Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-05-14
~
from the
Democrats Pen
from the

Well, Sir, 'tWont De long Ao"' 0ooi
the crack of the bat will be hearo
against the householder some otner
hide-and the PUNK of the sphere into
a catcher's glove will be sweet music
in the ear of crazy diamond fans.
Cheers-or groans-will go up from
the stands: every mothers son In the
seats will think himself able to give
the umpire points on how to "see en-
and every player will be cheered in
one second, and "booed" in the next;
the crowd will go home after win,
stamping the boys as big league ma
terial: after loss, they couldn't find
a lob on the sand lots-that's base
ball, and the players must learn to
take it as it comes.
And speaking of base ball, l wonder
if any of you people are old enough
to recall the days of the Red Stock
ings, of the Eastern Shore of Virgin
ia, and the lessons Pocomoke used to
give them in season comprising a
one-game schedule. Do any of you re-
call Paul Dashiell, Allen Foster, Ed
gar Tenant, the Hawke Brothers, Os
Jones, Johnnie Ensor and some locals,
such as, Will King, Marion Clarke,
Doc Freeman, Will Stevens, Harry
Whyte-and lots of others.
Those "Red Socks" were lambasting
the tar out of everything they met,
until they stacked up against Paul
Dashiell's smoke ball whizzing to the
home plate with just enough break
in it to be battling. Little Edgar
Tenant, one of the classiest catcher's
ever to come out of the amateur ranks
in Baltimore, took everything Paul
had in his repertoire, and then some.
He was only about 5 feet inches tall,
weighed about 127 pounds, but he
was made up of wire grass, oak splits,
and pan handles, and when ball got
by him, it was out of the reach of
the law of gravitation, and was never
heard of any more -~-.- ,-
And there was Pitcher Hawke, with
one of the quickest sinkers you ever
saw; same as a fly when you want
to catch him in your hand. He went
to the big time, but that break soon
broke his arm and he went to the
sticks.
And does anybody recall that ia
nous battery, Strike and GrauL
from Chester, Pa. Those same "Red
Socks" hired 'em for a game against
Pocomoke, and on the day of the bat
tie, had 'em to "warm up" outside the
grounds and trotted 'em out just as
the umpire yelled "play ball." just in
time for him to announce the pitch
ing and catching" force. 'Twan't no
use. Dashiell and Foster were on
their metal that day, and the "Red
Stockings" of Virginia went home
sort of saffron in color. The only
year they beat US was when they i'm
ported a whole team from the moth
Kentry" to come here, and then the
margin was a single run.
BY the way, saw Paul Dashiell not
many months ago. I regretted to find
him much of an invalid. He is vic
tim of arthritis, and / could not help
but think of the days when he was
an athlete, trained in football, base
ball, and other sports; fine specimen
of manhood; a lover of fair and
open contests; played the game hard,
but always with a view to his oppo-
nent's rights; an authority on athletics
and rare specimen of a man, no
matter how he was approached.
But, as i'll health has gripped him,
he is well supplied with necessary
comforts, and has all the opportunity
he needs to temper his sufferings
with treatment from those adequately
able to administer relief. Here's hop
ing he may find way out of his all
ments and be restored to health and
strength.
Well, boys, to go back to the "be-
gincement", of this article, Pocomoke
is in the, procession of Class D. Base
Ball; let's see to it that she keeps
step with the other marchers, and
just as near to the front as possible.
And some of these times, when a
player muffs a high fly out in left,
center, or right gardens, don't accuse
him of malice aforethought but pat
him on the back and wish him better
luck next time. 1t will help a lot
JaraJe ,,,;sb;nc. o1I Az bo,,. Al LaaA