-A-pril 1C). THE SFOllTINQ

BASE BALL.JOHNWARDWSSIYETHE BROTHERHOOD LEADER EXPLAINS

AND PROTESTS.

Facts About the Recent Players' League Meeting-A Protest

Against Misrepresentation.BROOKLYN. April 14. Editor SPORTING

LIFE: The time to which all ball tosserslook forward with joyful anticipation has atlast, arrived. Legal quibbles have all been

- settled, the personnel of the various teamsdefinitely fixed, and the real contests thatwarm all our hearts have at lust begun. Butbefore plunging finally into the maelstrommay I be permitted a few rambling remarks?

THE PICKETT CASK.And first, as to the recent meeting of the

Players' League. Perhaps the most import­ ant question presented there was as to the position we should take in the case of Pickett. It appeared from the affidavit of the player, borne out by the copies of his letters as for­ warded by the Kansas City Club, that Piek­ ett hud signed an American Association con-

~~ tract with the Kansas City Club; that he had received certain advance money, and that he had by inference consented to the withdrawal of the Kansas City Club from the American Association and its admission to the Western Association. But it also appeared that he had so consented under the im­ pression that. Kansas City would retain her best players and that he, as captain, would l>e able to make a strongfight for first honors in the Western League. His letters showed that he objected to tlie club's course in selling oil its best men and protested strongly ag«ii>st the move. And. finally, when the manager of a National League club came to him asking his terms and assuring him that he was offered for sale by the Kansas City Club he con­ cluded that his obligations to that club were :it an end, and preferring the Players' League to the National -League and believing that the Kansas City Club had no legal claim upon him, he signed with Philadelphia. X There was a long discussion over the mat­ ter and the final vote was five for allowing the Philadelphia Club to retain his services to three against it. The clubs voting in the negative explained that they did 'so not because they believed Kansas City had the slightest legal claim ou the player, but solely because they did not think the Players' League should abet the violation of even the semblance of a contract. I am sure the sentiment which influenced the ma­ jority of the clubs was a belief that to sur­ render Pickett to Kansas City would simply mean the turning over of a valuable player to be sold to some National League club. And as the latter organization has stopped at nothing short of murder to injure us, there was a strong feeling against throwing a good man into their ranks.

_ THE SCHEDULE. Next as to the schedule. The Schedule

Committee of the Players' League met some weeks before the National League meeting and agreed upon a schedule for the season. For obvious reasons the entire schedule was not published at that time, but a skeleton was given out so that the National League couk avoid conflicting dates if it wished. Instead, however, it went out of its way to conflict as often as possible, and under those circum­ stances I do not think we should be held re­ sponsible for any inconvenience the public may suitor. Surely we should not have been

vpectedto run away from a business rival ho has employed such methoJs against lisas

have th ' ' .ates. If we had been in­ spired 'if extermination we would Jit"' ti i nut the skeleton of our

..ugh

"No, we wauta monopoly of base ball; wemust be the only uiajor league and to that end we will crush this rival organization." Asplayers and men we could only accept the issue, am: I believe that of all the stupid mistakes the magnates Imve made this conflict of dates will prove for th^m the most costly.

MUTRIE'S BLUFF.One of the most amusing incidents of the

season thus far is Colonel Jeems Mutrie's bluff about playing the world's champions Colonel Mutrie is not the worst fellow in the world by a long shot, but he does like to heai himself talk. I think Ewing made a mistake tj pay the slightest attention to him. Even if such a game could be played I believe Cap­ tain Ewing would have some difficulty in per­ suading his self-respecting players to take purt in the contest. I know several of them who certainly would not.

THE BROOKLYN OPENING.The Brooklyns (P. L.) opened their new

home last Thursday, and the house-warming was attended by an unexpectedly large crowd Never before was a ball ground gotten undei way in the face of such ad verse circumstances Out of the last thirty working days, not over fifteen have been such that men could work out doors, and yet we were able to play our game. The first deck of the grand stand is completed, and a hundred men were at work laying the heavy timbers for the upper tier. The songs of the hammer and bat were blended throughout the game, but the spec­ tators were good-natured and seemed not at all disturbed.

