Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20
CHURCH LEAGUE GAMES
PROTESTS MADE TO DISTRICT
COMMISSIONERS.
Objections Not Sustained by the
Authorities-Reports by Major
Sylvester and Others.

The amateur base ball games of the
Church League, which have furnished
many afternoons of enjoyable sport to
deeply interested spectators on the big lot
between Columbia road. kenesaw avenue,
18th and 18th streets northwest. have called
forth protest to the Commissioners from
a number of residents in the square adjon-
ing the ball ground. The petition has been
considered by the Commissioners and the
police department, and it has been decided
that no arrests can be made unless the ball
Is knocked into the public streets. Com
missioner West has called attention to the
fact that foul balls are often knocked into
the street from the professional games at
American League Park, and declares that
IL the amateurs to be arrested and
fined the police must also arrest the pro-
fessional players.
In connection with the petition presented
to the Commissioners protesting against
the amateur ball games Columbia
Heights. Kennedy 4 Davis. builders, wrote
that d knocked bali had broken the transom
and cellar windows OF 1224 Columbia road.
II. b. Wilson declared a ball crashed
through large plate glass window In the
front bay of No lbs Columbia road and
that the same performance was repeated a
few DAYS later. when the ball destroyed the
transom of 1874 on the same street. 1T
seems. says John Nj. Henderson in a let
ter to the Commissioners. shat serious
mistake has been made to have permitted
the playing OF games there at all in view or
the size OF the grounds. which are entirely
too small. and the crowds that gather,
which are noisy and menace to the peace
of the neghborhood." He states it Is i'm
possible to keep batted balls within the
confines of the grounds.
Referred to Lieut.. Kenney.
The matter was referred to Lieut.. Ken
hey OF the tenth police precinct. who has
reported that an ele ment Of daI ger exists,
but that outside OF the arrest OF the party
responsible for the ball crossing public
space. The police department has
thority to interfere with the game IL dis
order is not present. The play have gone
10 considerable expense in fitting up the
grounds for the accommodation of their
friends and have every evening a large
attendance of the best people OF Columbia
Heights and Mount Pleasant Mr.. ID. I.
Wolhaupter. the president of the associa-
tion. has pledged the word of the associa-
ton to repair all damages done The as
s:stant corporation counsel was consulted.
and stated that the home plate is too near
the street and fouls send the leather
sphere across Columbia road to the houses
on the opposite side The authority of
the police department ends the assistant
corporation counsel says. with the arrest
OF the batsman responsible for the pro-
puisiuu of thu ball into the street. AS to
the occupancy of the grounds for ball play
ing the police department has no authority
10 prevent il.
In forwarding these reports to the Com
mssioners Maj Sylvester the chief of po-
lice. states: The police are authorized to
arrest il the ball is knocked or thrown into
the street. or IL there Is disorder on the
grounds. The p: operty Icing private, its
for these purposes cannot be questioned
by the police. l appreciate the fact that
the residents along the street where the
ball has done damage entitled to pro-
lection, and shall have officer present
with instructions to make arrests IL the
law is violated. OF course. more or less
danger attends the batting of the ball into
the street, so far as persons are concerned.
which is a matter to be taken into consid-
Grafton. and would leave room for arrest
and prosecution"
Mr.. West Takes Broad View.
Commissioner West. in forwarding the
papers to his colleagues. takes a broad
view OF the situation and says:
The statement by the major of police
that the police are authorized to arrest II
the ball is knocked or thrown into the
street Is one that thus being brought to my
attention cannot be passed by unnoticed.
The law is being violated every day that
the base ball game Is held at the American
League grounds. for numbers OF foul balls
are Knocked into the streets by the batters
at 18th street and Columbia road. AS there
must not be any discrimination II ia the
duty OF the major and superintendent or
police. IL the amateur players are to b.s ar
rested. to arrest the professional PLAYERS
for the same offense."
According to the present status of affairs
the games will continue