Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1914-06-26
&" e.. OF BASEBALL OF
TODAY AND MANY YEARS AGO

A. q. Spalding. the sporting goods
manufacturer, n former member oil
the Chicago Baseball Club, million
aire resident Of San Diego. Cal, and
ohr of the promoters of the Rio
i'unbres Irrigation company, which
has u large tract of land north of
Demine which is being developed in
To fine farms became reminiscent
during his visit here recently and
gave out the following information
of the great American National pas
time
Sixty eight years ago the first
match game of baseball on record
was played. The game was between
the Knickerbocker aud New York
baseball clubs in the Elysian Fields
at IIoboken, n. J. The players were
members of the leading New York
families, and engaged in the sport
ms II pastime. A bevy of town bellies
in the group Of spectators made the
occasion seem like social function.
"The field was marked off into
hr baseball diamond 50 familiar to-
day. None of the players wore
gloves. masks, or protectors. II was
the custom for the batter TO say
where he wanted the ball thrown. The
pitcher. or 'giver', as he was then
called, delivered il with an under
hand toss, according to the rules Of
the game. 1t was thought that the
pitcher had an unfair advantage over
the batter when he threw the ball
overland. hence the rule. The catch
or stood at safe distance behind the
batter, ready to catch the ball on the
bound.
THE rules dictated that il he
caught the third strike on the first
bound the batter was out; otherwise
he must throw to first base to put
him ont Likewise, the fielders, or
scouts were permitted to catch hits
on the first bound. Three outs re-
tired the side. The team that first
scored 81 runs, or aces, regardless
of the number of innings played, was
accounted the winner. After the
game, the players resorted to one
OF the famous taverns of the day
where the victors had dinner at the
expense of the vanquished.
To-day baseball holds the nation
in its grip. Presidents, statesmen,
millionaires, and bankers forsake
their desks to attend the games. Ov-
er 10000, 900 fans pay more than
$l0.0O0,000 to see the 5000 profess
sional ball players making up the
more than so major and minor
leagues in the United States. These
athletes combined earn salaries
amounting to more than $4,000, 900
season-some star players are said
to receive more than $l5, 900 for six
months work.
"The outcome of games is awaited
throughout the country with deeper
interest than many of the grave prob
lens that confront the government.
There is hardly a school, univer-
sity or social club in the country
that is not represented at least once
on the baseball diamond during the
year. There are many baseball mines
made up of girls and women who can
play nearly as well as their brother
players in many minor leagues. Base
ball is not only the national game to-
day, but it is rapidly becoming in
ternational.
wherever the United States flag
flies, in the Philippines, Hawaii, Por-
to Rico, or Alaska, there are rabid
baseball fans and professional play
ers. In the shade of Japan's famous
cherry trees, native university STU
dents are lining 'em out Coinci-
dent with the adoption of the prin-
ciples of u republic, the Chinese also
adopted the American game of base
ball.
"And now comes the news that
the French Athletic association has
decided to adopt baseball as a ma
tional sport. In fact, the sun never
sets on baseball's kingdom"