The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-16
WINS FIRST CAME.
Holy Cross Starts In
Season with Fly
ing Colors.
THREE HOME RUNS.
Boston University Not in 1t
for a Moment-Some
Brilliant Plays.

Whoever selected the sticks that the
Holy Cross players are using this sea-
son exercised remarkably good judg
ment They picked out a bunch of
bats in which there are no holes, but
which are loaded from handle to end
with everything in the shape of bin
giles"
Capt Brennan trotted out the bats
yesterday for use in the first game of
the season with Boston university, and
for about two honrs person in South
Worcester might be excused if he
thought another running fight with
Cervera's fleet was on. The constant
sharp crack sounded like six-inch
gun, and there was an occasional home
run which would recall the 13-inch
monster.
Boston university was in the game,
and it wasn't "in the game" 1t ran
against a tough proposition, as can be
seen by the score-17 to in favor of
the local boys. In every department
of the national game, Boston university
was outclassed. But it was in hitting
that Holy Cross superiority was most
manifest. The purple-stockinged men
had an eye that could have discerned
mcrobe if it came from the pitchers
box.
For the early season of the year, it
1orr fnr
sun shone bright and strong, and there
was no cold in the air to make players
nurse their throwing arms lest they be-
came full of glass.
A brisk wind blew across the diamond
from right centre, but there was no
cold in it, and the only effect it had
was to give the pitchers a good oppor-
tunity with the curve which swings
into a right hand batsman. Neither
appeared to take particular advantage
of the direction of the wind, however.
The game could hardly be called a
contest for Holy Cross. 1t was too
much like a walkover for that The
Holy Cross boys had it all their own
way, and after the first few innings,
began making experiments, feeling they
could afford to.
About 400 spectators, including few
of the tender sex. witnessed the game,
with relish which was principally due
to its being the opening game. There
was not enough excitement to keep
their interest alive and the only fea-
ture which was thoroughly enjoyed
was the excellent batting qualities
which some of the Holy Cross men
showed. Although the Boston boys
did not give the local collegians a run
for their money. the work of the lat
ter was what the spectators wanted to
see, in order to size the team up on
lines of comparison with former teams.
Hardly any conclusions can be drawn
from Yesterdays game. 1t was too
easy for Holy Cross. Knowles, the
opposing pitcher, is not of the calibre
that Holy Cross will have to meet
during the season, which is fortunate
thing for pitchers of other college
teams. Mr.. Knowles had no trouble
finding the bat every time he faced a
batsman. He is a passable pitcher,
but that class isn't strong enough for
Holy Cross.
He hadn't much speed and nothing
less than an affidavit would make some
people believe he had a curve in his
repertory Against such a man 1t is
hard to tell what the real batting
strength of Holy Cross will be, but the
bows of the royal purpIe showed the
earmarks of hitters yesterday. They
certainly slammed the ball good ana
hard" and swung cleanly. They gave
every indication of being able to con-
meet with the ball fairly and promise
to develop a strong hitting team.
In fielding it is impossible to tell
from yesterdays game how the team
will pan out. No team jumps into the
blue ribbon class on its first appear
ance on the diamond. The men were
fast on their feet, however, which is
an excellent trait and full of life all the
time There are no crockery arms
among the players.
The new men gave great promise.
O'Reilly hit finely and ran bases ike a
deer. He is a fast man on the bases,
and if any of the other candidates dis
place him they will have to keep NOV
| ing. Carney was in the box for the
coiIegians. He is a left-hander and
won his game easily. He had poor
AGGREGATION of hitters to face, however
and il would appear that Carney VIII
have to pitch faster ball than he dId
Yesterday to get regular place. he
showed remarkable strength with the
| stick, however If he hit at his regu-
! lar Gait he will shove somebody aside
| for such hitting as he did yesterday
can't be spared. He bats lett-handeo
and has a clean, free swing at the ball
| His batting yesterday appeared to DC
| raf11raI and not a streak of luck for q
| single game only. Connors showed ur
well both in the field and at bat. He
| certainly has a good wing IN thal
right arm of his. Linnehan, Wht
| nitched last year, played second. II
Holy Cross can get better man for the
| nosition it will have the leader of the
| college teams. He had no eXceptional ly
hard work to do yesterday, bu- what
work he had was done so easily auc
| gracefully that it is easy to see he car
| take care of anything that belongs Ic
him. He is also a good sticker. Fox
| who captained the team for two years
is playing as fast as ever at third dnc
| is hitting better than ever. He didn
have good luck in his batting yester-
| dav. but he lined the ball out fair
! Everything that went off his bat was
sharp hit right on line.
A. feature which was shown to great
advantage was an ability to bunt tla'
| sIirpasses anything of former years. i
NAV be that Knowles was so easy the
feature showed up prominently. Blu
the men did it so well that they
should be able to bunt eXcellently
AGAINST any pitcher. They certainly
fried the bunt when it was the wrong
thing TO do. but it was done with pur
nose The team had such a lead anC
victory assured so it could afford L
practice bunting. They did it cleverly
w. H. Supple of Holliston umpire'
the game. He will officiate regularl!
for Holy Cross. which is fortunate TO
HOLY Cross. if he can do as well as h
did in the opening game. He used goo'
Judgment. and made no questionable
decisions. His judgment on balls AM
strikes was perfect.
Not knowing the ability of its oppo
rents. Holy Cross started in for bust
ness and played a good game. Con
nors hit one that Knowles would Civ
the right of way even in dark alley