Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-05-05
JUDGMENTS

VYT oRsE weather conditions for base
M ball could not BE- imagined than
w those prevailing since the Opening
Of the Western league season In April
Not a pleasant day has been experienced
and the games have been played under
such circumstances as discourage players
and patrons alike. The magnatss are in
nowise responsible for the queer freaks OF
the climate. but this does not help them
IN their predicament. Base ball is essen
TALLY a game for hot weather, and, played
IN the cold OF backward spring, II has
dOubly depressing eject Only the most
enthusiastic of It's patrons care to risk bad
colds and possible pneumonia by exposing
themselves TO the rigor OF the weather
during the game, while ths players suffer
even more seriously. IT Il impossible that
q bail player should exert himself aa the
game requires and not feel the evil effects
Of II. This was shown Thursday afternoon,
when the first basenan OF the Pueblo team
made four errors, as many as some win
make In a season This was due directly to
the fact that the wind had chilled him
through and through and he could not play
the game as ne Is capable Of doing In
better weather. Others In the game suf-
fered from the cold in the same way and
Il was marred as a contest Of skilled
athletes as a result. Muscles refuse to
work under such conditions. and that Il
eli that can be said. When the warm sun
shines forth the players. old and young,
will b benefited and base ball will be
come base ball. No doubt as to the in
terest exists and the losses Of the OPEN
ing days Of the season ought to be made
up to the managers.
This thought brings attention TO smother
phase of the base ball situation. Omaha
Is not unique IN having strong con-
tingent OF home roasters" Thsse In
dividuals seem TO feel It incumbept on
them to soon at the home team under al
conditions and TO never lose an oppor-
tunity 70, sneer at the players. Just now
a detachment OF these deleotable indi-
eiduals Is engaged In the pursuit o.
omaha,s third baseman and left fielder,
subjecting them to all manner Of personsl
criticism and abuse, and for reasons
known only TO the home rooster" It
would be asking too much to demand that
bail PLAYERS be exempted at ell times from
criticism. They deserve It at times and
as 6 rule they get all that lie coming TO
them along the line OF adverse or critical
comment. But. playing as the Omaha and
other teams have been during the last
three weeks. they should be given full
credit for what they do. and II they fall
short OF midseason mark Il should be
considered they are doing very well and
condemnation withheld until more favor
able circumstances give them an oppor-
tunity to show their htness. Another thing
must be remembered. A base bah team
T. an amusement enterprise, brought to-
gether to affeFd large section OF the
American public lie opportunity to engage
IN what is generally admitted 20 be the
finest outdoor game ever devised. It's own
ers are primarily in the business 10 make
money and to do this they realize they
must have the public support This can
only be obtained by providing players who
are worthy OF support. Thus 1t may well
be left to the owner and manager OF the
team to see TO II that the best possible
players are engaged in the game. one Of
the pecuiiarities of the game is the ad-
vertisement II gives q town to have a
strong team IN a good league. IN ORDER
that the benefit Of this publicity may De
T Hhd. the team must have the patriotic
support OF the town In which At 70 located
nnse bah differs in this regard from all
other forms Of sport The owner Of the
team will do the best he can to get good
players and win gamsss the public must
support him In this undertaking or base
bail dies And IN no place does the home
rooster serve any good purpose.
Lawn tennis has NOT suffered greatly
from professionalism AZ yet. but the de-
termination OF the uRlted states Lawn
Tennis association 70 prevent its becoming
tainted IS a resolve well taken. 1t Is not
a game that appeals strongly to the pro-
fessionaI ana yet II has some aspects
that snord the opportunity for practice
at least verging upon that which removes
player from the ranks Of pure amateurs.
The cup hunter has been feature of
the game of recent years. and In measure
has destroyed the usefulness OF the smaller
tourneys The presence OF expert players
u always an advantage az the Journeys
IN the smaller communities, as the ex-
perlenee the local players gain from see
ing a higher grade of tennis than they are
acenstomed to Is Of lnestlmable value.
But, first OF all, the ethics OF tho game
must be preserved, and this can only be
done by abolition Of cup hunting" In
the case OF the larger meets, such as the
Mid-Wesi the cup hunter Is at a distinct
disadvantage. for. ne there encounters mer
who are his masters. and the game Is thus
smaller Journeys that will be protected by
the EFFORT to keep the purity Of its follow
ere above reproaeh,
Jay Goulds victory in the court tennil
matches IN England will be all the mor'
Eefshed on this side when we think Of thu
actual discourtesy he met last scasor
from the-.-champion. His persistence hal
landed him victor, and his behavior hn'
won fog him even more than his skill ant
endurance as z player. II Is some Ats
faction. too. that his triumph Is almost a
popular IN England as in America.
The race IN the Western league 90 "a
has demonstrated the accuracy Of the pre-
season prophecy OF evenly matched teams
Any three days may send a team from
bottom to top. OF vice versa II VIII b
a pretty race II Old Probs will ever let IN,
boys get under Roadway
Black bass and erappies have something
20 thank the weather. man for. too. bu
their day OF grace Is nearly over. SNOW
and sleet can not prevail much longer Z
protect them from the fishermen. who ar
more than eager for try at the waters