The Portland daily press., 1899-05-11
A Game With Lots of
Features"
Brockton, Fitchburg and Taun-
ton Also Win.

opened auspiciously enough in
Portland yesterday. The sun shone
warm and sweetly, the breezes
were bland as baby's breath and the
people turned out In sufficient numbers
to encourage those who have been instru-
mental in restoring the sport to this city
after two years of long and weary alb
sence.
The attendance was not SO big that the
stockholders saw any rich returns in way
of dividends ACQUIRING to themselves, but
no one expects that in minor league bass
hall, and all hands will no doubt feel
satisfied If it does not prove too expensive.
Incidentally the season opened auspici-
ously because the home team won, but of
that we'll have something to say later.
1t did seem good to get out on the old
weather worn benches once more. howl
when things were coming your way, say
un-nice words perchance under yourbreath
when 1t was going against you, roast
the umpire or smile upon him when he
gives you the big end of 1t. All this Is
base ball and all this we had chance to
do upon yesterday.
Perhaps there is no more delightful
moment to the true lover of base ball
than, wheI the other fellows have got
ahead of you and your heart has sunk
way below your short ribs, and the
world looks dark. and there are spots on
the sun, the home team suddenly discov-'
ers itself and goes at the opposing pitcher
hammer and tongs and pounds out q
victory. Such a thing occurred in yes
terday's game, and it was the most soul
satisfying of the many weird and eerie
features of this strangest of all strange
opening conflicts.
Surely there was never worse ball play
ing seen anywhere than the home team
was guilty of at ole period, surely never
such paraly zing base running, and yet at
times you could ask for no more brilliant
work, and as fur the hitting, it was balm
to the lacerated soul of the spectator.
For the first inning there was beauti-
full work on both sides. Cambridge took
the bat and our men trotted across MIR.
applause. Miller was in the box. and
Kelley, polo referee, held the indicator.
The season had started.
Zaeder. who is big fat pretty Dutch
boy, was first up for the visitors, and
was permitted to walk by Miller. Glenn
was thrown out prettily by Counihan,
advancing Zaeder. Butnam. an old
Maine State league player, now took his
turn. He hit to John Smith and was
out. Zaeder thought he saw chance to
progress another base and started for
third. 1t was a mistake. By one of the
prettiest throws imaginable Portland S
manager sent the ball to Sullivan and MIR.
Zaede- was out in a charming double
play. What delightful moment
Spratt and Nolbitt were thrown out
ON two pretty plays, but Counihan hit
safely for two bags. Smith advanced
him with safe one and then came Sui
livan's turn. He caught the first one up
for sharp drive to left field. 1t was
first blood for Portland, and an earned
run at that.
We hasten over the first part Of the sec
ond inning when the visitors were shut
out to tell you of one of the most re-
markablo happenings base ball team
was ever concerned in. You might not
believe that withthree men up who batted
out three safeties with total of six, q
team could be, retired without single
tally, yet that Is precise.
ly what happened, and If
you were not there to see it, 1t will BIZ
Ia 10 hnx
done. loft was the first man up and hit
for ono base. He tried to steal second
made dumb start and was an easy out.
Clark hit spanking one over the bicycle
track which was good for two sacks
without a murmur. But Clark stepped
off his bag and Glenn, who had the ball
concealed in his ramient, touched him.
Now all this would have been very sad,
even disgusting, but just listen to what
came next.
Miller drove another one over the track;
such beauty it was, too. But Miller
has a game leg. and runner took his
plnce at first and trotted almost to third.
He seemed to tie anchored all safe
enough, when some one in the grand
stand said it would be funny If they
should call him out, too. As he spoke
some one tossed the ball to Murphy who
touched Miller's runner. A group Of ex-
cited ball players gathered about and
there was much gesticuation and some
severe talk, no doubt. but the end of it
all was that the runner came in and SO
did all the Cambridge players. Our side
had been shut out, The trouble was
that no one had asked leif or consent for
Miller to have the runner.
The second performance on the part
of the Portland club which was neither
strange, odd or funny, but simply rot
ten," and use the word adyisedly. came
in the fourth. won't harrow your feel