The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-08
Cockade City
Baseball Briefs

Petersburg. Va, June Local
baseball enthusiasts, of which there
are quite a few, are sorely disappoint-
ed over the showing made by the fet-
ersburg Virginia League team recent
ly, and in the opinion of eae writer
they are to some extent justified in
the expression of certain opinions.
The record Of the team at the begin
ming Of the season indicated that Pet
ersburg had the best prospects for
winning a penant that had ever been
seen here TO start with. but the
teams recent record. OF twelve games
PLAYED. three won, one tied, and
eight games lost without any appar-
ent reason. has disguised many loyal
fans.
To those who have lost hopes OF
seeing another game won, we call at
tention to the fact that all during the
past week the Cubs leaders in the
National Leagpe. made only two runs
and Petersburg. while lacking runs to
win games. made more. than did the
Cubs.
Attention Is called to rsie fact that
the Norfolk Tars went through the en-
tire week without winning a game
The Virginia League teams, in the
opinion OF the writer. were never
more evenly balanced. and con-
sequently the slightest break in
the good or bad fortunes of the
game means a game won or a game
lost.
So 49,
los. 70 Rocky Mount Friday. and the
first game Saturday, were two of the
prettiest ever witnessed in the Vir-
ginia League. games vnat would sat
isfv the most exacting; but both were
lost on Just one bad break at a cr,.;-
cal point.
Notwithstanding the facts cited
a bove there are at least two positions
on the team that will have to be
strengthened and strengthened quick
~. or all hopes are lost for winning
the pennant for the first half OF the
season. The positions are in RE
catching department and in the out
field The team Is woefully weak In
left field, and with one good catcher
who will probably he suspended for
being ha nished from yesterdays game,
will be in hole for keeps unless Mr..
Boatwright takes com passion on the
team, which cannot be advised for the
sake of clean sport 0Rrien. natu-
raj treuble-maker wherever he goes.
Jlriosn and Francisco should ali be sus-I
pended for their bad conduct.
Blackstone and Tee have both been
big disappointment to local follow
ers of the game. as we'll as to the
owners and management of the club
Just why they are not playing the
game that the public believes them to
be capable OF playing. is beyond the
writer's knowledge. but there il talk
and talk. and it is a settled fact that
first class baseball player has to
keep good hours and be a man of gooo
habits, or else he hits the toboggan.
The pitching staff is as good as
Petersburg has ever had. and fully
as good as any in the league. but
sympathy of the Petersburg fans Is
with this department Sam Rice alone
saas lost eight games since the open
ing of the season by one-run mar
gin.
The cIubowners have iabored hard
70 give Petersburg winning team,
and both DIR. Leigh and Manager
Busch are TO be sympathized with.
but there are those who believe that
II more discipline was used and less
money spent the result would be diff
ferent. A prominent practicing. ply
sfcian and a loyal fan is said to have
been asked day or two ago for his
opinion as to why certain members
of the team were not playing the
brand of ball that they are believed
to be capable of playing. to which hel
replied: ASK the police, they are
out later at night than / am"
The Norfolk Tars. the other league |
sTiders, are scheduled to play here
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. |
These games should prove exciting
and attract large attendance II the
weather Is suitable for playing.
Much has been said in the local
press az to the fans showing enthusi-
asm and encoura cling the team in the /
early tages of the game. This
should be done. but the failure OF the !
team to exhibit any pepper or night
until the other team has gotten the
lead is partially respunsfbie for the
chilly condition In tbs stands
------------------------
Arrested For Speeding
NJ D: stons. twsnty-seveu years old. |
sriaSaE m ef i local 81 t1ufubiis aksTcysi
40 exfss<ad lest l1[hk ~ RntroEnaaff