Evening star., 1909-09-12
CO[ORED PRINTERS
CAPTURE PENNANT
Win Out by a Good Margin
in Departmental
League.
Standing Of Clubs.

The Colored Departmental Base Ball
League was organized by Paris H.
Pollard April %. 1909. for the purpose OF
furthering the national game among the
employees of the departments. Mr.. Pollard
saw the nece csity for the league about
two years ago, at which time he tried to
get others interested in project having
for its object the formation of a league.
This attempt was unsuccessful, and it
was impossible at that time to even or
ganize team. Taking up the plans again
this year. however. Mr.. Pollard organized
the War and Navy team, and with this
beginning thorough canvass wat made
in each department to secure players for
teams representing all the departments.
April 90 the representatives of the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing, the Govern
ment Printing Office, Municipal Interior
and War and Navy held m1seing. at
which officers Of the league were elected
and the Colored Departmental League
was launched
Since that time three clubs have been
added to the league, Post Oficez Navy
Yard and Agriculture, making eigh. teams
in the league.
This is the first time that such q. league
lumba among the employees of the vari-
GUS departments, and. as shown by the
record of the summers s work, 1t was u
great success. Games were played every
day, with double-headers Saturdays.
Throughout the entire season there has
not been a single case of disorder. nor
has there been a case of interference.
The penalties imposed during the season
consisted of but four men ordered out of
the game by the umpire and about half
nraGidanf
Considering the obstacles encountered
and the difficulty of handling SO many in
competent players, President Pollard $
success is nothing short of marvellous.
ner in which the players were whipped
into shape, said that 'some Of the mem
bers of the league didn't even read the
rule book and made some OF the most
ridiculous objections Imaginable, but the
actions of the president were always gov
only read the rules before the opening OF
the next season and digest themselves
thoroughly. not only will the work of the
players themselves be improved. but the
work of the umpire will also be more
pleasant.
The league secured Mr.. Harley as um-
pire FOR the season, and his work brought
forth the appreciation of both players and
spectators.
Although President Pollard admits that
his position Is a thankless one, he says
that he rather enjoys being at the head
Of the league, as there seemed to be no one
willing to shoulder the task. Mr.. Pollard
stepped into the breach with the avoWed
object of forcing and encouraging the
members of his race to make for them
selves an envahle reputation and to or
ganize league second to none for gentle
manly attributes and fair-minded sports
manship. Although the work has been
hard and the many poblems presented diff
ficult Of solution, the result has been a
gratifying one and the head of the league
predicts that next year an appreciable
change will be found in colored amateur
circles. and me sincerely believes that
within a couple of years Washington can
boast OF good base ball and be supported
by the public Of the District OF Columbia.