers among it's most ardent admirers
some Of our leading clergy.
That hustling spirit, Louis Welton,
president of the local association, ar
rived here last Monday from Alice,
Tex, where he has been since his re-
turn from Philadelphia. His presence
here caused stir in the situation and
a conference was held last Tuesday in
Director Hines Office, with Directors
Green and Eichlitz present. The park
question was the chief topic. The va
rious propositions were carefully con-
sidered and the advantages to be de-
rived from the proposed sites were
measured. Without any sense Of pref
udice it was decided to locate the park
at San Pedro springs.
President Louis Heuermann, of the
Texas association, proposes to have
the salary limit strictly adhered to.
He has given it out that any club he
finds over the limit-S9O0-will be in
structed to gauge itself, and if the club
fails to do this it will be expelled from
the association. Mr.. Heuermann re-
ceiyed a letter from DIR. Smith, of Aus
tin, few days ago, which stated that
the Austin team as it now stands, will
cost 1905 a month and asking the pres
ident's approval. Did he do it? Nay,
nit, not Red. He; answered: The
salary limit is $500, and not cent over
$500. If the limit was 1905 we would
say So" Mr.. Heuermann is going to
run this league right or not at all, and
for that reason prospects for success
are so much brighter.
A bill prohibiting pool selling will
meet the hearty approval Of baseball
men. Not rejecting on any other sport
pool selling andbase ball do not travel
in the same class. Baseball is not and
has never been intended for any gamb-
ling purposes. Baseball laws strictly
prohibit pool selling on the grounds or
on any property Of a baseball club.
which is governed by the national
agreement" the object of which is ito
perpetuate baSeball as the national
game of America, and to surround it
with such safeguards as to warrant
| absolute public confidence in its integ-
rity and methods"
With a dead baseball bill and a live