The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-16
Sporting News Department
FAST CANE YESTERDAY; Colonies
PLAY CUBAN STARS HERE TOMORROW
(By Robert e. Dundon. }


(By Robert e. Dundon.)
Fast, snappy baseball was exem-
plified by the Colonels and Athletics
in the exhibition series inaugural at
the fair grounds yesterday after
noon, the American League cham
pions winning from the American
runners up by the close
score Of 4 to B..
The result was always in doubt,
the Kentuckians, after gaining
two run lead, being tied through an
eighth inning rally, the Athletics
going ahead in the same period on
combination Of errors of commission
and omission. Louisville made
hard fight to knot it up again and
got one run in the local half. but
couldn't quite make up the lost
ground.
For the Colonies, it may be said
that they did not play their best
game. This is not advanced as an
argument against the validity Of the
victory OF the Athletics. but in jus
tice to the Louisville club.
For instance, Catcher Crossin
threw to second base on an attempt
ed double steal, with two men out,
and score tied, in the eighth. He
should have held the ball, as the
batsman at the time was Sin the
hole" and the chances of retiring
the side without further scoring
would have been much greater by
playing for the batter.
Also, in the last half of the eighth
inning, Osborn was at bat with a
runner on third and another on the
first base. There was one out, and
it required two runs for Louisville
to tie the score. With the count
three balls and one strike, Osborn
went after q pitch that was trifle
low and inside for left handed
batter. While it might have been
called q strike, Osborn should have
waited the string out, and tried &c
get q base on balls, thus placing
himself on the bases, automatically
advancing Daniels to second, 80 thai
the latter could score the tying rur
on q single, and that Osborn coult
score the winning run on a lont
double or two singles. Going afte
this pitch. Osborn did score one run
a. he sent . high fly to Murphy Of
which Miller got home.
But it was not the orthodox man
ner Of playing baseball for tn
Louisville club in Its regular sea
son.
! Aside from the slight incongrui
tiles Of team work, which are to b
expected this early in the season
1.-THE play Of both teams was fast
Stansbury, who was playing thir
base in place OF Midkiff, out Of tn
line up with q lame arm. after max
ing a remarkable stop Of a war;
drive from Walsh's bat in tn
eighth, cut loose a two base will
throw. This gave the Athletics a
opening to score. Errors are nee
essary part Of the game, and a play
er is never to be criticised for fun
BILE or wild throw, unless 1t be
needless play.
Miller showed a flash Of spec
when he went from first to third !
the eighth inning on Daniels drill
bier to Crane, who fumbled the bal
As Crane made the belated throw
, first base, Miller was easily safe {
third. 1t requires two perfect throw
to get q runner on this sort Of pla,
but it is too risky to be attempte
, on the average "old head" who ne'
er throws the ball when he sees tbs
he has fumbled long enough to II
, sure a man reaching base.
Perry and Northrop, who pitche
the first six innings for the Colonel
| each held the Athletics to one hi
| Walsh scored in the sixth after leat
, ing of with a double to left, whic
J was an ordinary single, which W;
fielded slowly. He took third on Nj
: lines grounder to Derrick, ar
scored when Schang tapped a slo
t one to second. 1t was questionab