The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-02
PSYCHOLOGY OF BASEBALL.
+ : SENATE CAN HARDLY SIT
TNTIL COMMISSION REPORTS.


historic Founders IT. Papa, as Chad-
wick Declares? Not BOth7
Il seems unlikely that the origin Of base
t.p will be officially decided before next
,sll eager though the public be for a de-
,islon. II is a matter that cannot be gone
about in a hurry. Secretary james T. Sulli-
van OF the baseball investigation commits
lion said Yesterday that II would take ell
GUNNER to collect proof. data and infor-
nation such as the commission requires.
>, soon as he has enough Of this and has
,opneI the leading baseball libraries Of
America he will call together the eminent
commissioners namei by A. @. Spalding,
a. follows:
The Hon. Morgan G. Buckley, former
Governor Of Connecticut, now Senator In
Congress from that State, and first presi-
dent OF the National League,
The Hon Arthur Pue German, United
state, Senator from Maryland, famous
amateur baseball player and ex-president
of the old National baseball club Of Wash
ington, d. c.
A. G. Mills Of New York, president and
director Of various corporations, ante
belum ball player and third president
Of the National League.
The Hon Nick Young Of Washington,
D. C.. veteran ball player, first secretary
sndfourth president Of the National League.
Alfred j. kelch Of Philadelphia, oldtime
tall player,
George Wright Of Boston, ditto
Glancing over this INST Of names one sees
that tie matter is not to be treated lightly
,r in haste, Every one OF the commits
fioners Is deeply interested In the problems
that have been laid before them by Mr..
Spalilny.
Tie celebrities named were invited to
act less uan a month ago and although
ccceptances have not been received from
oil. Mr.. sullivan believes that they will
not shirk their manifest duty.
II the ses siOns are begun early in the fall
II Is believed that the work will be over in
time to let Senators Buckley and Gormal
take their seats in the Senate at the open
ing Of Congress. Otherwise, Congress
must suffer. The suggestion that the ses-
sions Of the Senate would be allowed TO
interfere with the workings Of the base
tall commission Is received in baseball
circles with jeers.
Persons not acquainted With tie pur-
pose Of the investigation Eave wondered
why Mr.. Spalding imsef and Henry
Chadwick, the Grand Old Man Of Baseball
are not on the commission, The reason
is though 1t may pain the two veterans
10 name II, tOhL ire COMMISSION lA eA J5NIeQ
10 approach the subject with open minds,
without prejudice Neither Mr.. Spald-
ing nor Mr. Chadwick could be expected
10 serve under the circumstances. They
are welded to their own idols and they
are far az the poles apart.
Mr. Spalding insists that baseball orig
mated from the Colonial game Of one old
cat or at the worst from the New England
and Philadelphia game Of town ball Mr.
Chadwick, who was born in England, Is
Just as positive that baseball is an out
growth Of the English game Of FOUNDERS.
They have growled over the bone OF con-
tention these many years, each challenging
the other TO produce testimony that cannot
he contradicted. Mr.. CbaGwick's ale
cation is that roun ders and baseball have
the same basic principle-the field Use
Of bat, ball and bases,
Mr. Spalding left America in 1874, puta-
lively 20 show the Boston and Philadelphia
baseball clubs in England, but really to
escape from Mr.. Chadwick's arguments.
In England he used 20 hear the spectators
say: why, it's nothing but our old game
Of rounders,' and then he screamed in
vardy. He tried 10 find some one who
had ever played FOUNDERS, but failed. In
1855 he set out on tour Of the world, pre-
ending to manage a team Of champion
halpayers, but really seeking some one
who had ever played FOUNDERS, Not until
March, 1850, did he succeed, and then only
when the All-Amerioans challenged all
u Great Britain 70 come out and play
FOUNDERS or any other old game. Then he
saw FOUNDERS. Middleage men will
recall something OF II when it Ia mentioned
that runner was put out by being soaked
with the ball.
Imagine FOUNDERS uowl Think Of Dan
Mccain soaking Willie keeler between
frst and second Six Coroners and a dozen
gmbulances would be needed at the Polo
Grounds. The Americans beat the life
out Of the Englishmen at FOUNDERS and then
slaughtered them at baseball, making
rs runs with nobody out, The match was
oalled on account Of physical exhaustion.
Mr. Spalding came home to find Mr.
Chadwick still cackling about rounders
4. G. told Henry that he might as we'll
insist that marbles golf ind lacrosse we're
derived from rounders.
i tell you said Mr., Spalding, that
he American game had its origin in old
cat, which began with one old cat, rose TO
four old cats and finally becs me town ball,
when nine players were introduced, Roun-
GERS Is first cousin to drop the handkerchief.
] don't wonder II was hard to find anybody
IN England who would admit that he ever
played It. You and / may not like 10 re-
member that we ever played beanbag or
postoffce'
Thus they kept at il, year after year.
me subject becoming more and more dan
rCus. II is understood that both gentle
men have asked 10 be heard at the sessions
n the baseball investigation commission.
hut that they are likely to be barred out
and perhans not even represented by at
tnrneys, Secretary Sullivan shuddeTs at
the thought Of having them both in the
chamber at once. He fears he would have
70 drop his pen and PITY them apart. Mr..
Snaldlng Is a quarter OF a century younger
inan Mr.. Chadwick. but the word FOUNDERS
almost makes him forget their friendship.
lther Of them could address the com
mission for three weeks on the subject Of
baseball without getting this side Of 1850
30 the commission intends 10 do its
solemn duty without them. From the
Nstcr Library il will have much baseball
,,TTS, including the famous Boys Own
bpok Of Sports, that thick volume with
clored plates which was an authority
,rtv years ago. The British Museum
has been asked to furnish all possible data
On FOUNDERS
SubpDnas will he served on centenarians
twnected Of having played one old cat
curing the war OF 1912. Even now they
sre hunting high and low for one Dickey
Fierce, who worked in Brooklyn sugar
Iennsry until year ago, and who IL sup
posed 70 have valuable information.
'e has been sent out TO learn whether some
~ The PLAYERS on the original Knuker-
rocker Club team are still slive Those
players included Col James Lee, Dr. Ran
SON, Abraham Tucker, Z. R. Dupignac
~, William X. Wheaton and Duncan 2.