Indeed, they seemed to enjoy the novel fctne, and when "Big Dave" Orr, in trying to place a hit to right field, almost picked a Iramer from the second story, evervone seemed very much amused. Before the opening game on the 25th everything will be in first- class shape and Brooklyn will have the finest ground and stand in the country. The game was very much one-sided, for it was the first iippearance of the "Five A's," and besides the Brooklyus put up a strong, errorless game.

CHADWICK'S ATTACKS RESENTED.In connection with our opening there was

jut one unpleasant incident. We have had occasion before to complain of unfair treat­ ment at the hands of Mr. Henry Chadwick, but recently and especially during the past week Mr. Chadwick seems to have outdone himself. In hi? notes in a local paper Thursday be tried in the most malicious manner to make the public believe that everything was wrong with our ground. According to him there could not be a game before Saturday, if then, because the slush and mud was ankle deep, the ground covered with ashes and cin­ ders, no walks to the grounds, etc., all of which was entirely and gratuitously false; as anyone who attended the game can testify* The grounds are soft, of course, and the dia­ mond is not yet sodded, but there was no mud, no cinders, and a good sidewalk was ready for pedestrians from the "L" station.

This is only a sample of what Mr. wick has been giving us every day. The Brooklyn Players' Club has not com^into Brooklyn as a beggar. It asks and only ex­ pects to stand upon its merits. However, it cannot but object to such maliciously unfair ratment as Mr. Chadwick has seen fit to ae-

rd it from the start. No one has greater re. .-l«;ct than myself for what Mr. Chudwiek has done for base ball, and it is painful to me to have to make this protest, but I feel it my duty in the interest of those whom his mis­ representations are injuring.

' ' ". I add my congratulations on the in size of THE SPORTING LIFE and :idid is*uc- lust week?

JOHN M. WARD.

< :t-»ri:n:.i ••. i-.ii i-prfonal Frofils.Speaking of the money that the Cleveland

Olul) made last summer, President Frank ]!obison made the statement one day last week that every cent of profit made by the

x'l uh was during the week of July 4. Prior to that time the club's receipts were greater than the expenditures, .but the surplus was

-ed in paying back the price of the Detroit '.iiehise. In the week of July 4 it seemed

THE BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS GRAND STAND OF THE PHILADELPHIA LEAGUE CLUB.

upon the Forest City. By a wonderfully good streak of luck the fight was at fever heat, Boston being only a few games ahead, and Cleveland crowding it hard for first place. The enormous attendance of all the Boston games just about represented Cleveland's profit for the season. Cleveland Leader.

Players' League News Notes.Now th'e real work begins.All the teams appear to be in good shape

for the long campaign now upon them.At St. Louis last Friday Captain Comiskey

\yas presented with an elegant diamond watch charm by his St. Louis friends. Delegate John Morliau made the presentation speech. The captain replied in a felicitous manner, and said he hoped to sec St. Louis in the Players' League at an early day.

* Frank Bancroft has arranged with the Brooklyns for a game in Springfield, Mass., with some of the Brotherhaod teams in June.

"Paul limes says he was ottered more money to play witli a Players' team than he is receiving from the Pittsburg National League Club." Philadelphia Times. Paul is simply trying to enhance his value to the Pittsburg people. He would to-day be in the Players' League if the latter had chosen to give Hines his price.

Within a stone ;s throw of the Brooklyn Players' League grounds anew hotel has been opened, and named "Brotherhood Hotel."

Secretary Brunei! has completed his sched­ ule of umpires and forwarded copies to these officials. They will be paired as follows: Barnes and Gaffney, Matthews and Gunning, Knight and Jones, Ferguson and Holbert.

