Evening star., 1901-12-21
American League Park to Be Con-
siderably Improved,
CARROLLS DEFEAT JOLLY FAT MEN
The Bowling by the Former Team
Finally Won Out.
S PORTS IN GEN ERAL

President Postal and Manager Thomas
Lotus of the Washington base ball club
spent yesterday In visiting old friends I'm
the city and Inspecting the park. Every
thing was found in tiptop shape at the
park, the regular watchman being on hand
to show the party around the inciosure
Mr. LOTUS had heard so much about the
grand stand that he was anxious for a
thorough inspection of the structure. and at
it's conclusion he admitted that it was one
of the finest he had ever come across in
his long experience in base ball.
THE beauty of the stand,' said Mr.
Lotus. sis that 1t is set so low and the
back seats are not much higher than the
front ones in some of the western stands
The action of the st. Louis people in select
ing the Washington stand as model for
their new structure piqued my curiosity
but after an inspection must say they are
working on proper lines.
'Right-field bleacher seats will be moved
back. so as to give room to the players
around first base, but the patrons of that
part of the field will not be inconvenieEced
in the least, as everybody there will be a Bile
to see every part of the diamond.
Improving the Field.
''The field itself will be carefully looked
after as soon as return after the first of
under the bat now I will sod the bare
space back of the batsman, so that the
glare on the eyes of the spectators in the
hot summer will be removed. Out in left
field the fence has sunk foot or more into
the earth, but that can be easily remedied.
AS to putting the fence back further. l
have not fully decided. I believe If the
home team gets the ball over the fence
frequently there will be no kicking from
the spectators. AS the visiting clubs had
almost monopoly of this sort of batting
last season there is little wonder that the
Washington people protested against the
short fence.
The outer gardens will be thoroughly
leveled off and sodded. making beautiful
field. Back of the left field bleachers I will
who drive to the park. and in addition
top dressing of cinders will be laid so that
the carriages will not be mudded on rainy
days. 1 want the Washington people to
understand that / will do everything pos
sible for their comfort when they visit my
ball park, and also that I am positive that
the entertainment that will be given them
on the field will be first class.
The Case of keeIer.
Il see that Frank Dwyer increased his
bid to 5000 for Willie Keeer, going $500
over mine, but 1 don't believe either one
of us will land the great player. The
Brooklyn fans are up in arms against let
ting Keeler go. and John Montgomery
Ward is out with a notice in a Brooklyn
paper that he will be one of hundred to
subscribe enough money to keep Wee VIII
lie in the city of churches. This is re-
markable proceeding, but clearly shows
how well Keeler stands with the Brooklyn
people,"
The base ball enthusiasts employed at the
navy yard were under discussion yesterday
by Messrs. Postal and LOTUS, and many
suggestions were made as to how those
patrons of the game could be taken care
Of. AS it is now. it is a two-fare propo-
sition and a roundabout trip to get to the
park One person suggested that line of
'busses be run from the yard to the park
Nothing definite was arrived at, but if any
feasible plan Is discovered 1t will probably
be given thorough trial by the new man
ager.
The Washington stockholders of the club
met Messrs LOTUS and Postal at base ball
headquarters this morning. 1t was So
cial gathering, and no business was trans
acted or even discussed. Mr.. Lotus was
stranger to all of them, and President
Postal took this opportunity to put him
next to the people from this city who
have confidence in his club as a business
investment.