The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01

When Il became definitely settled that
this city would not be represented in the
National League by team, the promoters
of the local league. which came into being
last year, at once took up the work of
reviving The organization for this season,
along the lines OF last summer, with a
dash of professionalism to make the game
more gingery. AS result of the reor-
ganization, local followers of the game
were given the best league of local players
the city has ever had. The games played
In National Park have for the most part
been well played and hotly contested and
as substitute for National League ball
has proven most enjoyable to those who
have attended.
Notwithstanding the excellent athletic
entertainment furnished by the manage
ment the attendance has been very small
and looking at it from business stand
point, the results have been very diseour-
aging
ASIDE from the excellent quality OF
game being played, ii seems to me, re-
marked an officer of the league, that
there should be enough rooters and fellow
members OF the various teams to make up
an encouraging attendance each game day.
Aside from this. he continued, there
ought to be enough local pride TO see
home players pitted against each other.
Certainly the games they play are as well
and as scientifically played as most of
the college games seen here and equally
as interesting as some League games
seen in former days" This is about the
way 1t stands. 1t is discouraging TO the
management, which is at no small eX-
pense for rental of grounds and for the
sundry costs which go with such an under
taking, but it is disheartening to the
players.
officials of the League.
Athletes in every line feel repaid for
their efforts when they hear the roar OF
appreciation, the applause of the lockers
on. This does not come from empty stands
and bleachers 1t is hoped that with the
games beginning tomorrow, G. p. o. and
Corcorans, and the two games, morning
and afternoon, July 4, between the East
ern A. C. and G. P. o., that there will
be a noticeable increase in attendance.
At the opening CT the season Adam
Johnson, who organized last years league,
was reelected and he continued to give
it his best attention until his business
the league. Upon his resignation Arthur
Mccormick, well known to athletes in
every line, and a member of the firm of
Tappan & Co.. was honored with the .presi-
dency. Mr.. johnson is now on his way
to I'LL an official position in Alaska.
The vice president of the league is DR..
F. Housed, manager Of last winters cham
pion Eastern Athletic Club basketball team,
and filling like position for the ball
nine.
Secretary E c. Edwards is well known
as the captain of the Corcoran Cadets
and manager OF his team. He is promi-
nent in local athletics.
The treasurer is Ed Rice, jr.. of the
Eastern Athletic Club, an enthusiastic
follower Of all lines of athletic sport.
The delegates representing the six teams
in the league are: DR.. F. Housed and VIII
Wright of Eastern Athletic Club; Captain
Edwards and Guista, Corcoran Cadets;
S. Solomon and Brown, Government Print
Ing Office; r. H. Cox and J. W. Pass,
Alexandria; H. Dawson and A. S. Rabbit,
Rockville, and Mel. B. Rideout and r. f.
LeMat, Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion. The league is fortunate in having
William Belts as its official umpire. He
is fair and competent, and always gives
satisfaction. The trying position of scorer
is ably filed by H. Suffer.
During the past month two games have
been protested and one forfeited, the lat
ter by Rockville to the G. p o., through
the ron-appearance of the Marylanders.
The protested games are now before the
league for action. In both instances the
protests were made by the Corcorans, and,
Is many of the members believe, with good
reason. The first in connection with the
game played by the cadets with the Rock |
yilles. on the grounds of the latter. On |
account of the absence of q league umpire |
five local persons essayed to officiate, and |
the visiting players assert that their de- |
cisions were SO unfair that the game was |
almost farcical. and of course one-sided, |
leaning to the home team.
The second protest was filed against the |
G. p. o. for playing ineligible players I'M
der Article 10, sections and 3, which, in
effect, says: That all players must be
signed FIVE days before playing with a
team, and contracts with such players must
be in the hands OF the league secretary be-
fore they can be played. Any team play
ing such ineligible players forfeits the |
game in which they appear"
The league has rules and II is only fair |
that all hands should live up to their pro-
visions. The life of an organization de- |
ponds upon the enforcement of rules made |
and adopted.
The games protested and forfeited are |
included in the following standing OF |
teams, and will remain until action has |
been taken by the league.