New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-12
RIOT AT POLO GROUNDS.
CROWD SURGES ON FIELD.
Baseball Game Ends in SnO5cbaH
and Cushion Fight.

With an inning still to play. the baseball game
at the Polo Grounds yesterday between New
York and Philadelphia broke up with a scene OF
the widest disorder. 1t was the first game Of
the season. and there were no policemen on the
field. as Commissioner Bingham took the same
action as he did at the bicycle races in Madison
Square Garden last winter. when he refused to
allow uniformed policemen to attend
For time it looked as if there would be a
serious accident. but the crowd. although bois-
ferrous, was good natured. Except for the dam
age done to cushions and benches, there was lit
tie harm done That nothing serious happened.
however, was little short of miracle.
The game was uninteresting, and when the
riot started it looked as if there was no chance
for the home team to win, as the score stood 3
10 O against them. During the seventh inning
many persons started to leave the grounds
There were about twenty thousand persons
present Usually the crowd files out through
the exits, and no one attempts to go on the field
until after the game is over. But yesterday
afternoon the crowd, apparently realizing that
there would be no police interference. rushed
out on the diamond while the game was going
on. The players were lost to sight and the
trouble began.
Some one In the grandstand scaled out a
cushion In a moment the air was full of them
III u
women had their hats knocked Off, and the mob
laughed. hooted and jeered. Several ground
employees were sent out 10 corral the cushions.
but they were tossed about like chips a
rough sea and forced 10 run to shelter. In a
short time the field was strewn with excelsior
and that was all that there was left Of a
couple Of hundred cushions.
II is a rare sight To a SNOWFALL fight on a
baseball field, but that the next thing on
the programme. Somebody found a snowoank
in the rear Of the grandstand. In a minute there
was a battle royal Boys and men in the grand
stand rushed down and came back with their
arms full of snowbaIIs. Those on the field
stacked their ammunition near the players
bench and the fight began. Many nOn-com-
batant. but interested onlooker. received an un-
expected lump Of snow in the face or behind the
ear. The fight didn't end until the supply OF
snow ave out There many a spoiled nat
and collar after the fun ended
Finally four policemen marched up the centre
of the field They appeared as uncOncerned as
If they were marching up Broadway. The crowd
hooted. yelled and scaled ScoreCards ana
anything else at hand at the "bluecOats 1W0
hovs finally were singled out and hurried toward
the patrol wagon. They We're taken 70 the West
l52d street station. where they gave their names
as Joseph Biggs Of No. 2O3 West 14id street.
and William Miller. of No. 29SA North Fifth
street Newark. n. ]. They were locked up on
the charge OF disordeTly conduct.
The crowd finally grew tired of trying 10 ma
amusement and filed out of the grounds Jhe
mob scene faded away quickly as il began
II is expected that some system of police pro-
lection will have been installed at The Polo
Grounds by this afternoon. when another game
is 10 be played.