The Washington herald., 1914-02-28
ny WILLIAM PEET.

Anacostia went baseball mad last night
Clark Griffith, manager OF the Nation
ais, accompanied by his young catchers.
John Henry and Eddie Ainsmith, were
guests of honor at the annual smoker of
the Potomac Baseball League, and all
made speeches
When the Old Fox stepped out on the
stage in Masonic Hay the cheering was
so vociferous that the lights nearly went
out
Courage and determination. together
with perfect harmony, put the Nationals
in second place last year." were Griff' S
opening remarks.
when we were in Cleveland during the
early weeks of the 1913 season the news
papers called US the Sliders, and as the
club was shot to pieces we were beaten
the first series. but the boys were SO de-
termined to atonesfpr this poor showing
that they got together and made life
miserable for that club, nosing them out
for second place" he added.
Following Griff's speech came a few
impromptu remarks by John Henry, the
Nationals catcher, who arrived in WASH
ington only yesterday.
II indorse everything Grifr has said.
Harmony always has been the keynote
on our ball club. Without it no team
can expect to succeed" vouchsafed the
collegian.
Ainsmith, plainly embarrassed, told the
fans OF Anacostia that any time they
rooted hard from the grand stand for
victory, boys down on the field were try
ing just as hard to win.
Altogether it was a big night for Ana
costa and the Potomac League. DR.. J.
7. Watson, president of the league, acted
as POSTMASTER and introduced the speak
ers, among whom was Harry V. Shurt-
left, secretary of the amateur baseball
commission.
The smoker was held in Masonic Hall
which was packed to the doors. Follow
ing the smoker a banquet was served at
the home Of Morris McGrath, manager of
the Fairlawn Club.
After explaining the different rulings
of the Amateur Association Of District to
the officers and fans of the Potomac
Baseball League, Secretary Harry Shurt-
left. of the local association. extended an
invitation to the circuit across the East
ern Branch to join the ranks Of the or
ganized amateur baseball in the Dis
trict-
His talk to the followers of the
Potomac League was met with much
applause, and in answer President DR..
J. T. Watson, gave his word to the
representor of the association that the
Potomac League would be glad to meet
the local organization half way and from
the enthusiasm which was shown II is
probable that they will join at the next
meeting of the amateurs.
In a speech at the banquet which fol-
lowed the smoker, DR.. J. T. Watson ex-
planned that the Potomac League was on
well paying basis and that it would not
be policy to join the local organization
and pay over a lot of money.
Watson went on to show that the Po
tomac League was the best paying cir
cult in the District and as far as at
tendance, that LOO people was the aver |
age during the games at the end of the |
season.
After again explaining that the Poto- !
mac League would not have to give big |
financial support to the local organization. |
Secretary Shurtleff assured the followers
Of the Potomac League that by affiliating |
with the association the rivalry between
the clubs in their circuit would be in
creased.