The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-25
OFFICER COMES
TO TAKE NONE Y
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caused the dismembc rment of the club.
Evidently desiring to save money.
they sought to retrench at the most OK
pensive end OF basobail-the playing
strength of the team. Presenting thot
this Is tho true state of affairs. tho di-
rectors have no one to thank but them
selves for the clubs losing games
Captain Bland has taken the stand
that the poor playing OF the club has
caused the poor attendance at homo.
II this is true. he and his associates
are responsible. But If tho Ports-
mouth club played poor baseball at
home. they have improved vastly since
arriving here. Though tho Colts won
three out OF four games on the homo
lot not single game was won with
out the nercest kind of a battle. and
sll save the last one yesterday was
won moro ON the lucky breaks favor
Ing tho home club than becauHe OF su-
perior ability. II Captain Bland and
his associates arc not satisfied with
the club regime. they have their rem
edy. 1t is an easy matter to release
castro II is also easy matter 10
release any member OF tho club and
sign such men as will. In the opinion
OF Captain Bland and his associates,
play real ball. the kind of ball to suit
them.
No ball club iH going to win all OF
It's games, nor is every club which at
one time IN the season topped the list
going To win tho pcnnnnt. Almost any
club is due r. slump and Castro's
slump being attributed to n policy OF
retrenchment started by the club own
ers should not be charged to him We
hold no, brief for the defense Of Cas-
tro. but he IS just about the best minor
League manager seen In tho Virginia
League since its organization. He has
the respect and confidence and support
OF hts players. They consider him
good general and tasknastor who
asks nothing OF his men which he
himself Will not do.
Because OF mis- confidence they
sgned tho following teHtiInonial OF
their respect and regard.
Richmond. August 81. 1914
To Whom 1t May Concern:
We. the undersigned members Of tho
Portsmouth Baseball club. regret ex-
ceedingly that any charges have been
made against US and our manager es-
pecially against Mr.. Castro We con
slider him a peerless leader. who haa
been the hardest worker and tho best
manager We over played bali for. II.
s. always hght!nE TO the last with that
never say-die spirit. always jolly!ns
the boys when they happen to have a
'hN 1H+- III INC REthtLl trouble We
deem II necessary as a body TO voice
our sentiments. (Slgned)
JOHN VERBOUT,
J. Z. HUDGINS,
WALTER HEATING.
LEE II GARVlN,
FRANK L. WOLFE.
" 5. MUTH.
GUY TITMAN.
THOMAS TOKEN
J ERSKINE MAYER,
ALBERT NIXON.
JESS BECKER
Not a member OF the team has any
fault to md regarding financial mat
tiers. The club IS paid in FUN until
September l. What the men do re-
gard as attack upon them. both aA
q team and as individuals. lie the charge
that they have not given thelr full
services 10 the club By which they ara
employed They arc willing 10 hGhi
10 the end OF tho season. but they .eel
tnat Captain bland has gone too far
in saying that they have lodged the
work or have not given their best ef-
forts An for Castro. he Is willing 10
step down and out any time his release
is forthcoming. He Will take The club
10 Roanoke and play the series there.
He VIII also return TO Portsmouth. In
connection with his return. another OF
the rumors says that Captain Bland IS
afraid that Castro VIII do him bodily
harm because OF the telegram which
the Portsmouth manager sent.
In this telegram Castro refers TO set
Ting with Captain Bland In person.
He stlll maintains that Captain Bland,
president and treasurer OF tho cor
poratic.p, Is the only person with whom
ne can settle /, fines are 10 be i'm
posed upon either himself or his men,
he wants 10 settle this question per-
sonally with Captain Bland.
w, b Bradley. principal owner OF tho
Colts Witnessed the game in Ports
mouth last Wednesday. Hero Sc hia
comment: How anybody can say tina;
the Portsmouth club laid down TO us Is
hard for mo to see. The gamo was
close, was hardtought. ana only luck
won for Us. I watched every minute
OF the play. and there were times when
my heart was IN my mouth. l wanted
Richmond to win. and was afraid
that luck would turn and give II TO
Portsmouth. 1t missed being a lay
down about as far as anything know.
captain Bland mates TO lose: so does
almost everybody else. and think
that has something 10 do with tho
present situation. consider Castro
one OF the best managers In the league
and a man who can be depended upon.
To the best OF my information, he has
enough money 10 take him to Roanoke
and return. and I believe he Will take
the club there TO play the SERIES"
Portsmouth's share OF the gate re-
ceipts Yesterday was about $780,
which means that a banner crowd was
out. the total receipts being approx
mately $500. The trouble Is started
and no man knows where It may lead
Charging bail players with not doing
and unless substantIated may lead TO
complica,ions