For the excellent cut of the grand stand of the Brooklyn Players' Club in our last issue we were indebted to the New York 'Herald, in whose columns the picture fiVst appeared.

Murphy and Hayes, of Brooklyn, havebeeu dubbed the "eccentric battery."

Sporting Editor Diekinson, of the New York Wu-rld, thinks the tight for the Players' League championship will be between the ('hi.-- " ' y-.-vi York >;lulis,but ad- mils land, Pittsburg, Brook­ lyn i iy to upset everybody's calculation and capture the prize. George seems to have left the Phillies out of his cal­ culation altogether, which is just where he is likely to fool himself.

Impossible though it may s em, the deaf- mute Hoy is learning to talk. For some months Hoy has been working up systemati­ cally the nse of his vocal chords until now he daily surprises his companions by some new words.

The New York papers say that Bauer's second base playing is phenomenal. He cov­ ers a vast amount of territory, and very few liners get past him. Ward was in luck when he got him.

Manager Rowe says there isn't a really weak hitter in the entire lot of Buffalo players fifteen in all. In the hitting department is where Manager Jack expects to fool all com­ ers.

The bleachers at the new Pittsburg ground will not be covered until the end of the first series of games.

Dave Orr made the first hit on the new Brooklyn grounds.

The Brighton Athletic Club, of Brooklyn, has placed its handsome gymnasium and club house at the disposal of the Brooklyn Play­ ers' Club until their own rooms under the new grandstand at Atlantic Park were com­ pleted. This offer was gratefully accepted by Ward on behalf of the team.

Spectators by standing upon the seats of the south side bleachers at the New York Players' grounds can look over into the League ground*.

The name of the new Brooklyn grounds has been changed. There arc so many Atlantic parks in the City of Churches that the name was confusing, and the field will now be known as Eastern Park.

Although a heavy man, Joyce, of the Brooklyns,is a fast runner.

The Boston Herald has taken to saying kind words of the Brotherhood and good things of Mike Kelly. Really, the war must be drawing to a close.

Dick Johuston is laid up with a sprained ankle.

A Cincinnati lady has discovered that the Brotherhood is as old almost as the hills, for Peter in his first general epistle, second chapter and 17th verse, delivered himself of this exhortation: "Honor all men, love the brotherhood fear God, honor the king."

The refreshment privilege at the New York groi ;ds was sold for $4.~>Q.

The veteran player John Manning, ground- tkeeper of the Boston Players' Club, is only 34 years old. His very gray hair makes him look older.

The Chicago and Cleveland men were so set to play another Sunday game in St. Louis that only a threat of President McAlpin's resignation stopped them. That threat, how­ ever, settled the question peremptorily and decisively.

Fred Long, treasurer of the Boston Players' League Club, acted in a like position for the League team back in the 70s. In the old days he used to have to climb up the stairs of- the five morning newspapers every night and write out a different story of the ball game for each one. It would be grudgingly received, always "carved" down to a* few Hues as pos­ sible, or thrown out entirely. Now there is no department of a wide-awakedaily to which

compared with McKeau's will be of interest to the cranks this season.

Keefe's fellow-players say tlmt they never knew him to be in such good pitching shape so early in the season before.

The old League has the advantage of good grounds to start with this spring, as the Players' League will find the 19th of April rather early to get their grounds in good con­ dition. This may make some difference in the playing at the start.

Paul Cook says Ward is the best manager he ever played for.

About IS) yards of sod were stolen from the Cleveland Brotherhood Park one night about a week ago.

In speaking of the bad defeat the Five A's :i ! lined at the hands of the Brook­

lyn and New York teams, the World remarks: "A Pittsburg poet in weird verse once intimated that an elephant was not

made so sit in a tree and sing, and according to the same light it is possible that an actor was not meant to dally with the festive base ball in the light anil airy fashion which marks the play of those to the manner born and to the ball field educated."

