The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-18
standing OF the Clubs.
Where They PIny To-Day.
Richmond at Petersburg.
Newport News at Roanoke.
Portsmouth at Norfolk
ny GUS NIALnEI,T.

Ivan Sphyghalski pulled the veil
aside at the unwilling of the Virginia
League Notwithstanding that Rich
incnd won. The score was to o.
Ordinarily something like 10000 fans
have hand in this rather impressive
ceremony. Billed properly and offered
AS the one real attraction OF a period
normally punctuated by equinoctial
storms. the opening of the Virginia
League has heretofore not been one
man affair.
But ivan was very much upstagc.
insisted upon the calcium. and. with
out wishing TO offend the ultra scnti-
tive, hogged the show.
Everything driftcd along nicely for
some several seconds. News that Mr..
McTague, who was scheduled to Off
ciate as umpire in Portsmouth, had
sprained his ankle and would be unable
to appear had not caused a single jar.
Just by one stroke of the pen. Presi-
dent Boatwright, who arrived upon the
scene early, split the double act in
Richmond and sent Mr.. Kennedy to
the seaport village in place OF the in
jured individual, leaving Colgate to
man the ship alone.
Ducky Fberts. answering the stri-
dent message. Batter up walked 10
the centre and lifted his club with that
nonchalance which has made him the
envy of many younger seekers for
fame. Without narrating at length,
the arrival of Ducky, accompanied by
the united shout of all that noble as
semblage, brought the end of the to
engagement and gave Ivan, with
fangs pulled. the chance to distinguish
himself.
Not waiting for the formalities. such.
rs introductions and announcements
cxtraordinary, Ducky smotc at the
first Offering. 1t was by no means
doing justice to either Clyde Richmond.
the highly heralcd product of swami
poodle. which is I'm Washington, or
Mr.. Colgate. Clyde failed absolutely
in realizing that it was champion
ship battle. and Mr.. Colgate didn't find
an opportunity to test his weather eye.
which is likewise his only apparent
method of earning livelihood. Re-
turning briefly to Ducky and his part
in making Mr.. Sphyghalski famous lie
rolled the leather neatly and softly
toward third base. Mr.. Spy-thats his
official name to save both space AMI
the good nature of us scribes--grab bed
the emblem of purity just as it should
have been gathered under all legiti-
mate rules, but he failed In lifting it
arrival at first, Thus 1t gives us the
opportunity not alone to dramatizc Mr..
Spy, but to place Ducky at second base.
sacrifice fly and sacrifice hit gave
Eberts the chance to score.
From now on the seory runs smooth
~. Richmond won the initial clash
because Richmond showed n team bet
ter prepared than the ono brought over
from Petersburg. OF course, 1T is bare
~ possible that Hcinie Busch may
spring something quite new this af-
ternoon when the seat of battle is
transferred to Goobertown. But that
is quite aside from the question. Rich
mond won. Mr.. Spy's glarng mistake
in trying to land the sphere in the
bleachers instead of into the waiting
glove of Mr.. Barnett started it all.
I. Eberts, OH second, managed to stroll
nonchalantly ITO third, while Connie
Bresnahan was giving Richmond, the
hurler. an opportunity to handle a sac
rifce Manager Steven Griffin, nursing
his new uniform and anxious to start
something, sent magnificent loft to-
ward Spencer in centre. and Ducky
came across with the first run of the
season and with the ono count needed
to win.
Steve showed his master mind in Sc
lccting Charlie Strain as the opponent
of Buschs crowd. Those of us who
remember the second game of 1912 in
Petersburg, Will recall how Charles
was able to send every death seeking
gunman back to the resting place alb.
solutely conquered. He repeated. That
tells 1t all briefly In all the nine
frames. during which Petersburg sent
gril1ing fire toward the Colt defense,
Just one Individual had the pleasure
OF becoming acquainted with third sta
ton His name happens to be Black
stone, and he was stopped without
doing damage save to his physical
.sprowess. Not one single count could
the Coolers push over.
In addition to holding the enemy
scoreless. Charles ono of our very own.