The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-08
Pertinent Comment
BY GUS MALBERT.

The dubious victory achieved by the
Colts last Saturday was moro thar
atoned for yesterday. when Otis
Siocksdale. taking his place in the box
for L~ynchburg. administered the usual
portion OF Richmond's famous ball
tossers these days. In view Of the
fact that 1t va tho celebration OF the
iortleth birthday OF the old gray fox,
II may be reasoned that his victory
was coming to him. But the cruelty
OF II all Is that he selected his fortioth
birthday to fall when Richmond was
opposed to tho Hillmen.
Hanks. of whom much has been OK
pected. took his turn, and lasted ex-
actly one and two-thirds innings. Dur
ing that brief period he was touched
for five bingles and was guilty of
other breaches OF box ethics, so that
Manager Cowan took him from thu
centre and allowed Johnny Verbout.
long since named the dependable, to
decorate the centrei Johnny, be IT
quietly narrated. did not do such
a-much. In fact. he did considerably
less. He proved exceedingly popular
with the Lynchburg stickers, and the
"S SNJN0bH ~ " ClIldi
Ing period OF the game was twelve
satet!es. no, all good for one base
alone. The gross total was: Lynch
burg, Is runs, and Richmond. 4.
While Richmond lost. and on the
surface 1t appears that the team lost
because the pitchers were hit hard
let's stop and consider that the team
did not cave this city until yesterday
~ 90 e -
and Western. This means that the
men arrived in Lynchburg at exactly
2:25 P. NJ, II the train was on time-a
ride Of four hours and twenty-five min
utes In the heat OF the day. over a
portion of o a that Is not the pleas
ATTEST In the world. II dinner OF
lunch. whichever name It goes by, was
not had on the train. then 1t was
necessary to grab a quick lunch a;
the hotel. Uniforms had to be changed
and a hurry trip made to the ball park.
II you have followed this closely yoe
Will find that no time IS given the mer
TO rest after the strenuous train ride
and they are called upon to go into a
game fatigued and certainly not in
the best shape TO put up the article OF
ball OF which they are capable.
OF course. leaving at 10 o'clock Mon
day morning saves the cost Of a hotel
or sleeper bill. because II the team
was sent away Sunday morning. for in
stance, which would get X TO Lynch
burg In time for dinner, the manage
ment would have 10 pay for this en-
teTtainment II the men left Sunday
night there would be the cost OF sleep
ers. But staying in Richmond unit
Monday morning. they have to pay
their own board in the home town
However. a waiting bunch OF loyal
fans want the home team to win. ami
these fans know hat TO win the men
must be in the best possible physical
condition. Tired men can't play ball
and men who ride four consecutive
hours and more in n train are usually
tired.
This same condition exists whenevei
the team goes to Danville for a series
Instead of leaving Richmond Sunda,
morning for the city on the Dan. tn,
men must walt until 1l:45 at night
True, a sleeper is provided on tina
trip. but the hours for sleeping ar,
SO short that little good is derived
therefrom. The train gets to Danvill,
about 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning
The players, hungry from sitting VI
all night--tt is next to impossible Il
sleep. and this statement is made ad.
visedly-usually prowl around to ar
all-n!ght ~restauran for something tc
stop the gnaw OF hunger and then SIT
up to wait for breakfast. Then they
attempt TO play a ball game that af-
ternoon.
On the return trip IT is almost
worse. iAe train for Richmond doesn't
leave until the early morning hours
II is thus Il case OF sit up until ii
comes. II gets here early in the
morning. and that afternoon a game 1.
played. But on the return trip 81
cannot be helped. No better connec.
ton can be made Therefore there /.
excuse. But on the trips away from