The Philadelphia team played at Danville, Pa., April 14. and beat the local team 8 to 0. Buffiutoii did the pitching for the Brother­ hood team.

Andrews has engaged a house in Brooklyn close to Eastern Park. What will become of Ed's pretty Moore's Station residence now?

Anson used poor judgment in speaking of f'1(-; Player's League teams collectively as stifts," especially considering that Anson

himself is no kid. Anson should leave that sort of language to younger and less prudent men.

The Cleveland League team attributes its defeats at Denver to a "home umpire" deal which Manager Dave Rowe sprung upon them. Rowe, they say. is a red-hot Brother­ hood man, and was determined that Cleve­ land shouldn't get a game if he could help it.

Deacon White is becoming real frivolous. He now rides a bicycle.

The Pittsburg Dispatch says: "Some queer incidents are developing in connection with the opening day of the rival base ball clubs on next Saturday. PittsBurg liverymen boast of but twelve,open carriages. The National League club stepped in and engaged ten for the occasion. A delegation of members of the Pittsburg Petroleum Exchange intend to turn out with the Players' League club, and they will be among the disappointed, for un­ less more are secured the two remaining vehicles will be used by the players."

While practicing before the game in Low- ell last Tuesday Joe Quinn. of the Boston P. L. Club, had his nose broken by a thrown ball.

In New York's Brotherhood Park there will be four turnstiles. On the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh street side Superintendent Farriugton's business and private office will be located.

The Quiucy team had a funny experience at St. Louis Saturday. When they left their hotel they ordered the driver to drive to the base ball park. The driver followed instruc­ tions, and drove the Quincy men to Brother­ hood Park where they arrived about 3:30 o'clock. They were stopped at the gate a moment and then allowed to enter. When they discovered their mistake they made double-quick time to Sportsman's Park.

'Tis said that the Boston League Club has given out over 2000 free tickets for Saturday's opening'game.

The Brooklyn Club is scheduled to play with Boston in Brooklyn June 19 and the next day is to play in Chicago. How can the jump be made in one day?

The Boston Club claims to have already made enough money in the exhibition games to pay for the new grounds.

The New York Club has signed a Fishkill player named Kinslow, whom Manager Ewing considers one of the most promising' players he has ever seen.

Arthur Irwin has been elected a director of the Boston Players' Club, vice Bennett, skipped.

On account of the strike of carpenters the Chicago Players' League grounds are in bad shape. All work at the Windy City has ceased, and Secretary Brunell appealed in vain ou Saturday for the union to help them out.

A canvass of the Massachusetts House of Representatives shows that out of 106 mem­ bers 100 were for the Brotherhood and six for the League.

Bill Brown, of the New Yorks, did not re­ port in New York until last Monday.

The Cleveland Club will issue no season tickets.

The Boston Players' team will be in New York when De Wolf Hopper appears for the first time in his new play. Captain Kelly called on the new star Saturday and ordered twenty of the best seats in the house for the Brotherhood team on that night.

Hopper, Engel, Dixwell are all great very great base ball and Brotherhood cranks, but the greatest of al 1. by common consent, is Edward Everett Bell.

Charlie Mason has a fresh grievance against the New York Club, as instead of getting two games in New York with the Giants, he got but one. Charlie isn't as enthusiastic as he was, and now thinks the business manage­ ment of at least one of the new clubs is not as good as it might be. *

The players of the various teams got their salaries on the 15th, whether it came in at the gates or not. The guarantee fund did not have to be tapped, either.

Johnny Troy, of the old Metropolitans, is practising witli "Buck" Ewing's men.

Col. Justus Thoruer, one of the backers of the Cincinnati Union Club in '84, is an en­ thusiastic Brotherhood man.

St.Louis has had more base ball this spring than ever before, and nearly all of the patron­ age has been drawn by the Brotherhood repre­ sentatives.

