The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-19
BY HARRY TUCKER.

The graceful manner in which Sec.
rotary Bradley and Manager Griffin
refused to accept a forfeit Saturday,
must draw admiration from the play
ers and fans all over the State.
It was a privilege the local club
had. and with a forfeited game
against Roanoke the Colts would have
been at the top of the list. and not in
third place.
But the Richmond magnates are
real sports, and 1t cannot be said
that at any time will they take tech
nicai advantage OF competitors.
The faithful thousand who ventured
against the pneumonia germ In the
autumn-like mist and wind Indicated
no displeasure at the turn affairs
took, but accepted the defeat as grace
fully as the club officials declined to
accept the forfeit. Had the day been
fair. 1t Is believed there would have
been a record attendance, not only
because Of the loyalty of the fans.
but because the result OF the game
meant much--the top OF the list.
1t might be remarked that there
were many female fans on hand not
withdrawing the weather. It is re-
inarkable how the ball bug works.
The Colts should return from the
trip at the head of the column. Yet
1t must not be felt that they are up
against an easy proposition. for the
Shipmen are doing some tall hustling
for lost ground. and enthusiasts In the
little Chesapeake and Ohio terminal
station are stacking strong on the
ability OF their club to get up in the
running.
Newport News comes here for three
games this week. so that OF the six
games between the two clubs Rich
mond. by all the rules OF mathematics
and luck. get four.
Roanoke meets Portsmouth on the
mountain side field. which is some
thing of an advantage. The players
from the swamps and fats and truck
farms are not yet accustomed to play
ing on the side OF mountain.
Petersburg, also has disadvantage
In having the Norfolk huskies against
them A home crowd helps nightly
to win a game.
1t Is said that number Of the Colt
fans will go down to the snfpyards
to see the Colts win the games. Good
trip
Here In little gossip from the
Newport News Press:
Guess. Newport News isn't some
baseball town That's what lot of
folks around this league claimed az
ter the bad showing of the town last
year, There is nothing like that to
keep down attendance this year and
ii may be Of interest to know that
the Petersburg club pulled down for
its share of the gate receipts Thurs-
day more money than the Newport
News club received for either one OF
the two week days that It played at
Richmond. Figures do not lie and
the official figures show this to be
fact and Newport News is only eighth
N large as Richmond. Oh. no. New
port News isn't any baseball town, but
week than any other town in the
league.
Manager Matthews has three new
players In camp. Second Baseman
Cashier and Catcher Powell. Cashier
plays q nice fielding game and shows
great speed on the bases. He il a
seasoned player and fills big hole
at the second sack. Powell formerly
caught with Norfolk. There Is an
other new player in camp. He 10
Powell. an outnelder He also is an
experienced player. q fast fielder and
a good hitter. He will top the bat
ting list.
Catcher Eean ana Outfelder More
land and Walters have been released.
the new catcher and two new out
felders replacing them. With posi-
bly, one exception these will be the
last changes to be made In the club
this season. And, incidentally, It
might be said that the team IN now
constituted will give anything In this
League run for the money.
| This writer never has believed In
unnecessarily nagging umpirea or
criticising them. but the work Of Mr..
/ Norcum on the home lot calls for
criticism. Simply because the New
port News club Ia down, IL no rea-
son why he should jump ON it with
| both feet Neither the club nor the
fans ask him for any favors; they sim
| ply. ask for at least half of the close
! decisions