Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-07
League Opens OH Friday With
Two Games Called Off on
Account of Rain
oskALoosA AND oTTuMWA PLAY
Heavy Rains and Wet Grounds Prevent
Schedule From Starting at Buring-
ton and keok.k-Postponed Games
Will Be Played Probably Sunday or
Monday.

! and Just at present is the center OF at
| traction for those interested in tho
great national game in Iowa The OPEN
| ing. however, was not without its DIS
appointments, and in at least six towns
of the circuit expressions of regret are
heard on every hand. Two because
| their teams lost. but In the other fo1l
| it was the rain that gave the opening
n back set of at least one day, and
| thus delayed matters for those anxious
to get action on their guesses OF
wagers. In Burlington and keokuk wet
| weather interfered. and altho the event
was to be made red letter day in those
two cities everything was declared of
| until today, or possibly Sunday.
|
| Those who believe in signs will see
| in this an Ill omen. first because all the
teams did not get off with Il running
start. and second because the season
WIS scheduled to open on Friday, which
by some is considered to be a mighty
unlucky day to begin anything. How
ever, the rainy days must be taken with
the fair. and the delay will but that
much more whet the appetite of the
anxious ones waiting for all the teams
to get away. Monday is a blank day
on the calendar for all of the clubs,
and this postponed game can be played
then, ii not on Sunday. During the
entire season there are thirteen empty
dates. which should take care of all Of
the postponed games, unless it should
rain continually.
To those who have followed at all
closely the work of the four teams that
did come together there should not be
any great surprise at the result of the
first clash. Ottumwa, which has all
along been conceded to be strong, put a
crimp In Reynolds and his outfit of
"Coalminers." but not to such serious
extent that the Fargo man should lose
any great amount of hope. The game
but perhaps gives evidence Of run
of luck, and it may be Boone's turn to-
day or Sunday. Fort Dodge, strength
ened by Jones. last year with the Iowa
South Dakota League, and Scarf, of the
Central League, We're able to do things
to the "Quakers.' Tiiey and his gang
seem to have not yet emerged from the
'hoodoo" of the preliminary season,
which may be nothing else than anoth-
er name for ragged playing. Tiley has
the experience and the brains, and if
the coin is forthcoming in Oskaloosa he
should be able to get together bunch
that ought to do business successfully
Despite the fact that the season has
just begun, and that anything said re-
garding the relative winning abilities
Of the several teams is nothing short
of guesswork pure and simple, there is
persistent talk about Just where the
mines will range themselves in the per-
centage column by the time the first
circuit thru the southern half of the
league towns is complete. Unless in
dications point far wrong there is good
reason to believe that Marshalltown,
Waterloo. Burlington and Ottumwa will
occupy the four first positions. Proba-
bly, not In the order named but all will
be better than half way up. Below will
come stringing the others, with Fort
Dodge. Boone, keokuk and Oskaloosa
in some such order as given.
The best thing that could happen to
the league, and it is hoped by every
one interested that 1t will take place.
would be a close fight with ANY old"
team standing show for first place UP
to the middle of August. If anything
"queers'' the league it will be an UNI
equal division of strength among the
clubs. nine which continually loses
will neither draw at home or abroad,
once 1t has gone the rounds so that it
behooves managers and magnates in
terested financially, If indications point
TO the pace being too fast for the local
lunch, to strengthen the weak spots. In
that way only can the patronage be
maintained. which is of vital necessity
II the team and league are to weather
the season thru.