Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

Of June next, and It was understood that The
National Club accepted the challenge, which
gave only - hours notice 10 prepare IA. more
to get the nrSt-WardeTs m good play for the
coming match with Baltimore than to exhibit
its own SKIN. The Capitol Hill Club has only
been organized lately. and Is composed Of
novices. while the Potomac Club has in It's
ranks several hrst-rate performers, who under
stand the game perfectly and have had much
practice"
THE writer, anxious, Of course, TO find how
the game made out and knowing The Stars
Sunday audience would be IS equally interested,
turned over the pages until he came to June 2,
1860, and there ne found the result, 40 to "A,
the Nationals being on the short end and the
Excelsiors Of Baltimore the victors. Here 10
The Stars report Of the game:
THE friendly match between the Potomac
Base Ball Club Of this city and the Excelsior
Club Of Baltimore came of on the grounds
south of the Presidents Mansion yesterday
afternoon. Quite number Of visitors were
present and witnessed the sport and were highly
pleased with the game throughout, the opposing
clubs bearing their defeats with the most perfect
equanimity. The Excelsior came out winner
at the close Of the game. At night they par
took of rich entertainment prepared for them
by Gunther at the order Of the Potomac Club.
We understand the Baltimore club made 40
runs to "A by the Washington club" (The city
directory gives Gunther as the barkeeper at the
Ebbitt so one might imagine the nature Of
the refreshments)
Evidently the base ball season was about
long then as 1t Is at present, for on September
IL of the same year we find two local teams
the Nationals and the Potomacs- bats.
The Star, always interested in local matters,
grew rather enthusiastic in its account Of the
forthcoming game as published on September
0f re
make a prediction which time has fulfilled to
the fullest-and base ball Is, and probably
always will be, the American national game"
COME folks also seem to think that the at
y tention given by the ladies to the game is
q matter Of recent years, but the account which
follows shows this to be far from the case, since
from the very beginning members Of the fair
sex have been enthusiastic rooters whenever it
was known that two good clubs would meet,
and for verihcation We sumbit what The Star
said September 8. 1860:
1--WE are much pleased to see that this manly
sport, until lately confined to the North and
East, Is beginning to be duly appreciated in
our Southern cities. Combining grace, quick
ness and strength In the requisites for a good
player, 1t gives an amount Of open-air exercise
that can be obtained IN no other game that
we know Of, and in a community where the
large majority Of the young men lead so
sedentary lives, as in Washington, It has long
been desideratum. Last Spring the Potomac
Club-which Is the pioneer organization Of the
South-played several interesting and closely
contested matches which gave q great impulse
to the game, and now we have here three thor
ouglaly organized clubs-the Potomac, Nationals
and Pythians-beside Q host Of minor organi-
cations. On Tuesday next the Potomacs again
try their skin against the National Club. We
are informed by amateurs that these clubs are
both in fine playing condition and were never
more evenly matched than now, and We advise
all anxious to see q closely fought and exciting