Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-09
a. BtRRY's.

With the pennant flag flying to the
breeze overhead, a brass band playing
Patriotic airs, and the noblest and most
earnest band of rooters splitting the well
Kin with their cheers, the baseball sea-
ron Of 1899, was inaugurated here yester-
day afternoon.
one had but to see the multitude which
assembled at Broad-street park to wit
less the opening game, TO be assured that
IN the national sport, is not on the wane
as many have claimed. There were full
ly 1000 people on the beacherics and in
the grandstand running the scales of
life from the Governor of Virginia who
sat In a private box, TO the little picca-
rinuy, who watched the play from the
vantage point afforded by conveniently
located telegraph pole.
THE HOME BOYS WIN.
Richmond won the game, and this fact
caused the large crowd TO fairly bubble
over with enthusiasm. The cheering was
Voclferous. Richmond not only achieved
victory; her nine heroes won in a walk.
and distinguished themselves in the eyes
q the multitude, but there was one in
the nine who achieved such distinction
as IS seldom gained by a ball-player He
was applaudcd almost as much as if he
had been veteran Of Santiago, or Ma
Mia.
Tommy Hess deserved all the applause
D. received, for he played quite the pluck
lest game that has been seen on the To-
cal diamond. Tommy was behind the
hat and Steelman, the only other catch
tr on the team, was crippled beyond the
possibility of his participating in the con-
test The little catcher was welding the
willow in the third inning. when Hern-
Con served him up a straight, fast BAH,
which found Judgment against his temple.
The doughty little fellow was felled as
though an axe had been used. and he had
70 De carried TO the bench. where 1t was
found that he had received rather pain
I'll injuries
Dr. Oppenhlmer attended him, and
Manager Wells was in quandary,
Knowing not who he could put behind the
Dat. However, when II came time Tor
some one to don the mitt and mask Hess
bravely stepped forward while the spec
iaiors reared their delight Though the
blood was streaming down his face, ana
be wore an expression as If he had taken
core. he continued TO work behind the
fat, his wounds being dressed at inter-
Nais by the physician
HOME RUNS THAT COUNTED.
Aside from the heroic work of Hess
Seyo0ld was easily the hero OF the game
Tor just az the most opportune moments
Ne lifted two balls over left-neid renee,
making home runs. and scoring fiVe OF
"thmond's seven runs.
CAesbto was in the box for Richmond,
ana Hernd0n for Newark. Both We're
gwen gllt-edged support. but Chesbro was
" Tor the most effective of the TWO. ana
Ae made sport of the Newark pa'sneh'
Fale the Richmond batsmen at tins
haie sport OF Herndon's delivery.
li was not until the third inning mat
Wy locals opened up on Herndon 10 any
'preciable extent. Ii was I'm this INNING
~ SeybOld gave am exhibition Oh NE
Tug powers Two men-Chesbro. VINO
"a hit. and Dolan. who had been mt
'fe on bases, and two men were out
remained for Seybold TO do the WORK
id-weli, he did II. He waited Tor IL
nee slow one. gave his bat a wrench Oh
"o ana then. with a prodigious swlpe'
Af connected with the bali somewhere III
me Vicinity Of the trademark. and up aho
.Nay II went, sailing over the heads OF
we crestfallen Newark lads: then over
"e ience and into an apple orchard.
VI course the bases were cleared. ana
Nn'n the crowd got through hollerlng
"Na me dust had subsidized the boy VINO
,Aercises his artistic ability on the black
oe'd' scored up three runs for Rich
~'Aa. In the seventh inning. Seybold
~ N his work again. Only one man
80. 20, men on base. but the big left-hcider
~~so The ball just the same lie drove