There was some talk of a transfer of catcher Hurley from Pittsburg to Cleveland, but the deal has fallen through. Hurley was willing to change, but Johnson backed out, he now having another catcher in view.

The Boston team visited Fitchburg, Mass., on Monday last and were formally welcomed by Mayor Hoyden, after an enthusiastic reception at trje depot by a great crowd.

SPORTING LIFE will be mailed post paid to any address in the United States and ('auada one year for $4.00, six .months for '.'"' '" ''tree mouths for $1.25.

HUB HAPPENINGS.The Showing of the Youngsters—The Work

of the Local Leagues — Faith in the l*layers' League—Arthur Irwin's Position —His Relations With Hewitt Explained,Etc.BOSTON, April 16. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

Did you notice how the phenomenal young­ sters filled the predictions during the last few days?

A young man cannot become a great ball player no more than he can become a violin player if he lacks the proper ingredients. The simple fact that some League club has signed a youngster is no guarantee that he will fill the shoes of the old players who have left. Oh, no. You can put it down for a fact that there is less than one hundred men in the country to-day in the front rank, and that too with the game in full black nearly a score of years.

FAITH IN THE PLAYERS' LEAGUE.One reason I have faith in the Players'

League to make a great success is in the fact that they have the men who have been tried and found equal to the emergencies. The wretched showing made by the League clubs against the outsiders must be very discour­ aging to their friends. Think of our proud Boston Beauties suffering three defeats out- of four games at the hands of Billy Baruie's brand new club, and that, too, with our own John Clarkson in the box. John assured me before they left that the team would surely be in it, and, judging from the work of the past few days, John was right.

I see that Brother Stevens blames the um­ pires at Baltimore, and yet the Baltimore pa­ pers claim that the Bostons have been clearly outplayed and say that the reports Stevens is sending home are anything but correct.

I suppose I would be getting the same dose if I was along. Brother William Kenuy is with the boys as a special correspondent of the Bostoa Globe. Wilihutt is an old base ball writer, and one of the finest newspaper men in the land. His stories can always be relied upon. As the trip was somewhat in the nature of a pleasure outing for Mr. Kenny, I am disappointed to think the team has not given him any opportunity to write of tbern as the coming champions.

Don't fail to forget one thing, however; Frank Selee is a hustler, and if let severely alone by the directors, will have the team doing good work before long. I don't know a manager who will go further to get a good man than Frank.

I see that Stevens called down my state­ ment in last week's SPORTING LIFE about Nichols and Hardie not showing any great ability in the practice work around Boston. While these men are no doubt good ball players, I merely wrote what I had heard from.parties who had watched their work. I never had the pleasure of seeing Nichols, but feel certain from what I can learn from Selee and players who were in the Western League last season that he is a crack Jack in the box.

I mean to give the new men a fair show and think there is some fine material. As I said some time ago, however, I don't know a man in the Boston Club to-day who can see through the fine points of team work. Gan/el longs to go back to his old place behind the bat, where I think the team is weak. Char­ ley Bennett is not going to throw a ball hard for several weeks yet; lie knows the value of a good arm, and is constantly in fear of lam­ ing up during the early part of tho season.

The Brotherhood boys here are anxious to see how Clarkson gets off this season. "He will try to win every game he pitches in this season," writes the correspondent with the club. He may try, but will he succeed?

ARTHUR IRWIN'S POSITION.It was amusing to read my old friend Lar-

ner's screed in THE SPORTING LIFE last week: "If Arthur Irwin remained with Hewitt he could now pose as an Atlantic As­ sociation manager and have a better sale for his glove in place of being booked for the bench with the Brotherhood Club of Boston."

Well, Bob, I never had you down as a funny man, but the above is good enough for O. P. Caylor.

