The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-13
BASE BALL.
SHAMEFUL ASSAULT ON THE
GROUNDS YESTERDAY.
One of Raleigh's Men BrutaIIy
Struck n Wilmington Player with
m Battle Came Within an Ace of
Being Mobbed-RaIeigh Won the
Game-Score = to 2

h promised in the beginning yes
terday afternoon to be ar interesting
game OF ball was married early in its
progress by the foulest and most dis
gushing episode that has ever been wit
messed on a Wilmington diamond, de-
stroying all further interest in the game
TO h 700 spectators present, and taking
the entire snap out OF the Wilmington
team. Traeger, Raleigh's left fielder,
when at the bat in the first half Of the
second inning, became incensed and ar
gumentative at the umpire'3 calling a
strike on him; Fisher, Wilmington's
catcher, taking part in the argument,
probably without good ground, as the
decision was given in favor or his team,
but just as is often done by players in
such matters. seemed TO so much fur
Their incense Traeger that he either spat,
or attempted to do so, in Fishers face.
This called for a slap in the face from
Fisher. whereupon Tracger dealt him
a most ~cowardly and vicious blow in
the side from the neavy bat in his
hands. Pandemonium then reignd for
L. NAASB 0AAo oNS " NlC lIiCi oAAo 4AIA-
pie police Interference the consequences
to the offender would nave been seri-
Gus. it is believed. The police. of whom
the city had provided quite q number
at the grounds at the request of the
new management, soon carried Traeger
over the fence and 20 the city hall,
where he was placed under a $50 bond.
Such al occurrence just Upon the OPEN
ing game here under the new auspices
- most 1nn1n~o hIn and &c rnornffn1 hu
the Wilmington management, for
which. however, they cannOt in the
least be held to blame. Men like
Traeger, who have so little m
of their passions. should not be allowed
to play in the league, and President
Busbee will do well to make an immedi-
ate example Of this case by ordering
him out of the game. and taking such
steps as will prevent his playing ball
elsewhere with teams under association
protection.
As the blow inflicted was from a
deadly weapon It is not likely that the
authorities will permit his taking his
leave without a trial before the criminal
court. We cannot believe that such a
thing will happen again in the season,
and the Wilmington management will
take steps to prevent it here.
Fisher at last accounts last night was
doing we'll at the Walker Memorial hos
DlIal, ana MS uOcIOrS I0lnk ne Will DC
in the game again within a few days.
In the meantime he will be sOrely
missed.
The new men secured by Manager
Mace showed up exceptionally well-es-
pecially Lawson at short, O'Neil at sec
ond and Hines In left field. Krause's
pitching was. however. below the stand
ard. While he showed good speed,
curves and control, he lacked effective
ness in watching his bases and in field
ing his position, and wlthal seemed ex-
tremely nervous. He will doubtless
overcome this in TIME with proper
coaching from Manager Mace. The
management realizes The immediate i'm
portance of securing another good
pitcher and catcher and are making
every effort to land them.
MathewsOn's playing at third, and
Lawson's at short were the features for
Wilmington, while Child's pitching for
Raleigh was most effective.
Either Sweeney or Dunn will pitch for
Wilmington this afternoon-
THE SCORE BY INNINGS.
R. H. E.
Raleigh -. % 30021OO1- 9 2
Wilmington Il 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 IL L 2
Batteries: ChIlds and Smith; Krause
and Fisher and MatheWsOn.
THE TABULATED SCORE.