The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-19
And Won the Game by Score
of II to 2.
SLAPNICKA'S PITCHING
Blond Twirler Allowed But
Four Measly Ones.
Beltz Was Wild and Presented
a ShutOut.


hilated in the Sunday baseball matinee
at the local ballyard. Twenty hits, nine
of them for extra bases. sent the To-
peka athletes across the plate so fast
that it was almost impossible for the
scorekeepers to keep an accurate ac-
count. And the Joplin players narrow
" missed a shutout. three walks in
succession and a wild throw, in the
final inning letting two runs across.
And all this happened in the space of
six and one-half innings. What the re-
suit might have been at the end of a
regulation game battles arithmetical
calculation.
The day started out to be a pleasant
one, and before the gong sounded for
practice the players were sitting on
the benches sweltering in the sultry
heat. AS soon as the gong sounded
the practice for the two teams, the
wind came up and dust blew in every
direction. 1t grew from bad to worse
and by the time the game was over
fans and fanettes who had come in the
garb of summer were signing for their
domestic fireplaces and an overcoat.
The game might have been played an
indefinite length OF time. but when Jop-
lin had finished in the seventh inning,
all including both players and fans
NNVlC ANduJ W away " luC Oh CCl
cars.
Topeka won by timely hitting and
terrific batting. Joplin lost by the in
effectiveness of the twirlers and a num-
Der of errors interposed at psychology
cal moments.
Doc Pollard. who at one time babe
fair to become native idol, but who
later was sent to Joplin, was the first
victim. Pollard is considered Joplin's
best pitcher, but after pleading guilty
10 a he took a session of
five innings on the local slab. In this
time 16 hits were registered. The To-
Gals had but one more inning to bat,
and Reckenbaugh was sent in to be-
come the victim of this round. Four
hits, includin0 a double and a triple
retted the locals five runs. and he Jared
little better. In fact he did not get as
good a start as Pollard did. and it
would be painful to him if he were to
reflect the damage that might have been
done to his delivery had he remained
longer on the sla'.
In the meantime Slapnicka was twirl-
ing gilt edged ball for the locals. He
allowed but four hits in six innings and
not a score. Once with only one out
and the bases loaded he retired the
side without a run.
Beltz pitched the last inning, but was
exceedingly wild. The frs: three men
up walked. Kern made a low throw to
third and one an scored. Another run
was secured on an infield out. The side
was retired by Beltz tanning two men.
BY this time he seemed to be able to
heave the ball over the plate.
Topeka started business early. Long
reached two bases while Misse was
muffing his fly, and went to third on
Geier's grounder to first. Cooley scored
him with a double. One run.
In the second. Cullen started when
Nlsse muffed his fly, and made second.
Cullen went to third when Olson hit
ore to short McManus hit into field
er's choice and Cullen was nipped at
the plate. Slapnicka singled, putting
second runner on the bases. Long
cleaned up with a triple and scored a
moment later when Cooley doubled for
the second time. Three runs.
In the third Kahl walked and scored
on successive singles by Olson and Nc
Nfanus. One run.
In only one inning did the locals fail
TO score. This was the fourth. In the
fifth, however, the lost time was expi-
ated. Kahi started with single. Gull
len whitfield. Olson hit one to right cen
ter, scoring Kahl. The hit was easily
a two sacker but the little Swede was
put out trying to reach third. Kern,
SIapnicka and Long singled in success
sion and Geier followed with a triple
Cooley doubled but was caught at third
trying TO stretch the hit. Five runs.
The next inning found Beckenbaugh
in the box. wooley hit one at Misse
which the latter allowed to go through
his launches. Kahl flew out but Gull
len singled. Olson hit a sure enough
triple this time and Kern got his sec
ond single. Beltz was an easy out at
first, and Long drew four wide ones.
Geier doubled. Cooley tried his best to
get out and finally hit popup to Mise.
Five runs.
At the end of the first half of the
seventh. Danberry announced that the
game was called on account of dark
ness. There were a few of the 600
fans left at this time.
The score;
Topeka