The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-28
.SCULLY SELLS IMPORTANCE OF
 LOCAL SPORTS
Ed Walsh, Rev. Thomas Shea, Razor" DOran
 Delight Diners
BY JOHN A. CLUNEY Sports Editor

Pointing out that their .job' oJ playing baseball in Waterbury next spring and summer was a necessary part of the national defense pro- gram in which the nation Is sub merged, Mayor Vincent A. ScuIly held the solid interest of more than 100 baseball players, managers, fans and invited guests last night at Mulligan'S restaurant, where the first mid-winter dinner of the CitJ Amateur league was held.
 Baseball Helps
 Asking his hearers not to IniSin- terpret his remarks, "as I am moi an alarmist", Mayor Scully stated that, with the local factories on three eight-hour shifts and chance of a seven-day working week ahead. he believed that City Amateur league baseball could do much to provide relaxation and en- joyment for WaterburianS who have an active and daily part in the na- tional defense program according to their work in the industrial plants of the city. '~The country is in 8 precarious position. said the mayor, but you can do your part in the national program by providing good baseball for thousands of fans who will visit our Municipal stadium and Hamilton park next spring and summer"
 Wants "Spitball"
 Ed Walsh of MeTiden, famous Chicago White Sox baseball pitcher whose speciality was the '.spitball de- livery" entertained those present for more than half hour with col- orful remineScenceS of his major league career. He decried the pres ent day use of the lively" ball, say- ing it was driving the fans away from the flreat American game, and that the science of the game has long since disappeared as well as art of pitching to heavy hitteTs, one of the disadvantages being the bar ring of the famous splitter" which the speaker said should be returned to the game. MT. Walsh was par ticularly interested in the manner in which the youngsters learned to play the game, advising them to play the game, advising them to watch big league players as often as possible.
 Rev. Thomas Shea, former City Amateur league player, now ate tached to an ArSonia parish, told of his efforts to promote baseball in the Copper City where he coaches a boys team, saying that the contacts he had made as play CT in Waterbury were most valuable to him and helped him get many others interested in the great sport of baseball.
 John A. C1uney, sports editor of the Waterbury Democrat, presided as toaStmaSter and introduced sev- eral other speakers, including Paul Razor" Doran, who advocated Chamber of Commerce backing for Waterbury,S entry in the national tournament at Youngstown, Ohio, next September. Other speakers in- cluded: Cliff McHale, former league officer; George Mulligan, ST., one of the greatest sandlot players deveI- oped in Waterbury; Umpire-in- Chief Bill Stanton; William J. Der win, assistant supervisor of recrea- tion in the park department; Johnny eDevito, manager of the pennant winning North End Thomas club: City Clerk Joseph Happy" Shea, another league vet eran; Umpire Al Kellie; Pres. Jo- seph Brophy: and William Hank" ODonnell, sports editor of The Re- publican.
 President Joseph L. Brophy of the league was confident that the mid- winter dinner was 8 complete Suc- cess and will be held annually. Na- tional league baseball movies were shown to those present after the conclusion of the speaking program.