The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15
POOR BASEBALL WEATHER
RAIN MADE 1T IMPOSSIBLE FOR BOs-
TON TO PLAY YESTERDAY.
Cribbins Internationally Released
Mccarthy Says Indianapolis
Left Field Is a Snap.


city will be very expensive to the Indian
apolis club. The weather has been Sc
miserable that most of the games that
and the players have been greatly handi-
capped in their practice. Manager Wat
kins says there will be little chance OF
making expenses on the preliminary sea-
son unless the weather the latter part OF
the week Is warm and large crowds turn
out TO see the three Cleveland games be-
ginning tomorrow afternoon. Watty has
not begun to worry about his men not
getting into condition for the champion
ship season, but he would like to see pleas
ant weather so that the men can secure
more practice.
1t was out Of the question to play yester-
day and the Boston American League
players loafed around the Grand Hotel.
The ball grounds are soaked with water
and only warm sunshine to-day will
make 1t possible to play this afternoon S
game with Boston. With a good breeze
and plenty of sunshine II may be possible
to play this afternoon. but the Indianapolis
men are only looking forward TO the games
with Cleveland. The Indianapolis pitchers
and, catchers donned their uniforms and
worked out little under the grand stand.
but there was no chance for the other
players to practice.
The Cleveland players also staid indoors
this spring in not being able to get much
practice. The weather was bad at New
Orleans and since they left there rain
has prevented most of their exhibition
games. The players are all anxious for
pleasant weather the last Of this week so
that they can get in the three games with
indianapolis and have the benefit of the
practice. The American League season
opens on the same date as the American
Association-April u.
The game scheduled with Boston Ameri-
cans to-day and the three games with the
Cleveland Americans are the last Of the
exhibition series in Indianapolis this spring.
There is but little chance of play
Indianapolis team will play at
Marion and a special Union Trac-
ton car has been chartered to take the
team and rooters to that city. The car will
accommodate about thirty rooters in ad-
dition/ to the team and a fare of SIPS a
round trip has been secured. Those de-
ager watkins to secure tickets. The regu-
lar Indianapolis team will line up in the
exhibition game against Marion and New
lin, Ford. Williams and Kellum will be
taken along to do the pitching.
Pitcher H. F. Cribbins was given his
unconditional release by Manager Watkins
yesterday. Manager Watkins explained
that he had too many pitchers on hand
to carry Cribbins until the season opened
Cribbins was secured from the Atlanta
club In a trade for Catcher Matthews but
fS 10 haf he xui11 on 70 IN
Madison instead of returning to Atlanta
although he is free to go wherever he
pleases. 1t is said that Cribbins is not in
the best of health.
A great crowd of ball players lounged
around the lobby of the Grand Hotel yester-
day and last evening and the billiard room
was also a desirable place for them. The
great second baseman, Napoleon Lajoie
probably attracted more attention than any
of the other players. John Mccarthy
Cleveland's left fielder. and Harry Bay
center fielder for Cleveland. both old In
dianapolis players, had many callers yester.
day. Mccarthy was in a reminiscent mood
and his mind wandered back to the days
when he played left field for Indianapolis
The left field in Indianapolis was the
1T was an easy field to play, in fact. the
easiest 1 have ever had. The left field
in Cleveland is the hardest In Cleve-
land the sun shines right into my eyes dur
Ing the entire afternoon and II Is only
by knowing all the batters and playing
them that I have been so successful.
have great running mate In Harry Bay
in center. He is fast and can save me
many times when lose ball in the
sum-"
Mccarthy believes that Cleveland has a
great chance for the pennant. He said
Cleveland would have won the pennant
last year but for the fact that the team
was greatly crippled when it played in
Philadelphia because Of the courts ruling
on the players that jumped. After leav-
ing Philadelphia 1t would require a few
days for the team to get down to playing
form again. Mccarthy frankly admits that
if there are any favors to be shown II
will be arranged so that New York Ameri-
cans can finish either first or second In
top. It may be the handicap viii prevent
Cleveland from winning out.
Pete O'Brien, Indianapolis short stop
saw Manager Watkins play his last pro-
fesional game of baseball. In the dress
ing room at Washington Park yesterday the
finish of the old Eastern League season in
1892 was brought up. Watkins was then
managing the Rochester club. He had
never played in game since 1884, but in
the last game of the season at Bingham
ton 'Watty' only had eight men and he
had to go into right field himself He had
six chances and made seven errors. He
muffed six fly balls and after muffing the
last ball he made a wild throw, giving him
another error.
But you sursly did bat some that day,
Watty," chimed in O'Brien. "You made
two hits and they were corkers''
How do you know that?" queried Wat
ty.
Because I was bat boy at the Bingham
ton park then"