The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-05
FIRST GAME OF SEASON
l. THINGs Considered. 1T WAS
NOT 4 BAD CONTEST.
indianapolis Defeated by Buffalo, % TO
Watkins Uses Four Pitchers
Trying the Youngsters.

After a week or more of cold, rainy
weather the sun dispensed a few of it's
warm rays in indianapolis yesterday and
permitted the Indianapolis and Buffalo
baseball teams to line up on the Wash
ington Park battlefield for a game that
was witnessed by about two hundred of the
frs~t-of-the-season fans. 1t was the first
contest of a series of three arranged be-
tween the two ex-American League clubs,
and everything taken into consideration
it was not a bad game of ball. Buffalo
won by a score of 9 TO T.
The ground was a little rough, due to
the fact that it has not been in condition
to be worked for the season, and the play
ers would not take many chances of snap
ping the brittle places in their anatomles
that have not gone through the limbering
process this spring. Manager Carey placed
a team in the field that was but slightly
different from the one that represented
Buffalo in the American League last sea-
son. while Manager Watkins gave his
youngsters a chance, and only three or
four of the faces on the Indianapolis team
were familiar To the fans.
1t was the first time the players of the
two teams have lined up for a game this
season, and their work was commendable
considering their lack of practice. Only
one error was registered by Indianapolis,
while Buffalo made but three misplays.
This showing would be a good one later in
the season after the men have warmed up
TO the game. The fielding was fairly fast,
but it was noticeable that the players re-
spected their arms and took but few
chances on long or quick throws.
THE NEW RULES.
The new rules were followed and they
mat ufth even 1-f+;,;-0o both FROM, tho
spectators and players, the latter proclaim
ing their disgust on several occasions. The
rule calling a foul ball a strike, excepting
when two strikes are called on the batter.
was the object of much criticism. Many
of the batters had strikes called on them
when they hit the ball hard and it went
foul. The rule calling a ball that hits the
batter a ball instead of giving him his base
was also found TO be unjust in the eyes
of the players They claim a pitcher is not
sufficiently penalized for hitting a batter
by having the play called a ball instead of
sending the batsman TO first.
Buffalo used three pitchers during the
game, Hooker, kerwln and AmOle pitching
three innings each I'm the order named.
while Manager Watkins gave Sutthoff. AL
loway, Potter ana Guese turns i'm the box,
rest pitched two each. Three of them
SutthOff, AllOway and Guese-may be all
right when they have had the advantage
OF more practice. but Potter did not i'm
press the spectators as a "phenom" or one
who would make a shining light in the
Western Association this year. 1t may be
too early, however, to judge of his merits.
hut, not taking into consideration the fact
that he was very wild. his general de-
meanor in the box was not in his favor.
OTHER NEW MEN.
shannon and Bey. two Of the new out
felders, did not have opportunities to dis
play their worth. but they both look like
ball players. Hogriever was in right for
six innings, and Houtz was then given Il
chance in that field. Kelly and Flynn at
hrst and short, respectively, put up d
fast article of ball, accepting every chance
six innings and was then relieved by
Smith. Berte was at third, and did we'll.
Ryers and Jessup did the backstop work.
Kelly led with the stick. making four OF
the seven hits credited TO indianapolis.
Sutthoff and Flynn figured in a fast
double play in the second inning that re-
tired the side. Buffalo started off in the
f1rst inning by piling up a trio of runs.
Gettman and Gray found Sutthoff for sim
giles. and then kerwin placed the sphere
IN right for two bases, scoring the two
men. Clymer rolled one toward Kelly that
made him leave his base and Sutthoff COW
cred the bag, retiring the man. Carey
singled. which scored Kerwin, and then
Andrews, the same man that posed for
Ruffalo lost season, struck out. Hogriever
ana Shannon went out when Indianapolis
came to bat. but Bey drew q pass and Was
sent to third on kelly's hit. scoring on
the throw to the plate, which also allowed
Kelly TO reach second. Flynn singled,
scoring Kelly.
Clymer's single and Carey's double off
Alloway In the fourth gave the Buffalos
another tally. while Potter's wildness and
a tumble by him gave the visitors three
during his soiourn in the box. Guese was
found for a single and a couple of doubles
IN the ninth inning. which gave Buffalo
two.
In the eighth Shannon singled and Wen:
&c third when. Amole tried to catch him
tapping and threw wildly to third. Bey's
cut TO the infield scored him. A base on
balls to Jessup. an out and B~ierbauer's
error gave Indianapolis one in the ninth.
Tho cooro.