Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-27
OPERA BALL PLAYERS.
Miss Alice Nielsen and Ariie Latham
the UmpireS.

The members of the Alice Nielsen Opera
Company hugely enjoyed a couple of hours
sport this morning in endeavoring to get
back into their boyhoOd days and play the
national game of base ball. Two teams
were selected, one by Joe Cawthorn, whom
they called Foxy Joe" before the game
was over, and the other by Nicholson, the
former team winning after three innings
play by the score OF % to 10.
Cawthorn very evidently sized up his men
before he persuaded Assistant Manager
Hale of the company to agitate the question
of playing ball. and when the subject came
up and it decided to undertake game
he quickly gobbied up the best players of
the company. Big Metcalf, who is a fine
player, and Eugene CoWes were on his side,
the formers coaching helping out consid-
erably.
Miss Nielsen was selected as umpire, with
Arlie Latham as her assistant to call out
the balls and strikes. The little prima
donna was periodically and tastefully at
tired in becoming suit of red, white and
blue. and, like Yankee Doodle" a tall
feather stuck out from becoming light Fee
dora. Her dress was dark blue, the waist
white and snugly fitted jacket was of the
brightest red. As an umpire Miss Nielsen
was a great success. if her inattention to
the game can be overlooked, but few de-
csions being questioned, the only protest
coming from her brother who was promptly
fined s..
Richard Golden played right field-they
called him Dick before the contest went
very far-and he was the star of the oc-
casion Mr. Golden is very well known to
the ball players, and as both the New YORK
and Washington teams were onlookers,
funny play and comments always followed
his appearance at the bat. Richard went
to the bat three times and never hit the
ball, but he scored two runs nevertheless.
At his second turn at the bat, after making
first a base on balls he was purposely
called otu at second on a safe play, and
then for few minutes the fun was fast
and furious. Dick threw his cap on the
ground, jumped on it and then walked
around a circle with his chest extended-a
dead ringer for an injured ball player. The
professionals yelled with delight at this lit
tie bit of realism. Miss Nielsen enjoying the
humor of the thing well as the rest.
The feminine contingent of the company
was out il. full force. and being attired in
brilliant and becoming raiment, added color
to the occasion, their bright and merry
smiles being more impressive than were
their yells of delight or encouragement to
their favorite side About 300 other specta-
tors were on hand, and it is safe to say
heartier laugh has never come their way in
years.
AS to the details of the game little can
be said that would place the aspect of
science upon any play that was pulled off.
The different men generally caught ball
by accident. and were always surprised to
see the ball remain in their hands, while at
the bat 1t was generally a case of shut
your eyes ana Dang away. Joe cav tnorn
played third base for his nine, and although
he had tipped his companions to the fact
that he was a good player 1t was always
noticed that he kept out of the way Of the
ball as much as possible. He caught one
fly, nice little pop. that made him throw
out his chest and for which he was gen.
erously applauded. Maurice Hale was
much In evidence as a batter his triple to
right field being beauty. Everybody
played hand to win for their respective
teams. and although their efforts usually
went for nothing, they will doubtless re-
member the occasion for many days to
come through the aches and pains that
come from unusual and violent exercise
AT the conclusion of the game the defeat
ed team was chased to high timber, and
the victors punched themselves before the
kodak OF Mrs. Cowles and were photo
grabbed souvenir of the occasion.
Light liquid refreshments were on tap in
abundance. the ladies in the grand stand
sharing in this Incidental feature of the
Mornings fun. j. a