Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-23
BY n. C. BYRD.

The Independence League owes its pbe-
nomenal growth to the accomplishments
of its president. -. w. Roahes. Since he
took charge of affairs in the circuit the
organization has grown from one of the
weakest to what is perhaps. generally
speaking. the strongest in the city. Under
Mr.. Roakes' care the Independence League
has become the best money maker In the
District, and is practically the only one
which operates decidedly on that basis.
Last spring a year ago, when the
league was compelled to give up its play
ing field, there was much quandary as to
where it would go. and there was a gen
eral feeling the circuit would be COM
PEELED to desist from further operation be-
cause of lack of suitable diamond. A
meeting was held and the question Of a
president came up. Mr.. Roakes was elect
ed to what was then thought would be
more Of an honorary job, considering the
doubt about the continuation of the cir
cult
Mr.. Roakes took charge; then things
started. He Immediately began cast
ing about to secure a new field. He
found the vacant lot at North Capitol
and " streets. secured lease on 1t
and Immediately set about having 1t
sions TO the action. 1t being felt that
too much money was to be spent. But
Roakes knew what he was doing and
did 1t.
What the Independence League is to-
day shows that its president has not
pursued false ways in accomplishing re-
suits. 9Ie has done what he started out
for, to place the league among the best
in amateur ranks. After piunsing the
circuit into big debt last year. he SO
naJs toGyr
season was finished with everything
squared up and about $500 in the treas
ur!.
This season the league s much strong
er. It is playing on an inciosed field. ioI
which it pays daily rental In playing
strength Il compares in general with any
of the other organizations. In fact, from
third-rate circuit it has been developed
into the foremost one in the city.
Roakes has accomplished ii. lie has
done what was really not expected. There
have been times when there were MUIR
murinss against his actions, but the re-
suits attained prove he has not been
wrong III his calculations. To him should
be given the credit for the success Of the
NOW most successful OF the amateur
agues
4 rev schedule has been drafted in the
Columbia League The games remaining
to be PLAYED are as follows:
Rraddcck: %. Equitable W. Southern; "a.
Braddnck vs.. Printers; -. Equitable VS.. Bank
ers: Bankers VS.. STANDARD; 70 Braddoch " Vs.
August standard Printers; 2 Equitable
VS.. Braddock: 3. Bankers Southern; 4. Print
ers Southern; 3. Standard Va Equitable: 8.
Bankers vs.. BraddOck: Z. Standard VS.. South
srn s BANKERS vs. Southern; 2 standas san, w..
ern Printers; ID. Standard vs. Bankers. and
IA. Printers VS.. American Security.
Ed Mullaney. who did some fine work
back Of the bat for Georgetown this
spring, has been appointed captain and
manager Of the Bellaire team in West
Virginia. BeIlaire supports a semi-pro-
fessional organization which is not far
behind the smaller leagues in playing
strength.
There Is little doubt that Mullaney will
make good He is Of such a Hkable dis
position that his men will not help work
ing hard for him. and he himself Is an
exceptional performer. there being few
college catchers who can be ranked above
him. None of the big universities play
ing here last spring had men behind the
bat who looked superior to Muilaney:
Here is what one of the Wheeling
papers had to say regarding the appoint
ment OF Mullaney:
ED Mullaney Of Martins Ferry star
catcher of the Georgetown University
base ball team, has been made player
the balance Of the season, and his friends
expect him to make good. as he has had
several years experience with fast col
lege teams under the best of coaches.
The new manager-captain has had sew
eral opportunities to play with fast league
teams during the season. but on account
of the strict laws of his university ath-
letic association against professionalism
he turned them all down to stay on the
Bellaire team for the practice he will
get. With his college work over nc Will
be ripe for the fastest kind of base ball,
and may make the big leagues.
Sunday School League he will have some
record for the year. To date he has won
every game in which he has officiated.
and he has played in something like
fourteen.
Two leagues have finished their sched-
ules and one other is on the verge Of
completing its season The Marquette
ended its season some time ago, while the
Departmental did SO last week. The Gov
eminent circuit will play its last contest
this week. It having finished its schedule
of regular contests. There are only the
postponed games to be played.
About fifteen entries have been received
for the swimming race to be held Satur-
day on the Potomac under the auspices
of the Y. NJ. G.. A. 1t is expected that
many more will be had before the entries
close Friday night
The course extends from the Chain
| bridge to the Aqueduct bridge. and it Is
expected that it will be covered In faster
time than has ever been made. judging by
the class OF some of the entries.
The substitutes for the Technical High