Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-20

A secret meeting of the District League
| was held Sunday and the affairs Of the
circuit were given a thorough overhaulinC.
/ with the result that the organization will
more than likely last the season out. The
statement was given out yesterday by the
president OF the league that there is no
danger of the circuit going up. as tile IL
nancial difficulties have been Strengthened
in Il great measure and enough money is
forthcoming to finance the association for
the balance of the year
For quite a while it was understood
that the league was in desperate straits
in fact it was stated by one OF the man
ayers In the circuit. who was 4 prime
mover III its formation, that, While ne
hoped for the best. he did not see now
it could last the season out. lie stated
at that time that there was lust ABOUT
enough money in the treasury TO last
another week. and the chances for contih-
uing after that We're mighty poor.
The followers of the circuit ana an
those interested in amateur pan VIZ
be glad 10 learn that the league -
practically out Of danger. ORGANIZED
with the best of prospects ana colhpoS
ed of some of the best amateur teams
in the District, it would certainly pe =
shame for it 10 so under right IN 'ie
1t was understood at the secret
meeting held Sunday that something
definite would be done. and IL has beeh
given out that money enough mas peeh
raised by subscriptions TO guarantee
the finishing of the season III good
style.
The trouble which cropped out yes
terday in the Suburban League IS OF q
variety which should be nipped in the
bud before 1T goes any farther. Row
dyism in amateur ball is something
which should be stopped at the very
outset if the league games are TO De
a success. Amateur ball. as organized
in the District of Columbia. Is not "A
success unless it is clean enough for
the best class of people to attend, and
as soon as that cleanness goes out or
the game, then will the percentage of
success already attained dwindle, There
is no doubt that Il large part OF the
popularity which has been won by the
anna teur base ball commission and by
anna teur ball itself is due TO the fact
that the best class Of people are in
tereSted in the commission, and the
best class attend the games.
Then if base ball is to be a success in
any kind OF a league the umpires must
be protected. Unless the arbiter has SUI
preme command on the field there is
small likelihood of a game ever going
off in good style There is certain
class of players who try TO condone their
own inefficiency by attributing mistakes
to the umpire and by bowling at that in
dividnal whenever an opportunity offers.
1t would not do any harm TO eliminate
that class altogether from amateur ball.
In the case which came to light yes
terday in the Suburban League two or
three players grew abusive toward the
umpire and when they were ordered out
of the game used language toward him
that was unfit to be heard on ball field
There We're also threats made in regard
to his person.
There have been times when players
have kicked strenuously against the de-
cisions Of the umpire, but the case yester
day deserves much more than passing
notice. and will probably be taken up by
the league officials. 1t was stated last
night by one of the officials of the cir
cult that action regarding the matter
would in all probability be taken at
meeting Sunday morning.
If the opinions Of the men connected
with the league 20 for anything it may
be that the league will suspend the play
erS for the rest of the season. Such pun
ishment would not be in any measure too
drastic and would be we'll deserved. and.
Furthermore. would tend 10 cause the
elimination of all such scenes from the
ball field.
In their first game in the Capital City
League the Marines showed up very we'll.
They got away with 1t against one of the
old clubs in the league. the Eastern
Athletic Club, by the score Of to >
The soldiers felded their positions in
good style and managed 10 connect
with the shoots Of Lefty Staub eight
times. Staub has been going Well
lately in the Capital City circuit. and the
fact that he did not prove hard for the
Marines would tend to show that the
team is one of class. If the Seaman
Gunners prove as good as the Marines
there is no doubt that the league Of
flrlalS have made nanny in max
ing the organization a siX-club affair
Southern had an easy time Of 1t yes
terday with the r. & 0. team in the
from that club by one-sided score. -
to ;. Good hitting. errors and passes
contributed to the run getting.
Stealing home from second with the
pitcher standing in his position with the
ball in his hand Is a feat that is seldom
If ever accomplished in base ball and
yet that is just the stunt that was pulled
OFF down in the Departmental League
game between Post Office and Navy yes
terday.
Whether the meeting of the committee
in charge of the amateur investigation
last night developed anything much il
is not possible To state. From the evil
dence produced il is almost certain that
there have been Irregularities in some of
the methods adopted. at least that is the
opinion of those who composed the com
mittee. but whether they were proved
not has not been disclosed The report
which the committee will make to the
commission Saturday night will certainly
be interesting III that il will divulge the
opinions of those who listened TO all that
was said at tho hearing last night Just