The Washington herald., 1910-08-07


sons in its history. and although the
Ninth team secured lead at the
start. the Christians have been close
pressed by Hamline, under the leader
ship OF the indomitable Patty" Holmes.
who yet vows that his boys will get
Ninths goat. This animal Is hard to
catch, although Il has been browsing
dangerously near the Hamline territory
on several occasions.
The game that will in all probability
decide the championship is scheduled 20
be played next Wednesday. when Ninth
and Hamline clash in their final battle.
Should Hamline win they will tie things
up, but should Ninth win they will only
have to win one more game TO give them
the pennaht
Much discussion has arisen as to the
relative strength of the teams. and the
different players, so that the writer has
selected an an-star nine which he thinks
is the best possible club that could repre-
sent the Sunday School League on the
diamond. In picking the team the bat
ting and fielding strength Of the different
players was given careful consideration,
together with their base-running abb
ity headwork, and general all-around
playing.
While the Sunday School League ranks
as one Of the fastest and most evenly
balanced baseball organizations in the
city the church circuit IS considerably
weaker in pitching than their rival
leagues. Litchheld, whose excellent
twirling won the flag for Bethany last
season, after one Of the hardest fights in
the history Of the Sunday School cir
cult, has not been himself this year. and
has been deposed as premier box artist.
Birch. of Hamline, succeeding the blond
pitcher.
How Birch Made Good.
The story Of Birchs success this sum-
mer is an interesting one. When he
first joined the team in the spring he
did not round into form Immediately and
for this reason he warmed the bench
during most Of the games AS Hamline
slowly cut down Ninth's lead and forged
toward the front as the most worthy
rival OF the Christians. Manager Holmes
found that he needed I'll Of his pitchers
to keep his team Up Ia the race. Birch
was called on 10 10 his share OF the
work. The results ne attained when he
once struck his stride immensely pleased
the manager and amazed the spectators
In the six whole games he has pitched
Birch has come away with the long
end Of the score in every instance, and il
is needless TO say that his excellent pitch
ing has been a big boost 10 Holmes out
fit
Judged on his merits at twirler. Birch
can easily hold his own with the best
in the city. having a world Of speed and
a puzzling assortment of curves. But
Birch is not without rivals. Symanoskie
and Carol, OF Ninth. and Gordon. of
Hamline, have done good work for their
respective teams. Bartlett, of Anacostia,
started of In the spring like a house on
fire, but too much work during the cold
weather put his arm out Of commission,
and he was forced to quit before the
season had far advanced.
c. Broome. Of Ninth. is the best catcher
in the league. He knows the game. and
plays it; is a good thrower 10 the bases.
and is a dangerous man at the bat. ~
though one Of his fingers was broken by
a foul tip last year, he came right back
and has been catching better ball than
he ever did before. Phipps. of Anacostia.
ranks second in the receiving department.
His batting record is not quite as good
as that Of Broome, and he is weaker in
throwing to the bases.
Riddle Shines Mt First.
Pierce Riddle, the clever first baseman
Of the Peck team. has Il on all his other
rivals in both fielding and batting. His
work with the willow has improved won
derfuliy over that of last season, and as
a fielder he is in class hv himself.
Quantrelle. of Ninth. is his nearest rival.
strothers. Of Sixth, is such weak batter
that he cannot be considered, although
his fielding is good.
AS a second baseman. the writer has
selected. Milton BrOOme, brother Of Char
ley Broome, on account of his good
record in both batting and fielding. He
has only made one error, while his near
est rival has made five miscues. In bat
ting he stands .275; Stuekert, of Hamline.
.SZ5; Mcdonald. of Sixth, 2sl, and Harry
Pennington. Of Anacostia, no
Ray Sheaffer. Of Hamline. is picked for
third base. His fielding Is the equal of
that Of his two nearest rivals. Hands. of
Ninth. and Donnelly. of Peck. while with
the bat he outclasses them both.
Drummer. who succeeded Jack Spauld-
ing at short for Hamline, is believed to
be the best selection for that position.
Tommy" Harris. Of Ninth. is an excel
lent fielder and tbrower to first base. but
he is weak with the bat Buehler is do
ing good work for Ninth, he having sue
ceedsd Harris at that position. FairalI.
of Anacostia, is a consistent player.
Heavy Bntters In OutheId.
In selecting an outheld. batting is given
much consideration. and for that reason
several felders who are the equal of
their rivals in fielding are so far below
them In batting that they cannot be con-
sidered seriously. On first thought many
would probably select tie entire Ninth |
outfield as being the best trio Of felders
in the league, and they would miss it
very little. Billy" Marceron is selected !
for left field. He is a good fielder and