The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-25
NJ T.. j. GRIFFITH.

. DY e. j. GRIFFITH.
Catching the toboggan the first oil
last week, the Lawmakers took long
slide. and now hold second place in the
standing OF the clubs, while Danvillc
liz in the lead. The week was black
one for the local artists. as they lost
four out OF five games played, dropping
all three OF the contests on home
grounds.
Ever since Lynchburg broke Rich
mond's remarkable winning streak sew
eral weeks back, the declina OF the
locals has been steady. The best
players at the opening Of the season
are showing a reversal OF form.
However, Lynchburg. which was
Richmond's most dangerous rival at
the outset Is suffering from worse
slump than our team. What is theI
cause OF this7 Have these two teams
really refrigerated or Is the situation
due to the fact that Dan'iile, Nor
folk and Portsmouth are handing out
n better article than has yet been
played in the league? I am inclined
to form the latter assumption, as Rich
mond played good ball here last week,
but Danvlle played better, winning by
pure merit all three games.
heretofore Richmond has been vic
torious by superior stick work, fleld-
ing honors being about even In most
OF the games they have played. Lately
Titman has been the only CONSTANT
batter: and nobody ever made worse
showing than he did at the opening OF
the season The better form the OPP
poslng pitchers have gotten INTO. the
better Titman seems TO like II, whi!e
his mates. with one or two exceptions,
have lost their cunning.
In this department the LaWnaRers
have got to brace up. or they VIII soon
be contending with the HUI climbers
for the last place on the hs.. Il e,,ey
cannot solve the delivery OF opposing
nItchers as they formerly did. some
changes will necessarily be made IN
the team personnel.
Manager Lipe is after an Atlant.aa
catcher, said TO be a heavy batter. Fei-
hans the addition OF single good man
now will put the squad Into its FORMER
stride. There Is nothing like good
example to set whole team risht. "
course. gthe best nine Is liable TO slump
badly now and then. The New YORK
Nationals and the Chicago Americans
have done 1t this season; but team
!. that really means to win cannot afford
to be the under dog long, for II 1t does
its IS liable to find itself In rut, out
of which escape Is impossible.
Recent performances show that DAN
WILLIE has got team that ought to
make a strong bid for the pennant this
seasons. Nearly all the players are OF
the seasoned sort and can be relied
upon in pinches. Cool head work under
stress OF circumstances goes long way
in baseball. and OF this quality the
boys have an enviable amount. Stat
ford is a good manager, keeping his
players well In hand and has won the
present standing for his team by hard
consistent work.
The Lawmakers have. gone back tc
Danville for the purpose OF playing the
third consecutive series with the Red
Sox. Under most circums tances nine
games with one team might grow
rather embarrassing. but present condl
lions make 1t anything but that The
next three games will give the Law.
makers an opportunity to take back
from Danville the position that was
wrested from them: and victory should
be all the more sweet for this reason.
The Roanoke players are proving e
be wonderful climbers. In remark
ably short time they have overcome
very unpropitious start. would M
be surprised to see them in third plac,
BY the end Of this week.
. II r < . O. {
The automobile race meet held a
the State Fair Grounds Saturday wa
success in every particular No ca
built purposely for racing was allowed
to contend. but withal some good TIM
was made by machines built for dali,
service, The interest shown by tn
public In the meet argues we'll for tn
horseless vehicle in Richmond.
The next thing on the program o
the Richmond Automobile Club is ;
road race to be held early next fal
outside of the city, AS previously as
serted In these columns there is n
reason why such a race could not b
held on big scale with success.
From the encoura cement Saturday tn
club wills7doubtless set about maxim
arrangements for such a contest in
short time.
The Virginia State Fair to be he'll
here October 9th to 10th, inclusive,
the next big horse event for Richmon,
1t is considerable distance in TIL
future, but already horsemen are look
Ing forward with interest, The fai
Is In the Virginia Carolina racing cir
cult and hatterins inducements wi
be offered to secure the very best elias
Of racers
The board Of directors for the fal
here will meet shortly to make earl
arrangements, and 1t has been ar
nounced by parties concerned that til
event will be by far the largest an
most attractive yet held.
t7l54tffs jNa.la3q -----------
WADDELL WANTS TO RETURN.
,P1cads With Mack to Take Him Back