Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-03

| ROCK Island made successful get
away in the chase for the Western
| Baseball association championship
| banner. defeating Rockford in one of
the warmest and most brilliantly play
ed games ever witnessed in these Dig
gins. 1t required dozen innings to
determine the victor The visitors
were parading around with two ma
iority on their slate, feeling apparent
lv as safe as a duck in water, when
Sage's players shouldered their hick-
cries in the ninth. Few there were
who even entertained a shadow of a
hope for the Rock Islanders.
Sage called his braves together.
Charles Doom, he of the au-
burn skypiece carpet and the
rich red smile, led the march to the
rubber. Charley can usually be de-
pended upon to do good turn for his
country when it is most needed, and
he didn't fail this load of ratings.
He swished and he smashed and sent
the sphere on a trip with instructions
not to show up until he had squared
his plantations upon the first bag.
Richard Chosen dittoed. Assisted by
wild throw by Snyder and a safer
from the middle of Bobby Rothermel's
willow Doom and Chosen trotted
around the circuit, singing in most
beautiful harmony that old, yet pleas
ing and soothing ballad, Home,
Sweet Home" 1t brought tears
TO the lamps of Hines and
his boys. No onions were used either.
1t was on the square with them.
They were all shot to pieces. The
Rock Islanders were given new heart.
They were buoyed up by the enthu-
siastic shouts from the spectators.
1t was dead easy now. The visitors
made a desperate rally to finish on
the winning side. Their gooslings
were cooked, and the band played
BREAK the News to Mother"
A Fine Turnout.
All this happened at the park out
on Twelfth street between and
O'Clock Yesterday afternoon. Never
before in the history of Rock Island
has baseball been accorded such uni
vcrsal public recognition. The occa-
sion was made holiday. Not
business house which prom
ised is known to have failed to
close during the game. The weather
was very discouraging, however. 1t
up. Just as the teams and Bleuer's
band started out on their parade an
other shower swooped down upon us.
But the ardor of the enthusiasts was
not to be so easily dampened and
chilled. Parents and their families
braved the elements As conse-
quence every inch of room at the park
was occupied. The ladies were much
in evidence.
The first ball was tossed over the
plate by Mayor William McConochie,
who was accorded the warm hand
when he meandered to the twirler's
box. The mayor threw a straight
ball. 1t went wide of the rubber,
though, so Rothermel, the first man
up, did not strike at it.
In accordance with 4 new rule the
batteries were announced to the
audience by Umpire Robert Carothers.
Rock Island scored twice in the open
ing inning on n base on balls by Roth |
ermel, and singles by O'Rourke and Be- |
tenus. The home plate remained cold |
thereafter until the fifth, when Rock
ford, by lucky hitting and assisted by |
costly errors by the opposing team,
bagged four.
There we're numerous pretty plays |
in the succeeding three innings, but not |
a man crossed the plate. As said be-
fore, Rock Island landed two in the |
ninth, tieing the visitors. In the
18th the home team scored twice and |
the visitors once. Thus was hand
some victory deservedly won.
Rock Island. Rockford.
X. u. y. A.. y. X n. T.. A. r /
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