Evening star., 1914-05-31
AMATEURS HAVING
SUCCESSFULLY YEAR
Leagues Are Evenly Balanced
and Games Are Drawing
Good Crowds.
CALDWELL PROVES THAT
HE is A GREAT RUNNER
Gave Evidence of Remarkable Prov
ess in the Georgetown Meet
Last Spring.
BY n. G. BYRD.

BY n. 9. BYRD.
Amateur base ball in Washington
now seems to be on a good footing.
In fact. 1t Is questionable II either Of
the past two years has found the teams
In the various circuits sailing along as
comfortably as at present. There is not
an organization in which a good fight
is not taking place. while the rivalry
between some teams Is intense. 1t Is
also a fact that better crowds than
usual are attending many OF the con-
tests.
Even as late as the first of last March
1t was generally thought by those in
close touch with the sport that the
game was In for an off year. but
such has not been true. Contrary to
what was generally looked for, more
teams than usual were gotten out and
"a far greater interest than was ex-
pected was evident from the beginning.
Organizations which did not come un-
der the jurisdiction of the amateur
commission last season asked to be
admitted, and their requests were
granted. With one exception, every
other circuit in the city which operated
ago was again in effect May 4, the
time of the general opening.
In view Of the exceptional success OF
the Nationals it is rather remarkable
that good crowds are are tse
many Of the games is really better
than at this time last year. which Is
indicative of greater general interest.
teur movement here for some years are
very much pleased with the prospects Of
real success. One had the following to
say yesterday relative to the future:
Il am glad to see the way things are
going in the amateur leagues. have
hardly ever seen more successful year
as far as 1t has gone. There has been
practically no discord in any of the
leagues, though trouble has been ex-
perienced in one or two with the UNI
way in which the amateur teams are
drawing crowds. especially when 1t Is
considered that the professional team Is
so successful.
Another thing. 1t appears to mo that
the leagues are better balanced this
year, and it is certain that every team
which goes into the post-season series
will have a chance for the championship.
There is hardly club in the city which
overshadows the others, as has been the
case in the previous seasons, and you
can just bet that one of the best elimina-
ton contests ever carried on here to
determine the amateur championship will
be seen when the representatives OF the
various leagues get together in that final
series"
Georgetown certainly started its trip in
a most successful manner. 1t won from
Fordham by such a decisive score that
the Gothanites must not even have been
in the same class II the Blue and Gray
can keep up its present gait. 1t is almost
certain to win from the Pittsburgh Col
legians in Pittsburgh tomorrow. The
Pittsburgh aggregation ought not to be
as strong as that which represented
Fordham. though 1t is possible that 1t
will be even more formidable. The Pitts
burgh team is made up mostly of former
graduates of big schools. and some VINO
play summer ball. Much will depend upon
whether these players will be in shape
though it is certain that they will not
be working together as well as the Hill
toppers.
A big track and field meet Is sched-
uled to be held at Chesapeake Beach
June a. The events will be under the
management of Dan Hassett. a local man,
who is a member of the Irish-American
Athletic Club. Hassett has had consider
able connection with track sports. having
been a performer of great capability him
self and having been connected in vari-
GUS ways with such games.
The n events sh 70 vapd De dash oovard run
| liz
ive-mile run and relay. These events
with the exception Of the relay, will be
handicap. The relay will be closed to
the parochial schools OF Baltimore and
the District.
The medals to be given will be very
handsome. They are costing about three
times what those given In the average
meet do. The medals for first place are
set usually costs. The meet is under
the sanction of the Amateur Athletic
Union, and only registered athletes can
compete.
Three members Of the in1eld of the
Mount Pleasant team in the Northwest
Sunday School League are former West
ern High players Stearns is holding
Peine is playing third. Rakeman, an
other Western lad. Is in the outf1eld.
The team, as q whole has been playing
good ball. too. its main lack being a
competent pitcher.
There are few better hitters to be
found among the colleges in this section
| than Knode. who has been PLAYED short
stop for the Maryland Aggies this spring.
ils knode has been leading or the batting
order Tor the Farmers. and there have
been few games in which he has failed
| to get on the bases two or three times.
He Is the kind of hitter who can meet
the ball Just as well with two strikes on
1
| take Wallops at bad pitches. There NAV
| be some few more capable base runners
| with the college teams around here thar
| knode, but san all-round offensive nIev-
er 1t is very doubtful If he has a snnerior
Just where Billy Martin, who ia at nres-
ent holding down shortstop on the
| georgetown team, will play this summer
is question. He has a chance to go to
the Cleveland club, but whether he will
avail himself Of the opportunity to take
chance in the American League ia NOT
known. The probabilities are that Martin
will be seen with some semi-pro nine I'm
north or will play in the Tri-City circuit.
in which several of the players from the
Maryland colleges are to be found.
Wherever Martin goes, provided he
plays as brilliantly as he has in some of
the college games on the hilltop this
spring. he will prove a valuable acquisi-
ton.
That the Central League ID a whole lot
stronger this year than last is certain.
| Sherwood and the Printers proved the
best clubs in the organization in 1918, but
both are finding 1t mighty hard to win
games now. Particularly is this true of
| the Printers. One of the players on their
team said the other day that the league
looked whole lot faster to him. Said
he: I'VE are playing whole lot better
ball even than last year, but the trouble
Is the other teams are so much better,
too. That is why we are not winning
games"
The strength OF the Central League
1