The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-09
WAR FAILS TO
AFFECT GAME
European Trouble Does Not
Destroy Interest Of Fans
In Baseball.
MORE THAN HOLDING OWN
Games Prestige Put to Severe Test
in Contest Between Giants
.. .. and Cardinals.

One Of the big questions the New York
baseball clubs was eager to have solved
has been answered in a manner far more
satisfactory to them than they had an
ticipated. 1t has been convincingly prov
en- that It will take more than a general
European war to destroy the fans" in
terest in the Giants and their dash for
the pennant.
The test came with the playing of the
double-header between the Giants and
Cincinnati Reds. Monday has always
been an on day for baseball crowds, and
in the most favorable circumstances a
double attraction in August on the first
playing day of the week seldom brings
out the host of rooters in full force.
With every conceivable element work.
ing against a large attendance, from the
fact that it was a bad baseball day to the
more important fact that the greatest
war in history Is now in progress to en-
gross the attention Of everybody. the
curiosity Of the baseball owners to see
what would happen with a double-header
offered to lure the public was just the
curiosity that man has to learn
whether his business will weather a rag
ing storm. And as IL in answer to this
question the fans" turned out in a solid
enthusiastic body, just as though there
was nothing to interfere with the seren-
ity of this little old world. There were
between 1000 and 1900 at the Polo
Grounds.
Holding Its own.
One would never imagine to look over
the crowd that filled the grand stand and
portion of the bleachers that this has
been declared a lean year for baseball. 1t
may be a lean year in other parts OF the
country but as long as John McGraw is
able to provide New York with winning
,,I.I
falling of in interest in New York. A
crowd Of 1900 persons is a mighty fine
gathering at q baseball park in any kind
of times, but itsis nothing less than re-
markable when obstacles such as those
which now darken the horizon are be-
setting the path OF the national sport.
In view OF the substantial proof that
has now been offered that baseball will
survive a body blow, such as conflict
involving three-Quarters Of the civilized
world, it is an interesting question
whether there is any force that packs
sufficient punch to put the game on a
slab in the morgue Many Of our best
known experts have commended that q few
individuals connected with the game car
ried the wallop and were really and anx-
ious to use it. But a European conhgra
ton lacks the needed force. Maybe some !
insignificant little affair viii bob up some |
" ~ u NAAc AllCh ALld1 a ICeA
tum lacks.
The Federal League.
So far as the Federal League is con-
cerned the situation is different, for |
there is no similarity between giving |
patronage to an established institution. |
particularly IL that institution is q win
ming one, and supporting q new enter
prise. OF all the years of the last decade |
the present is unquestionably the worst |
that could have been chosen for the |
launching of a new baseball league.
The success of a new undertaking such |
as the Federal League depends largely |
upon whether the public lie IN q receptive |
mood to support II. II b necessary for |
baseball conditions in general to be -FOUR |
ishing for new league to be able to
gain foothold. With the baseball world |
at peace and all the factors concerned
working for the advancement OF the newt
league finding favor would be vastly
greater than when the launching takes
place in such circumstances as have I
marked the birth Of the Federal.
Bob Bescher Is running the bases aRain. l
and it is the same as giving him q two
Dagger to walk him 70 first base. Bob 1
S likely 70 go well during the latter half
Df the season. as his ankle seems to be
holding up now. In Robertson, Bescher.
and Burns the Giants have the fastest
outfeld in the National League-aIi good
hitters and runners. az well Is ground /
,oYeTers in the gardenA