When Irwin read it he laughed and said: "There, that is some of Stevens' work, he is continually trying to hurt me. I guess if Larner would call ou Walter .Hewitt he would find out that my relations with the club were honorable. After some time the Washington Club bought my release. After letting Xlor- rill go they insisted on my taking the man­ agement. For four weeks I refused to have anything to do with the club's affairs as I knew the move that was under way and didn 't care to make an enemy of Mr. Hewitt. Finally I took the position to help him out. I explained all to Walter at the first League meeting in New York. Mr. Hewitt asked whv I didn't let him know of the movement, and I asked him if he wanted to know the Brotherhood's secrets. He said that he didn't. I informed him that the constitution and by­ laws of the Brotherhood were open for his inspection, but to give away the only secret they ever had I could not do. Mr. Hewitt saw the position I was placed in and went right in and took my name off of the reserve list. I

"As to the sale of my gloves. Why I have so l|l ;«0,<li:0 worth of goods this season, more business than ever and increasing every day. I know where I stand now and find it the best thing possible for me that I came where j I did. So much for Mr. Larner's sympathy."

Now then, as to Mr. Irwin's position on the I Boston team, I think my judgment will go as far as that of Brother Stevens. Irwin is in better condition to-day than I have seen him | for several years. As a player he has few equals in his position at short, when head- j work and laying for the different batsmen i are concerned. He has already made Quinn's j second base play 20 per cent, stronger than it ! was last year. Arthur Irwin knows thegamc j of ball and how to get the best results, lie is on the team to stay, and every member of the i team is delighted to think he is here. Last week lie was elected by the players to take Charley Bcimett's place on the board of direc­ tors. In signing Stovey and Kilroy Irwin did a piece of work that is only now fully ap- i preciated. Last Sunday I met him on the road driving out with his two lovely children, and I thoi'.y! i "' ' ' •-.: ' .iputhy for

this contented player living in his old dis­ trict, in his own handsome house, among friends and with the people. And to think of comparing this position with that of a man­ ager of a lot of kids in the Atlantic Associa­ tion! Bob, old man, sympathize with Walter Hewitt, one of the best fellows in the world, but Arthur Irwin has both money and brains and does not uetd the sympathy of a poor scribe.

STRAY LUMPS OF GINGER BREAD.The Boston League Club has sent out a

couple of thousand invitations for the open­ ing game. This is something new, but will no donbt make a fine showing in the grand pavilion, as with each invitation comes a reserve seat. This papering the house is an old business for the theatres but something new for the League.

The Players' League decided to give invi­ tations to the Ciovernment officials, aldermen, etc., but in most cases they have been re­ turned, as the parties said they would rather help the boys along.

During the last ten days the Players' League Club has been making money and friends by playing with local teams and dividing their own club up.

Captain Kelly has set a good example for his men and they are in fine condition, with the exception of Joe Quiun, who had IMS nose broken in practice before the game at Lowell last Tuesday on a ball thrown by Murphy. The plucky little second baseman was bound to be in the game and played the next ''-" : Fall River with his face covered yiV artistically pi 1 ' '- . ", . V. .- is head t ' town.

Mnnjii not n at a P tionr very the .

Tii.

muerrrjthe soda \\aiei su~

31IRS.^

SENSIBLE AND IP<

Manager Tom Lottos' Insti teresting A'iews on Va :

Manager Tom Loftus hu- in managing ball teams a structively as well as ^ tavorite subject of ball players, points of play and team management. Here are a few ideas recently gleaned from him:

CHANGING PITCHERS.Loftus, for instance, does not believe in

changing pitchers durjng a game. He always aims to put in the most effective pitcher at the start and keep him there the full nine in­ nings. "This thing of changing," said he the other day, "is liable to cause no end of trouble. The moment you take a pitcher ont of the box that moment you sho\v you do not believte in him. It has a bad effect. It will cause the twirler to lose confidence in him­ self. If he is at all sensitive he will grow nervous. It also has a bad effect on the men bijhiud him. Another thing that can be used as an argument against changes is the fact that a pitcher is generally handled rougher by the opposing batsmen at the start than at any other time. How often is a game lost in the first inning? Well, say you take out a pitcher in the middle of the game and substi­ tute another. The man you put in requires some time to get down to his best work, and he maybe hit hard enough to win the game right at the outset."

