The Washington herald., 1916-07-23
Heralds All-Star Amateur Mines
Exceptionally Classy Combinations
Kelly, Vernstein, Downey and
Henderson Are the Pitch
ers Named for Honors.
HITTING STRENGTH GREAT
By JOHN A. DUGAN.

In the rush down the last furlong for
the local amateur ball teams In all
but one instance most Of the clubs in the
six leagues which will play for the Dis
trict amateur title are well punched
Heretofore at this time OF the season
or guessing the probable candidate to
carry the slogan of "On to Richmond"
but It Is not so this year.
Although none Of the amateur leagues
can boast Of a great deal of prosperity
this season, and a great number Of for
feits have been In evidence in the various
leagues since last May. the District fans
this season are enjoying some OF the hot
test league races in the history Of or
ganized baseball here.
Many OF the fans are naming the prob
able winners Of the title, but after a
close observation. It appears that It Is
real game OF guessing this time, as the
teams which are IN the thick Of the
pennant fight In various leagues all have
3 chance for the honors.
As the teams near the championship
battles the fans always look for the
naming OF aIl-star combinations. The two
teams named on The Washington Her
AIDS an-star mines this season are made
up OF the cream OF local talent, and
would give any class B, c or D minor
league ball club great battle for hon.
ors- 1t Is to be understood that the usual
kick or comeback is to be forthcoming
against the makeup OF these two mines,
but from the individual ability Of each
player named. with the necessary team
work, It Is a tough Job for any fan or
manager to ind any more class in the
local ranks than are gathered on these
clubs.
It has been proven time and again to
the followers OF the sandlot game that
20, Nj ~
amateur ball club and the quartet OF
slabmen named on the first team cannot
be beaten. ''F'inney'' Kelly, OF the Steel
Plant and Rosedale clubs, Is enjoying
the best season Of his career, while
Rooney Vernstein, OF the Rosedalers,
has been meeting with great deal Of
success this year. These huriers appear
TO be the best righthanders in the league
ranks, while Lefty Downey, OF the
Treasury club, and Lefty Henderson,
OF the Steel Plant nine, are without q
doubt the best southpaws IN amateur
ball
The veteran Forest Thompson is doing
a real comeback out IN the Railroad
League, while little Jerry Nops, with
the Treasury club, is carrying the brunt
OF the burden for the Government
Leaguers- Two newcomers in local
ranks this year have cut quite figure al
though they are members OF losing COM
( btnations. These are Brewer, OF the
Marine team, famed for his no-hit game
! against the Commerce, and Bennett. Of
the Printers team, OF the Government
League These slabmen have pitched
great ball this season and deserve a
great deal Of consideration IN the naming
OF all-star hurlers.
Hammer and Payne, Of the Bureau
team; Rector, OF the Keller club, and
Mitchell and Ruhnert, OF the Machinists
team, deserve more than ordinary men
ton, as they have twirled good ball all
year, but they have not been as con-
sistent as the aforementioned players.
Four Of the best catchers ever seen In
amateur ranks are doing the bulk Of re-
ceiving for a quartet OF clubs. Giovan-
nett, Of the Machinists club, still ranks
at the top OF the local crowd Of receiv-
ers. He is a steady and consistent all
round catcher and is a valuable player
TO any ball club. Bus Hager, Of the Bu-
reau club, Is the hitting demon among
the receivers this season, and Is given
even honors with 'Givvy'' because of
his deadly work with the war club
Joe Geible, Of the Holy Name Club
is a veteran Of the minor leagues,
and is given second honors GeibIe
Is a trtfle weak with the stick, but
consistent performer with the pad
and mitt Strait, Of the Treasury club.
is easily the next best Of the field, as