The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-05

costly luxury. Expenses of
count up to a considerable amour
In Detroit the sandlot athletes
to run off their schedules smooth
In Washington nearly every team
is wondering if it will survive the
season or be choked off for want of
q place to play. Some of those
teams that were in the field last
year will be missing. Their dia.
monds are no more.
Fields were at a premium in 1922.
Two of the most popular diamonds
In the city last season have been
cut from the annually decreasing
list. Union Park, famous as a bat.
tleground of sandlot teams. and
Sixth and B street northwest, have
given way to building operations.
The sandIotters stand by help
less, sadly, while one after an
other of their diamonds passes
out. In another season, unless
land is held out by the Govern
ment for baseball parks, there
will be no place for the SandlOt-
ters TO play in the city proper
except in Potomac Park. The
municipal diamonds there are far
too few now to care for the de.
mand.
However, one ray of light filters
through the sandlotter's cloud The
Public Buildings and Grounds De.
partment plans to build a number
along the east side of the Anacostia
river. between the Pennsylvania
avenue and Eleventh street bridges.
For these the sandlotters would
be grateful, but the baseball hungry
would be tempted to ask for one
more crumb. They would ask
again, for the hundredth time or
more, for permission to take collec-
lions on Government-owned playing
fields.
They would ask once more that
the thousands who enjoy their games
as spectators be allowed to share
expenses.
Detroit, famed as a progressive
city. sees to it that its boys and
young men are encouraged in
every way to play baseball. The
outdoor game builds into strong
men lads who might be physical
weddings.
letters plead for collections on Gov
eminent basebalIfields. 1t is cry
in the wilderness.
But no one ever has given a sem
sible argument against granting the
eandlotters' request. Trivial reasons
have been presented by those who
might arrange it, if they cared.
An act of Congress that bans adj
mission charge to attractions on
Government lands or the taking of
collections thereon, is gotten around
in the handling OF Washington's pub
lie links and bathing beach and
everyone interested in sports is
happy that it can be done.
1t would appear that some sort
OF provision easily could be made
for the sandlOtters. Theirs Is not
a commercial proposition. For
the most part they desire money
to pay for their sport and for the
club activities. The fans are will
expansion of heaIthful athletic
ing to help.
They prove it by jingling cash into
the collection hat at games played
on fields other than those owned
by Uncle Sam.
To raise money for any city cause
in Washington is difficult no mat
ter what the need. and it might be
laughable to some to suggest that
the city do something for sandlot
baseball. Therefore, it is inter.
esting to note how progressive
Detroit regards the sandlotters from
the opposite angle.
Hear c. z. Brewer, commissioner
ENf
ment, discuss an item of $4,000 for
sandlot baseball included in his
budget made to the Detroit city
council:
The commission will have about
Sc, 900 to spend for amateur base
ball this season, if the council
approves the $500 item. We
have approximately $1.5O0 left
from last year to care for the
needs of amateur baseball until
July ], when the present alIOt-
ment will be available and that
will care for our needs nicely.
Judging from early indications of
the number Of leagues which will
be operating.
city championship and intercity
series will require about $4,000 of
the $4,000 and $1.750 of the balance
will go to defray the expenses OF
officials. The remaining $3.50 will
iee required for miscellaneous ex-
penses.
1.-The 81 500 whicyh we have left
from last years budget will be
needed to defray all expenses until
July 1. when the fiscal year be-
gins.
The baseball Commission will
control the expenditures and try
to render financial aid to the va
rious leagues Of the city. when
necessary"
AZTEC BASEBALL TEAM