The times., 1899-08-30

pilS duSstioh, IKE tne poor, Is always
with us. Experience has taught that much
of the trouble arisina III the League can
be attributed TO disorders upon the ball
held, whlch ought and should be prevented
Just and reasonable laws should be enact
ed that would remedy1hese evils. and their
enforcement demanded under proper PEN
alties. ~
The Toronto fans, who have given such
ioyal support TO their Club, are weaken
ins ,s ana take occasion to express their
displeasure.
Since joining the Senators Stafford has
peeh playing splendid game at short
he mas played in four games and has
natting average of 1929. Irwin's present
lh1eld Is now stronger than it has been
al any tlhe thls season, as the hitting ana
1ase running have been greatly improved
The outdeld is as strong as any in the
League.
boston will have an easy series this week
with the Exiles, while their rivals, the
brooklyns, will have hard fight with the
Plrates. The present Western series will
nave much to do with settling the pennant
race problem. The Beaneaters will doubt
less get three straight from Cleveland, and
at least two out of the three from Chi
cago Should the Brool1lyns fall down at
Pittsnurg and win ali of their games from
Cleveland, Boston would have the advantage
on the Western trip but should the Su-
perbas win all of the Pittsburg and Cleve-
fahd games they will likely win out.
Mercer may not be the best third base
man in the country. yet he is the equal if
not the superior of several who are Low
playing that position in the big League,
notably, Wolyerton of Chicago Casey of
brooklyn, Leach of Louisville Grady of
New York, Mccormick of Chicago, and Sui
ivan OF the men mentioned there is not
one who is as fast on his feet, or who is
more reliable on fly balls. He is brainy
and cool-headed player, and in the ;ntri-
cate knowledge of the game he is infinitely
their superior. With the exception, Ios-
slbly, OF Grady, he is a better batter, and
VIII bring more men across the plate. He
is not so finished an artist as Wallace
McGraw. or Collins. He has not had their
experience. But not one of this trio can
get ball to first base any quicker or more
accurately. If Manager Irwin decides to play
MIN at that bag permanently he will, with
practice, become a star.
Umpire O'Day's decision in calling De-
Montreyille out at the plate in Sundays
Louisville Baltimore game, according to
the facts as stated was correct DeMont
made hit in the second game and started
Tor second, when ball that had not been
in play rolled into the diamond. While
running from second to third the dead ball
was put into play and was thrown to Leacn
to catch DeMont, who missed it.. DeMont
went on home, but some one got the live
ball and caught DeMont at the plate.
While technically O'Day was right, under
the circumstances, as it was evident that
some one had Intentionally put the dead
ball in play in order to prevent DeMont
from scoring the run, he should have sent
DeMont back to third. This would have
been proper, and would have prevented
the row which followed
The fight between the Orioles and Quak-
ers will be as interesting as that between
Boston and Brooklyn. On form, the Phillies
ought TO win, but they lack the persistence,
energy, and never-say- die characteristics
that distinguish the Orioles, and will lose
if they do lose--on account of lack of
concert of action in team work.
The Western League clubs have made an
excellent showing this season. The Indian
apo6s club leads the procession, with per-
centage Of .649, while the tail ender, Kan
sas City, stands at .412. indianapolis will
doubtless again fly the peinant. a
A serious affray occurred at ball game
at Rochester, in which Curley and OHagan
the latter a Washington boy-were the
principal offenders. Curley struck OHagan
in the face, and was following it UP with
another blow, when the police interfered
and removed both men from the field.
The Baltimore Club without McGraw, is
like boat without a rudder. In the game
at Cincinnati yesterday the absence of their
leader was painfully apparent.
Fred Clarke's Bluegrass combination
gave poor exhibition against the Phillies
yesterday, and were beautifully calci-
mined.
No advantages resulted to either of the
three leaders yesterday. Each of them
quit the day winner.
The arrangement by which the CIeve-