The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-14
VIRGINIA LEAGUE
BEGINS ITS SEASON
HEADED by BAND, CLUBS WILL Pa
RADE STREET TIT RSDAN
AFTERNOON.
COLTS VS.. COOLERS
ALL CLUBS ON LAST LAP OF TRAIN
ING SEASON-SoRFGLk AND Pc
TERsHURG ARE STRONG
CHAsERs FOR PENNANT.

All interest viii be ceutered on the
opening of the State league this week.
The six clubs are new on their last
round of practice. winding up We'd
nesday, preparatory To the opening
on Thursday
Onthat day Petersburg will meet
Richmond at Broad street park, Nor
folk will meet Portsmouth in the lat
ter city; and Newport News win trav-
el TO the city of Roanoke.
On Friday Richmond will switch to
Petersburg.
The Colts look stronger this sea-
son with the bat than ever before, al
though the sizing up of players in pre-
liminary games must be done with
some degree OF uncertainty.
Lack of Interest
Another element of alarm here ia
the apparent lack of interest among
the masses. While the weather con-
ditions prevailing during the days of
exhibition games were deplorahle. still
the attendance when such big league
clubs as Brooklyn. Boston. Philadel-
phia and Washington played was dis
couraging.
Richmond is considered the best
ball town in minor league circles. 1t
has drawn crowds when much larger
cities held empty seats.
The rivalry here last year brought
out the old enthusiasm. and it en-
phaszed the fact that Richmond Is
still great ball town. With no pos
sihility at this time Of getting Into
anything larger than the State league.
but holding expectations of greater
things to come, it IS hoped the fans
may stick 10 the State league and
show the country at large by the at
tendance and loyalty to the home club
that this old town is stfll on the base
bal map.
Has Done Well
Steve Griffin has done his best to
land winning cluh. His men have
been hitting the bali and fielding as
they have never done before in prac-
tice games They came almost to the
scratch with the International league
clubs, actually winning one game, And
with equal practice 1t is probable that
the locals would have won a majority
of the games played with Toronto.
Rochester and Newark.
From where this writer sits Norfolk
and Petersburg look stronger than the
other contenders. Broderick may be
getting the Shipbuilders together. but
the condition there IS not satisfactory.
Cannot be with substitute manager
handling the team.
Portsmouth Is something of an I'M
known quantity. while Roanoke APP
pears to DC just getting into shape.
Petersburg and Norfolk, however,
have been in line for some time, and
unless observation Is defective,
Stephen will have to watch these two
clubs, particularly at the beginning OF
the season.
Fans on For Petersburg.
A large party of Richmond fans
will go over to Petersburg on Friday
70 help the Colts take the second game
from the Gooberites. They will leave
on the o'clock car from Seventh and
Perry streets.
1t has been suggested that the fans
organize and take pennants and horns
with them TO the Southslde city.
On Thursday afternoon at o'clock,
the Richmond and Petersburg clubs
will assemble at the City han. From
that point, after having been reviewed
by the mayor and governor, headed by
kessnich's band, they viii parade the
principal business streets. The game
will start al four O'Clock.