The age-herald., 1901-09-09

 LTD a good article of base ball, but her peculiar grounds prove very. hard for visiting teams and 1t is believed these conditions account to a certain extent TOT the present standing of the club.
 In the third inning of Fridays game the New Orleans team batted Smiling George for seven safe hits. Six runs were scored and then Newt. Fisher concluded he had had enough of the gold brick for one afternoon and sent him to the bench
 A special correspondent of the New Or leans Picayune says: Umpire Johnstone is rated up here as the best in the league. Doubtless he is, but the visiting clubs met by the Pelicans do not say so. Today he umpired a good game. excepting balls and strikes, but yesterday he was certain ly of in several directions Some teams say mean things about Johnstone favor ing the home team. and offer evidence to prove their statements"
 The Memphis Commercial-Appeal says: Bob Fender thinks Birmingham will fin- ish in the last slot. We've got the best fielding team in the lot now" said Pen der and guess we're hitting some. too. For that reason 1t will be back 10 the bread box with our brother Alaoamianh Perhaps, the sinners can push Blrming- ham to the last hole, but If they do so they will have to put up better article than they have been putting up lately.
 The Nashville Banner says: This afternoon Manager Newt. Fisher will be presented with handsome Oxford teachers Bible by the preachers Of Nash vile in recognition of the high-standard under which he has conducted the game in Nashville this season and as token of appreciation for the same. His name IS gilded on the cover of the volume. ana the kindliest feelings go with the gift. Everyone who has been brought into con tact with Newt. knew that he was very good little boy, but no one in tnis oerg had supposed that his goodness extended to such an extent as to obtain the recog- milton of the Nashville preachers.
 The correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune travelling with the Pelicans thus describes the Nashville base ball park:
 "One would have to see the ball park here to appreciate it. Imagine a nole In the ground ten feet deep and Soo rect sauare surrounded by fence, with earth bank on slant from the pit to the boarding, and you have a fair ioea or Nashville's ball yard.
 Tn this yard Manager Fisher has made several thousand dollars. He started the season by borrowing from twenty six gen tlemen A portion of $lOO each. With about s1 800 he opened business. By July this sum had been returned and the grounds had been improved. Heaven knows what they must have been before the improve ment, and there was a sung sum in bank to Fishers credit. He owns the franchise, but a committee of leading citizens su- perintend the finances and create con- fidence That Is how base ball has pros pered in this city.
 ..It is easy to score a hit on these grounds Any kind of bounder will get clear of an infielder. The surface of the skin diamond is packed clay, with rock as a foundation. It has been levelled, smoothed, and when the city sewerage flooded the park. for the sewer is higher than its underground field, the sun baked the clay like brick. Balls travel like lightning"
 The staff correspondent of the New Orleans .Picayune who is travelling with