The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-09-05

sCrIeoka vs.. the soldiers-k Badly
Disappointed Crowd.

Disappointed Crowo.
Did You ever see a bum game Of
base baliI II you never nave. you
missed a splendid opportunity last
Friday.
The game between the Culleoka
team and the soldier boys was billed
10 start at o clock. and a crowd OF
enthusiasts went at the appointed hour
TO see a game of ball But for nearly
an hour the players preferred to prac-
tice rather than TO play. The fact that
the crowd did not care to see them
practice. did not enjoy that sort OF
thing, did not seem to occur to them.
They were enjoying 1t themselves,
and all the crowd had to do was TO
wait.
Finally the game was called and
they started to play ball. Then they
changed their minds and practiced
some more. Again they made another
feint at ball playing, several feints In
fact, but between times berated the
umpire and sassed each other and de-
layed the game and wearied the crowd
and did little of everything except
play ball.
1t was a great disappointment to the
crowd. They knew the teams could
play good ball, and they had quit their
business and paid their money to see
them play; and to see them scrap and
wrangle and practice instead. was
disappointing. not to say disgusting.
II the ball players expect or rope to
popularize the game, they must play
when they promise to play. And they
must have some order and discipline
among themselves. Every dispute
should be left to the umpire and the
two captains or managers. The idea
of the fielders and the rOoters running
in. is ridiculous. And the spectators
should be kept outside the lines; and
the lines should be far enough back
SO that the players may have chance
and every body see. The crowd that
hung around the home plate yesterday,
not only INSTRUCTED the view OF every
other visitor (who had as much right
to see the batter and catcher as they
had but made it impossible for the
umpire or catcher to do themselves
Justice. Frequently the umpire could
not see the catcher. and often the
catcher could not see first. 1t was
miserably managed game. There seemed
to be no head to it. And unless q deci-
ded improvement is made along this
line the gate receipts will show a de-
cided falling off.
In the first inning CulleOka went to
the country, and White, of the Arsenal
team, came first to bat. By favor
of the umpire and error in fielding he
got first. Trying to steal second he
ran into Elem Thomas, who was
handling a throw from catch. striking
him in the side with his head or
shoulder, and throwing him heavily
to the ground, Thomas head striking
the ground with much force. 1t was
an accident, pure and simple, but one
very much to he regretted, as the
injury to young Thomas threatens to
be serious.
No bones were broken. and no posi-
tive evidence Of internal injury has
been discovered but from the shock
received he has been in semi un-
conscious condition since, which is
not ut all reassurlng to his physician
or his friends. He was carried, after
the game was over, to DIR. Pillow
infirmary, where he still is.
Elem Thomas is son of the late
Reece Thomas. He is not only one OF
the best ball players in his team. but
he is one of the most courteous and
gentlemanly young men in the county.
He. has been chosen by Trustee Cannon
to be his deputy, and we sincerely
hope that this accident will not in
terfere with his future.
John Fleming. the 12-year-old son
of W. s. Fleming, ESQ.,. was hit by a
wild ball. John thought he was
goner, ana cried Justify, "oh lordy, I'm
. dead, I'm dead. But he was mt.
He was back on the bleachers roofing
again in a very few minutes.
Smiser for the Culleokas made a
beautiful running catch back Of the
third base foul line, and there were
other very good individual plays. but
the continuous chewing Of the rag
SO completely spoiled the game that
we will not attempt the detail report
that had been intended.
The score stood 8 to 4 in favor OF
Il