New-York tribune., 1909-04-20
PRESIDENT AT GAME
SEES WASHINGTON LOSE.
He and Dir. Sherman Greatly Inter
ested IN Baseball.

Washington, April 19-President Taft went out to
| the baseball game to-day. saw Washington wal
| loped. to 4 by the Boston American Leaguers,
was initiated into the mysteries of the "spball,"
shared fve-cent bag of peanuts with Nice-Pres-
dent Sherman. who sat in the box next to him.
wished hard for Washington to win and said sadly
| that he hoped he wasn't "hoodoo
| No one in Washington could recall to-day just
when ii that President of the United States
last attende ball game in this city With all of
his love for life sports, Mr. Roosevelt
did not go within the ball grounds. President Taft
arrived at the game to-day at the beginning of
the second inning. The game interrupted by
the cheering. which spread in great wave from
the grandstand the furthest corner of the wide
reaching bleachers as the crowd quickly recognized
th President and him greet the Nice-President.
The latter. dyed-n-the-wool fan had gone
directly to the grounds from the Senate chamber.
Mr.. Sherman kept detailed of the game,
supplying the President with such statistical nfor
nation he asked for every and then and
caused some one in the party to remark that if he
ever lost the job of Vice-President he might get
a place Ban Johnsons scoring staff.
The Presidents arrival and the brief interruption
of play had the effect of giving Dolly Gray,
Washington pitching recruit from the minor
leagues, a bad case of stage fright Before the
last Bostonian in the inning two runs had
been scored. While the President still looked on
hopefully in the fourth the Washington players got
ratified they couldn't pick up the ball after stop
ping it, and Boston got away with four more tai
lies 1t was then that the President said he hoped
he wasn't a 'hoodoo.'
President Noyes of the Washington baseball team
who sat with the President in the last four innings
when the locals played much better ball. assured
Mr.. Taft that "hoodoo' not he would always
be welcome. The President disappointed be-
Washington failed to win. but said he en-
joyed the game and hoped TO get out TO the park
frequently. the President is TO live near Bos-
ton in the he glad that Boston was
the team to win, so long as Washington had to
be defeated
There is no screen protection back OF the plate
but the President paid heed to the foul balls,
one of which crashed into the box next 10 him.
-Four close base decisions against Washington in
the fourth inning, when Boston made four runs. set
the crowd in something OF frenzy. Captain Butt
was roofing" hard with the rest OF the Washing
ton crowd
No sir" he said 10 the President they never !
kill tn. umpire till the seventh inning"
The baseball germ has inoculated Congress with !
most tenacious grip Instead of lounging in their
committee rooms during the long recesses of the |!
last two weeks most of the statesmen in Washing /
journey to the ball park. All not fanatics.
but fan" drsgs a number of his colleagues /
with him. Instead rushing for the political news
IN the morning papers. the legislators may be seen
devoUring the sporting section, and in one Of the |
sacred Senate committee rooms a new and /
well tHumbed baseball guide may be seen. There /
have always been baseball fans at the Capitol. /
but this year the fever seems stronger than ever /
before. for there is talk of arranging a baseball
game between the Sendte and the House, giving the
older and more sedate body a handicap of twenty /
dve runs.
Senator Carter, of Montana. is the chief pro-
moter OF the contest and he is aided and abetted /
by Senator Flint OF California. They have not yet
their lineup but the NicePresdent has /
consented 10 play If he IS allowed to pitch This !
is altogether pleasing 10 the man
gers. who have idea that Senator Bob" Taylor,
of Tennessee. who was once the star pitcher Of the
Jackson Blues should twirl for the Senate. Sena-
tor Scott, OF West Virginia. is said TO be certain
candidate for the team, and Senators Crane and .
Owen. whose regulations ball tossers have pre-
cedod them to the Senate, candidates also,
Senator Carter approached Senator Stephenson. /
a stern rebuff Mr.. Stephenson intimated that
baseball was puerile pastime and could only be
&C impaired to prisoners base and croquet He de
manded It be football nothing Il am for
n game where you hit fellow once in while.
he said. In the old days It perfectly good
form to hit a man you did not like. but nowadays
it is not considered entirely conventional would
like to q football game Senator Stephensons
name was Immediately stricken from the list.
Representative Tener, of Pennsylvania. member
Of the old Chicago White Stockings, will probably
manage the House team. He has lot of avail
able material. including representative Payne. who
has hardly missed game this year. and insists
that he Is a heavy hitter if he get somebody to
run for him. The matter is in embryo stage at
present, but 1t is expected that more definite ar
-angenlents will be made in a few days