New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-19
Tribune Tourney Wins an
Ardent Friend in Park
Commissioner Ward.
FRANKIE POWERS WAS
REALLY NOT TO BLAME
One Hitherto Unrecorded Incl.
. dent of Diamond Which Would
Have Riled an Evers.

Park Commissioner Cabot Ward has
3 decided taste for Sand-lots baseball.
He admits il himself-nay, more, ne is
proud Of il.
Last Wednesday he laid aside his of
fcial dignity and his straw hat and
threw in the first ball that officially
opened the inter-park series of the
Tribune Baseball Tournament at Cor
lcsrs Hook Park.
The cohorts from Seward Park, four
teams and several hundred rooters
strong, came to Corlears Hook Park
and made a day Of it. Incidentally,
they carried off the lions share OF the
honors by winning three of the four
games played. OF course, the Com
missioner did not see all the teams in
take his baseball in small doses. How
ever. William J. Lee. supervisor of rec
reation, who has charge of the tourna-
ment. remained for some time and
watched the boys cavort around the
diamond.
Before he went Commissioner Ward
said that he wished the cares of office
did not press so heavily. Baseball is
a great game" he said, land | envy
those boys out there. l feel like grab
bing up a bat myself and going out
and getting into the game.
az fully appreciate the great and
good work that The Tribune is doing
with its baseball tournament. The
prizes have been a great incentive to
the boys, and have done much to draw
them to the Fairgrounds and into the
competition. and. above all. keep them
of the streets. The game itself inspires
them 10 do things and stirs up lot Of
healthy rivalry. Indeed. The Tribune
is to be thanked and commended in its
work"
Then the Commissioner threw out
the ball and the game was on. The
throw was a good one. so good that
one almost wished that Mr.. Ward could
have his wish and get out there on the
diamond with bat.
The big league ball tosser differs
from his sand-lots or playground broth
er in many respects. but when it comes
20 digging up alibis for misplays the
Youngsters toe right up to the marx
set by the big ones.
An error decided the game between
the Stewards and the Corlears in the So
pound class. With the score at l TO o
against them and two out in the fifth
inning. the Seward Midgets managed to
fiji the bases. Then one Of the Sew
ards popped up little fly back Of the
nitcher's box. The second baseman
ran in. but just missed the ball. He re-
covered it quickly, however, and threw
20 first.
Just about that time frankie Powers
had visions of making a stop worthy
of Jake Daubert. He stretched out
his hand. but the ball flicked his glove
and went right on. On diamonds Ike
that balls have habit OF rolling TOT
blocks and blocks. Four runs scored
True. the throw OF the second base
man might have been bit wlld' puI
somebody had TO be blamed, so the
manager of tho Corlears wrote an un-
conditional release for young MI
Powers then and there.
Powers had the same idea as Johnny
Fvers had when the one time mighty
Chubby" Charley Murphy Topped oil
his head as manager of the CUBS some
~ rnonths ago. Powers spied the
tribune reporter on the side lines.
"Say. mister" he piped. you saw
that play, didn't you? Say, IT WASH I
NV fault. You saw how wide 1t was
an. anyhow, that second oaseman
shouldn't have missed that pop up:
Rnt- gee. II he'd only thrown the ball
ANYWAY decent I'd have grabbed 1t sure
Tbev always put the blame on me-
ANYHOW. Gee, it wasn't my fauit; you
saw that play, mister"
There was only one answer 70 tne