The Washington times., 1908-04-20
BASEBALL SEASON
WELL UNDER WAY
Large Attendance Marks
Opening Games in Big
Leagues.
Union League Has Auspi-
cicuS Start-Should
Make Good.

Early signs t1at this would be the
greatest season in the history Of base
ball were made good when the two
major leagues got under way last week
Record crowds turned out. although the
weather was not the best for the sport
There have been disappOintments in
the playing of some of the teams. but
in the main the performances have been
about what might have been expected
The cities in which fandoms fires are
flaming the highest at present are New
York and St. Louis. The two New York
teams and the ST. Louis Americans have
started off with a dash that proves the
value of club sometimes making deals
for new players.
All OF these teams have new men on
them this year, and naturally all are
striving hard to prove their worth 10
their new employers. Whether or not
they can keep up the pace cannot be
told now, but a good start is mighty
important in a baseball battle.
More Start This Weak
This week several more leagues will
get under way, including the Eastern.
the Tri-State, and the Union. The Tri-
State Will open on Wednesday, this be-
ing its second year under protection OF
the big rulers Of the diamond. The Tri-
state has clubs in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, and Delaware
The Union League is new venture
1t is what is known as an outlaw or
ganization: that Is. II is padding its
own canoe. and has gone into several
cities which have clubs in the major
leagues. Among these are Philadelphia
Baltimore, Washington, and Brooklyn
and II will also conflict with minor
F--~- inc
ton. The organizers OF the league be-
Heve that there is room in each Of these
cities for another club, and they pro-
pose 10 develop the field
Outlaw Prospects.
The Union League has started out in
a business-like way, and up 10 date
has made a very favorable impression
II It plays good. clean baseball and
doesn't get mixed up in a row with the
big league through reaching out Tor
star players. its chances for success are
good.
season is different from others, in that
although no team has played more
than FIVE games as yet. every club IN
each league has already won and lost
one o.. more games No club has a per-
feet percentage PittsbuTg and CinCin-
natl were the exceptions until yester-
day. Then the Pirates, even with HOnus
Wagner playing received their tirst
defeat, and the Reds achieved their
first victory.
Closely Fought Games.
or the two leagues. the American has
had the closest and most bitterly-fought
contests, several extra-inning games
having already been played. The most
conspicuous figures to date have been
''Rube" Waddell, of St. Louis. and
Carter. Of the Athletics. Waddell
created wave Of excitement last week
when he shut Chicago out and held the
SOx down 10 one hit.
This is not surprising. though. when
the "Rube's" record with the Athletics
is remembered. He was nearly always
q terror TO the White SoX, and about
the only way they could beat him was
when the Athletics played in Chicago
and the club literally sprinkled the
territory around the pitchers slab. Then
the White SoX would bunt and "Rube'
would be helpless
Waddells performance. though. indi-
Gates that he is not only in splendid
form, but that his left arm has lost
none of its cunning. What q great
time there will be when ST. Louis comes
TO Philadelphia, and IL is announced
that Waddell will pitch. 1t will be a
case Of camping outside Columbia Park
the night before the contest.