Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27
SEASON OF
SUCCESS PREDICTED
Games of the Departmental
Base Ball League Deserving
OF High Commentator.

II the first two weeks of play can be
taken as criterion the Departmental
League season of 1906 Will I've even more
successful than that Of last year When
play closes In August. II the present stand
ard is maintained. Il Is claimed by the fol-
lowers that this organization viii lead the
amateur leagues of the city. On the White
Lot ellipse are the most spacious we'll
kept and best policed ball grounds used BY
any amateur organization. There IS prob
ably not ball park in the country that
Will compare with the circle south of the
Presidents mansion. where the diamonds
are so clearly defined and with such an ex-
quiste emerald setting.
great Improvement has been made in
handling the crowds which attend the
games over the method which was preva-
lent last season. There is a better and
more satisfactory roping off of the space
allotted to spectators. and. as conse-
quence. there has been no Interference with
the work of the players. II there Is any
complaint to be made II Is the tendency
on the part of some spectators TO get too
close to the outfielders. BY such actions
the player Is distracted from the work as
signed him and 1t is likely that he will misc
chances which he would otherwise have no
difficulty In getting. There is no Intention
manifested by these crowds to favor one
team at the expense of the others. but the
spectators seem possessed with an idea
that they must get close possible To
the outfiefd in order that they may see all
that Is going on. OF course. 1t is impossible
to fix exact limit beyond which the spec
tators should not encroach, for no one can
predict with certainty just where bali viii
be hit
With view to fair play for all concerned
IN hot
hampered It might serve the purpose adj
mirably II one of the park policemen be
directed to warn spectators to remain at
least fifty feet from the outhelders II is
only thin fringe of spectators that en-
croaches upon this part of the field and one
man could handle them efficiently and sat
StactOrlly. There has been no disposition
manifested by the spectators to be obsrreu-
erous or unruly. but in their anxiety and
eagerness TO witness play they are some
times likely to overlook the fact that the
outiield must have a pretty wide range At
would not be feasible to rope off the OUT
field. for that would be more OF an obstacle
than the crowd, which generally scatters
when the ball comes sailing In their dlreo-
ton. Their proximity however, has a TEN
dency to disconcert the fielder and make
him timid about going after balls knocked
IN his territory This plea will appeal to all
minded people for the character Of the
crowd attracted by these contests Is such
that they are not only anxious but willing
to give both sides a fair show. Probably
the most rsbid partisans are those who
congregate behind the ropes which ara
stretched along first and third base lines
where tho arrangements admirable.
Officers of the league are entitled to
credit for the efficient method which they
have adopted for taking care of spectators
and players along these two lines There
Is no instance recorded where there has
been any ATTEMPT to get through the ropes
and obstruct the catcher or hasemen, bur
all seem imbued with the spirit of an after
noon of unalloyed enjoyment without any
semblance whatever of disorder or disre-
gard of the rights of each other.
-.
A marked feature of these contests has
been the large number of ladies in attend
ance for hitherto the games OF the De-
partmental League had savored strongly
of stag parties. Now. however. there is a
disposition on the part of the fair SEX par
tfcularly those who employed In the
various departments, to cheer and encour-
age by their presence the representatives
of the various branches of the public sery-
ice. An ample force of policemen has been
provided. but there has been no disorder
and the big White Lot ellipse has become
a resort for ladies and gentlemen.
Thus far promptness in putting In appear
ance has characterized the different teams,
time and played out without being Inter-
rupted by darkness. For this credit must
aso be given to the officers Of the league
who have insisted that there shall be no.
such delays those which marred soma
of the games last season. Strict compll-
ance with the schedule has had a great
deal to do with the popularity which has
attended the efforts of the league thus far,
nd ii Is confidently believed and expected
that this desirable condition OF affairs will
rfa,lft lima thrfsl hnt fn1. MIA linz
Owing to the class of men selected for
umpires there has been little. If any.
wrangling on the ball field. but the deci-
sions cheerfully acouiesced In by play
ers and spectators, which is another at
tractive feature and which all lovers OF
sport hope to see continued. From this IL
as near perfect as can be and the outlook
is most gratifying to all concerned.
The weaker clubs have become stronger
by avalling themselves of the services OF
players in different branches of the same
department. Consequently the different
teams are pretty evenly balanced and there
is no cocksureness about who is destined to
fly the championship pennant. It Is a
close race now, but it is impossible to pre-.
diet this early in the season what will be
the outcome. Agriculture and Post Ofice
are nip and tuck. with Justice close up. and
only a few games separate the first teams
from the last. Most OF the pitching corps
Is in good shape and II is a toss up to de-
eide which team has the best felders. There
has been noticeable Improvement In bat
ting, and heavy stick work has character
lied most of the games thus far played.
Phis Is shown by the large scores which
have marked the games already played and
demonstrates that the boys have their eyes
on the ball and are hitting 1t for keeps.
Altogether there has never been a sea-
in nata a here na.1
more auspiciously and promised more u-
teresting and satisfactory results than the
one inaugurated two weeks ago on tho.
White Lot.