The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-14

The big league race starts out like a
procession and with about as much eX-
element attached to it as usually
scintillates about a funeral, says The
man who writes baseball for the Oma-
ha Bee. 1t may be deemed a bit too
early yet to commence a hammer
chorus al the expense of the major or
SANITATION. but there seems to be little
doubt that it will be more hampered
this year by weak tailenders than in
Years gone by. Washington and Cleve-
land are undoubtedly dead 'uns, who
will not be revivified at any stage in
the season. Pittsburg looks to be in
the same class, but will probably pick
up later in the season. New York, how
ever, is as good as the Giants will ever
get unless Rusie and Seymour are add
ed to the twrling staff. With dead
weights like these the race can never
be of much interest even if a fight
should take place in the upper stretch
of the league circuit. Eight clubs would
result in a rafting run for the pennaCt,
especially if the weaker clubs Of the
octet were strengthened from the re-
SnainS of the fur that should be
dropped. This may come to rasS even
lefore the end Of the season. In the
meantime the interest of the average
fan is centered in some individual aE-
The upper sSeXtet is N a neck-and-necil
struggle. The new Browns are holding
The pole bravely, but Il slump VIII lose
them the place. Boston, as usual,
starts out poorly. Season aftcr season
the Beaneaters lag behind until II ne
comes and then lake brace
President Johnson has interpreted
the balk rule differently thar has been
the general anderson ling IF it. He
has instructed his unpires to permit
the pitcher - n'ake any motirrs he
cares to second a1d 'ni,d wh'n men
are on these bases. When a base "un-
ner is on first and the ritcher turns to
throw he must throw the ball to first
unless the runner has started to run
to second. Then he can throw Ia sec
ond, but the runner must be CT his
way. In the event that foul bah has
been batted or a throw has been made
to an infielder, a pitcher cannot stand
in front of the pitching slab unless he
has the ball in his hand. Such action
is interpreted as one to fool base
runner. A ballt is to be called on such
a play and the base runner given a
base. President Johnson has also in
structed umpires to give a batsman his
base on all balks In the event that
there is no opportunity for a play at
third base or second base. the third
baseman and second baseman are to
give a clear field to all base runners
under penalty. the base being given if
there is any interference.
Manager Bancroft will take a team
to Cuba next winter. While in Chi
cago Banny was approached by Pitch
ers Griffith and Callahan. of the Chi
cago team. Both are anxious to make
the trip, and they requested that Ban
my open negotiations and get the mat
ter in shape. Elmer Smith is, up to
date, the only member of the CjnCin-
natl team who has expressed a willing
ness to make the trip. "Griffith and
Callahan" said Banny. ARE anxious
to go They told me that they had n
man who would back the venture, and
that they wanted me TO manage it.
consented. and they promised to dig up
their hacker. We expect 10 leave in
November. and / can see no reason
why it should not be a success from Il
financial point of view. | viii take one
of the strongest teams that can 10
gathered. Griffith and Callahan and
Elmer Smith are a strong trio 10 star
on. We will not take over nine players.
A small boy. name not known. won
recent game for Pittsburg in the
ninth inning. At the opening of the
ninth inning the score stood six to one
in favor of Louisville, but PittSburg
began hitting the ball. Three runs had
crossed the plate. and Rcitz and Tan
nehill were on the bases when the in
down the right field line, The ball
looked foul, but the umpire said not.
Far beyond first base the bah hit 4
snag and bounded out to the right.
Bearing down toward the door through