The times., 1899-02-05
BASEBALL IN THE
ISLAND OF CUBA
Ted Sullivan Talks of His Re-
cent Visit.
Popularity of Our National Game
in Havana.
Enthusiasm Displayed by Fair Sc
n0ritas-PIans for bringing n
Team Here.

of baseball who has done as much, prob
ably, as any man living toward giving the
sport national character, has returned
from Havana, where he went upon tour
of investigation with reference to per-
manent organization of ball clubs upon
that island In a talk with the sporting
editor of The Times, Mr.. Sullivan said:
THE conditions at Havana and through
out the island at this time, by reason OF
the ravages and desolation of the war;
might not warrant the establishing of a
league of clubs there. Outside of the city
of Havana that subject has not been dis
cussed. The Cuban people love sport and
recreation, and baseball, wherever 1t has
been introduced and understood, is one oil
their favorite pastirnes. and l honestly be-
lieye that it will finally supersede that an,
tique, barbarous, and alleged sport, bull
fighting. The Cuban people maintain in a
large measure the characteristics and ira
ditions of their Aztec ancestors. They are
high minded, game, and of sanguine tenn
perament Jealous and enthusiastic IN all
things that afford them pleasure or eA-
citement.
Il have seen as much enthusiasm upon
the ball field in Cuba as in America. The
senoritas are ardent admirers OF baseball,
and il is their custom when player makes
a home run hit TO decorate his bat with
ribbons.
Il saw two games of ball in Havana,
between picked nine of American SOL
diers and nine composed of Cubans. The
Cubans were easily the victors in both
contests The Cubans regard the Ameri-
cans as masters of the sport and when
one of their teams defeat a team of Ameri-
cans they become disguised and believe
they have not been up against the real
thing and regard a victory as the result
| of fake. Therefore, an American team
| once defeated by Cubans ceases to be an
attraction. 1t is amusing and entertaining
to witness a Cuban coaching base run
ners. Their demonstrations are OF the vocal
| order interspersed with all sorts of buck,
| wing and sun dances, which would send
| Tom Tucker to the shade of bushes: but
| the endearing terms of encouragement
| that they direct to the base runner. while
| vehement, are not so emphatic as those
used by Pat Tebeau and others, yet they
seems to be successful.
Not understanding Spanish an Ameri-
| can could not thoroughly enjoy this par'
of the sport. When long hit or good
play is made, .Cherembo Senor' seems tt
| be the popular expression of approval
which | suppose is the same as saying
! Good boy term Americans use. The
accommodations, in the way of fields ant
| grandstand, are very good. OF course, thu
| grandstands are not as extensive and ele
CANT as the average in our major league
yet they will compare favorably with tn,
best of our minor leagues in this regard
The American manufactured bail is uni
versally used"
IN answer to a question, Ted says: ="
am arranging to bring q team OF Cuban
| to the United States next spring and viii
| tour the Southern States during the sum
mer, the climate there being adapted Il
their physical conditions. | will select tn
best material possible. ! have two object
in view in this enterprise. In the frs
place, / want the Cubans to see how tn
game is played here in all its departments
and to familiarize themselves with tn
technique of the sport, an art of whicl
they are now ignorant. l mean by tina
all OF the fine points that please and de
light the spectators. These things the
must learn IN order TO become stars, an
there is no place upon earth where tn
science can be so easily and satisfactory
acquired as In the United States.
Il want TO give them a regular cours
from the sophomore to the senior and grad
uating classes in order TO meet all conner
when they return to their native heath.
d
next winter for protracted stay, so yo
see / am interested in establishing sever;
teams of Cubans there that can play th
game so that contests may be character
lied by scientific exhibitions that will al
tract both American and Spanish patron
age.
Il believe the climate of Cuba would
desirable place for glass arm ball play
ers, provided they could stay there Ion
enough to become thoroughly acclimate,
never saw native ball player there wi
complained of sore arm or charlie
horse II may be, however. that upon
more intimate acquaintance with our pla!
ers they might become foxy and husbaT
their resources by frequent lay-offs und'
the pretext OF sore arms or other phys
cal disabilities but they will never &
that down as fine as our Yankee ball pla,
ers."
Asked as TO what he thought of Il
deals recently made by the Washingtt
: club, Ted, with a significant twinkle of h
> eyes, said II do not care to particua
iZe, but Irwin has materially strengthens
his team by these trades. The Irish al
' the Yankees are the best ball players.
= am not stuck on Dutch ball players; a
!, lists are very scarce among this class
players. Figuratively speaking they a
ways ride with their backs TO the engil
and never see anything until they ha
I passed it"
) TnuNcnN HAN