The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-26
ny Gus ,IALRERr.

Hard luck, in the guise of an en-
tireiy unfriendly and unwelcomc rain.
prevented both OF the ball games
scheduled for Richmond yesterday
AS If in irony, the sun began shining
Immediately after the games had been
declared off. ana the several hundreds
Of fans whose ardor could not be
dampcned had started the backward
trail to the city.
Aside from the fact that the fans
were denied the pleasure of seeing a
ball game, the most serious conse-
quence OF tho rainy afternoon Is a
depleted treasury. While practically
every city in the country has suffered
to n greater or less degree because of
w nther conditions. il doesn't help
one whit locally. The money gone is
gone, and with strenuous times facing
the clubs. they can Ill afford to lose
any OF the whcrewithal at the present
time.
At Lee Park. Owner Landgraf.
thanked by Eddie Leonard. some time
OF Richmond. and now a famous per-
former on the vaudeville stage, and
Hugh McKinnon. manager of the Gin
cinnati club. sat in the grandstand
watching the heavenly watering pots
send forth their deluge, while good
~ crowd of fans urged the players to
take a chance on the heavy field. From
4 o'clock until $3.50 hope was held
that game might be played. but the
shower continued without abating one
jot After consultation announcement
was made that the game was off
Same Thing Mt Broad Street.
Practically the same condition OBJ
tained at Broad Street Park. Both club!
were anxious to play, but tho delug,
took no cognizancc of either the wishc.
OF the spectators. or the management
Hope was shattered and 1t was dis
appointed bunch which left the yart
under the shelter of umbrellas. Jack
Grim grabbed his Shipbuilders and
hurried them to a train to return Il
Newport News. where they will avail
Steve Griffin for three-game serie.
beginning Monday.
Mckinnon and his club left at S:2t
last night for Washington, where I
game Will be played to-day with Mock
abee's Senator'S. This will he the frs
professional ball game seen in Wash
ington OH Sunday for many years. ant
q large bunch OF bugs will make tn,
trip to Union League Park to watcl
the game. 1t may be Raymond tina
will pitch. He was as anxious as
school boy to work yesterday. and APP
peased his grievances az not being abb,
TO appear by indulging in many bot
ties of pop and many sacks of pea
nuts, for all of which he made man.
apologies
Speaking particularly of the United
States League. word of commenda
tion is undoubtedly due the men VIII,
have stuck by the organization
through tho many trying periods sine,
ita formation. First there were tn,
continued and oft-repeated assertions
from friendly sources to the effec
that the league was merely paper af
fair. and that 1t would never begir
operations. There were hundreds o
reasons advanced for this opinion, al
of which had theft effect on the pub
lie mind. Ball parks could not be sc
cured, players were ct premium
while the league was being financed OF
shocstring, were some Of the thing
mentioned.
The league really began. 1t matter
little as to tho auspiciousness of tn
openings. At least in three OF tn,
towns in which opening games wer,
played, the crowds In attendance wer
larger than expected. Even New Yorl
turned out for the opening game Al
of the handicaps which have made tn,
revenues from the games In the hi,
leagues Were suffered by the new
league. In fact, everything WORKED
against the magnates from the weathe
man to a hostile press. Still the leagu
went on. playing games as per sche
dule. with tho exception OF, the New
York Richmond games which wer,
transferred here for business reason.