The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-03
DOG BREAKS UP BASEBALL PRACTICE.
Amusing Incident on the Brooklyn's Grounds
Mascot stopped the Disorder.

Previous TO the ball game at Washington
Park, Brooklyn, the other day a small yellow
dog made her appearance In deep centrefleld.
over near the clubhouse. The players were
going through the preliminary practice at the
time and the dog started up the field toward
the diamond M q brisk trot. She had Just
about reached near second base when a ground
ball came tearing along the grass. Dahlen.
who had rushed over from short, stopped down
to pick il up. but the dog spied II the same in
slant and with a bound grabbed II In her mouth
and rushed of with it toward first base. while
the shortstop looked on in surprise. Several
Of the players made attempts TO get the ball
from the dog. but she raced out Of reach every
time they came near her. Finally they gave
il up and the practice was resumed when
the dog dropped the ball she held and gave
chase after one that one OF the flelders had let
get away.
Some time after this the dog succeeded in
getting away with about every other ball that
came along, She evidently found that kind
too easy. for she began TO show an interest in
all the Az balls thnt were being hit. II was
apparent by her actions after awhile that she
had decided that she would take a chance any
way, and the next fy ball that was hit she scam-
pcred of IN the direction I, was gong ana AT AL
open. She missed II, but the PLAYERS all agreed
il was a good try and several fly balls were hit
in that direction To see what she would do. She
failed 10 hold enc Of them, but made such plucky
efforts. despite The fact that the ball must nave
hurt her every time II struck, that the few people
who wero watching The ball team practice be-
gan 10 applaud and the players themselves
stopped 10 watch. Finally. the dog also began
TO enthu,c. with the result that size tried 10
stop both ny and ground balls at the anne
time. and in 20 dolnE wa frequently knocked
down by the hard-hit balls that the players
purposcly drove In her direction.
II seemed n II he dog would never grow
tired. and aS II was u casc of more run thHn
practice n man was called ~ cha I" the dog on
Inc field. This wa "a .ior laid than done, ~
the man found ont. for tho dog led hun a merry
chase from one end Of the field 10 the other.
Several of the PLAYERS also Joined IN IN" chase,
a. did n number of small hov,. but this, together
with the yelling and whi.iine from the crowd.
only made the doc run the faster ana inally
the cha ,rrs had to top ont 81 breath to TAKE a
rpst. The dog In the menntim" found, another
ball and was having n fine old time all TO her,
self while her ptr t"r, wero deviSlng some
,chpme 10 catch her. Thcy were lust starting
team mn cot. arrcared on the scene; lie, too.
was invited 10 give cha - but 10 only got ono
rlinit 80 of tho dog ~ she rushed bv with pnrker,
the ground keeper, in hot niir.uil, when he
threw up both lands and exclaimed
Why, say. dat mine. ] can gr' her IN n
minute. just trow scr optics on me and don't
,nv n word"
Then TO ovner Of tho yellow dog emitted n
few shrill viii Ties and began 10 call Here.
Nell, Here. Nell''"
Nell immediately stored in her play and
started for Tho mascot with n rush, and when
she reached where he stood he grabbed her
nv the neck and Walked on, while the perspiring
crowd Of chasers looked "a II they wished that
Nell's owner had turned up sooner. II Is sak4
that Nell has been barred from the grouo4A