Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
SIX CLUBS IN LEAGUE
DEPARTMENT BALL PLAYERS
TALK OF THE COMING SEASON.

The moving spirits Of the Departmental
Base Ball League are now beginning to
prepare for preliminary actions regarding
the season Of 1907.
The success that has attended this pop-
ular organization has overstepped the an
ticipations of the most optimistic, and the
clerks of Uncle Samuel have become q
factor in local amateur base ball. When
Chief Clerk Alvord Of the Congressional
Library conceived the idea Of the league
and began to undertake steps for Its in
auguration, he saw ahead of him merely
a source of relaxation and good feeling
among the clerks. He argued that 1t would
bring the men In the service closer to-
gether. would make their connections pleas
anter, and generally render the life Of the
young government clerk something beside
tedious, monotonous grind.
This object has been thoroughly fulfilled
and more. The games have become a
source of pleasure, amusement and relaxa-
ton not only to the clerks, but to the
thousands who followed the fortunes of
the teams last summer. The success of the
league was due principally to the fact that
the management was intrusted to the chief
clerks Of the different departments, who
used in the management of the base ball
teams the same judgment they employ in
he managing Of great department.
When the clerks organized two years ago,
gress. Treasury, War, Navy, Post Office,
Interior, Justice. Agriculture and Commerce
and Labor. Last year the Library, which
had been the prime mover to produce the
league. dropped out, and the eight-team
organization played out the schedule.
Agriculture came out on top both seasons,
and made the clerk contingent proud when
it romped off with the amateur champion
ship of the District in the post-season
contest with other local pennant winners
last fall.
This year the schedule will be made up
on a basis of six clubs, as 1t is pretty
well understood that Interior and Justice
will drop out because of lack of interest
on the part of the clerks. There are pen-
ty of promising players In both these de-
partments, but as team they had contin-
ual difficulty in keeping together and get
ting a full team and a regular one on the
field for every game. 1t Is likely that
the board of directors will sanction some
scheme whereby the other clubs may draft
the services, of the stars of these outfits,
provided. of course, they want to play, for
1t is pretty well known that such men
as Doc Kleinschmidt,. Doc Burbank, Collie
and Red Waller Eddie Barnhardt and
Erwin will not be left out, and 1t Is a
sure sign that they all will want to play
There have been all sorts of rumors that
a semi-professonal league would develop
from the Departmental, and that while the
Nationals were out of town they would
play out at the park and charge admission.
The revenue thus gained would be distrib-
uted equally among the clubS, and would
eventually result In the formation of an
out-and-out professional league. The prn-
cipal officers of the Departmental League
are fighting this move tooth and nail, and
are determined to keep anything of the
sort out of the league. 1t can be stated
on authority that the movement will, If
started, be kept apart and away from the
Departmental League. This does not mean
that semi-professional league will not be
organized. but that the Departmental
League will continue to serve its present
purpose, the fostering of clean amateur
sport among the government employees.
Those interested in the advancement OF
the standard of the playing are hoping
that Col. Charles s. Cromwell, in charge
Of public buildings and grounds, will allow
the infields of the diamond to be stripped
of their irregular turf. Last year the
| field inside the bases was rough and un.
even, and the infielders frequently
relied o nthe proverbial lucky bound.
1t is generally thought that he will not OBJ
| ject as 1t will probably be the last wear
| of the clerks on the ellipse. as in 1908 the
grounds will be removed to the public
Fairgrounds in Potomac Park.
The question Of the officers of the league
| for the coming season Is one open for de-
bate and question. 1t Is more than likely
that II Chief Clerk Merritt o. Chance OF
| the Post Office Department will accept the
office OF president again, his reelection
will be unopposed But 1t Is probable that
Mr.. Chance will not care to take up the
| responsibility again this year. His season