Evening star., 1927-11-20

wv young ball players along the
i Atlantic seaboard, while she
is also manager of the Ana.
costa Eagles, a nine which won the
junior championship of the District of
Columbia Sandlot League for 1927.
Under the direction of Mrs. O'Don-
nell, the Eagles won all their league
games, a total of 10 straight victories.
Only once during the last season were
they defeated. and that was when
they stepped out of their class to play
an unlimited nine from Baltimore
whose batting list contained several
| former college players.
This is not the first case on the
base ball records Of the United States
where one of the fair sex has guided
| the destinies of diamond crew. 1t Is
outstanding, however, in the remark
able success which this lady manager
has achieved. She steered a second.
division team into the championship
class by developing team play, con.
slant aggressiveness and courageous
morale among her schoolboy players.
Mrs. O'Donnell, during the dawn
days of last Spring, had no more idea
Of playing an active part In the Wash.
ington junior base ball campaign than
Of taking out license as a profes-
sional aviatrix. She was interested in
base ball solely because her son was
so enthusiastic about Americas ma.
tional game.
Young O'Donnells chums and
"buddies," all of whom play on the
Anacostia nine, formed the habit Of
dropping in informally at his homo
before and after games and whenever
they had practice sessions. Fairlawn.
the municipal field where they played
their home games, was only couple
Of blocks away.
why under the SUM-" said Mrs.
O'Donnell one day to group of the
boys assembled on her porch. don't
you all get the same color uniforms
and try to keep them neat and clean?
You boys must look like a crazy quilt
out on the field, for there are no two
of you with the same kind Of suits. -
she continued as she inspected their
variegated costumes.
Maybe If we had a manager like
you, Mrs. O'Donnell. we might get
somewhere" replied one of the youths.
"Bucky, that's prize idea" cried
another of the lads. "How about it,
Mrs. O'Donnell. won't you take charge
of our team this season and see what
you can make of IT."
'My goodness. boys. what a silly no.
tion!" answered Mrs. O'Donnell as she
piled her broom vigorously. II don't
know ths first thing about base ball.
You fellows need man to make you
toe the mark and play The game"
"No, Mrs. O'Donnell. we want you,'
chorused the eager l;ds, who knew
full well that this particular lady
made "go" Of whatsoever she at.
tempted.
1t took several days o. coaxings and
entreaties before BILLY" ODonnell's
mother would even entertain the idea
of managing a Junior base ball nine.
Eventually, all her objections were
overruled In order to keep peace in
her family as we'll as in the suburban
neighborhood where she resided. she
finally capitulated and agreed to act
as the first woman manager of a base
ball nine in the history of the District
of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.
"If I'm going to be your leader
said Mrs. O'Donnell at the first meet
ing of the Anacostia Eagles at her
home, "this club when on the field Is
going to look like something besides
athletic tramps. You boys need new
uniforms and we must scheme ana
plan together so that we can get them
and pay for the suits when de-
livered."
as we'll as the base ball equipment
needed for the seasons play. May /.
with the Washington thermometer
gradually approaching the tempera.
ture of satisfactory base ball weather.
found the Eagles just 1915 in debt and
with a treasury as empty as the basin
of a salt lake from which all the water
has evaporated.
Wen have to give several public
dances and earn some money" said
Business Manager O'Donnell TO her
charges. This was done forthwith.
and because of the home-spirit inter.
est in the lady-managed nine aroused
in Anacostia. these entertainments
were bowling successes 49, or rather.
plenty Of agile footwork was displayed
and none of those who attended the
dances carried complimentary tickets.
The ball suits and supplies were paid
fnr and nv fha ,ai6dla of GUNNER a