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST BASEMAN.Being asked what position in the infield he

regarded as most important Loftus said: "They are all important, and it is essential that all of them be filled by good players. There is one position which most people look upon as easy to fill, which to my mind is the keystone to the infield. 'Oh, anybody can play first base,'they say. Yes, anybody can piny it in a manner, but to play it right is an­ other matter. An ordinary ball player can stand on the bag and take balls that are thrown right into his pocket. That is not a first base­ man, however. The real genuine guardsman of the initial bag must be a remarkable catcher of thrown balls. He must be able to scoop them off the ground or jump high in the air. If he does not know how to handle wildly thrown balls, how quickly will his infield go to pieces.

"When a short stop and third baseman know they have a good mark to throw to they play winning ball. They go after every thing in sight, let the ball go without thinking of an error, as they are confident that if it comes within the reach of the objective point, high, low or to either side, it will be an out. On the other hand, let a first baseman play poor ball and notice the difference. The other infielders know that unless they get it right in the first baseman's hands they will get an error. They then try to play carefully, and the conse­ quence is they make a mess of it. First base- men like Keilly, Comiskey,Tuckerand Foutz save many a bad throw by their ability to handle badly thrown balls."

PLUCK IN PLAY.

Loftus also has no use for weak-kneed play­ ers, known in base ball parlance as "quitters." Ou this point he says: "TJie Cinciuuatis have ti bad name as regards their staying qualities. We want uomrof that this season. I like good, game, hard fighters. It is all right to have hard losers, but it don't do to have hard losers while the game is in progress. Don't look sad and disconsolate while you are ou the bench. A prize fighter can not stop to wipe away the blood or to ascertain how badly he is injured while the fight is in progress. Neither can a ball player afford to get down in the mouth while the game is going on. Be a hard loser when you get in the club house.

"If a player cnmrs bnck to the bench growl' ing and grumbling because he has struck put or the umpire has givc-n fiim the worst of it I don't let him sit down and nurse his gloomy thoughts; I start him for the coaching pen right away. 'Get up there and make some noise and show them that you are in it,' I tell them. Keep the players jollied along with encouraging \yords, is my motto, and hold your indignation meeting after the game is

WASHINGTON WHISPERS.The New Washington Team Signed—Thf>

Flayers Individually Considered — A Promising Lot of Player*. Ktc.WASHINGTON, I). C., April 18. Editor

SPOUTING LIFE: It is about time for the readers of TIIF, SPORTING LIFE to learn something about the playing ability of the team that is to represent the Capital City in the Atlantic Association. The impression in growing here that Ted Sullivan bus collected a dozen players capable of holding their own with any combination in the class to which, they have been assigned. I do not know whether Ted Sullivan or Captain William Gleason is responsible for the extra amountof ginger that has been infused into the home team, but the fact remains that the few game* we have witnessed at Atlantic Park have been of the most interesting character. Some of the occupants of the grand stand declare that the present team is stronger than that of last season. I cannot go that far yet, but I have no hesitation in saying that Sullivan's colts put up the liveliest game of ball we have seen here since the Clevelands made their first appearance in Washington as a League club. There is not a lazy man in the club, and they all play as if they liked the sport. Such base-running, such batting and. such a general hustling for runs is a novelty to Washingtonians.

"A BENNY IN DISGUISE."

One of the greatest finds of the season is Hill, who is to play third base. He came here from Fort Worth as an "Unknown," and no one appeared to have any idea of what he was fit for. In a few days after he commenced practice Ted Sullivan was struck by the easy and graceful manner in which he executed apparently the most difficult plays. The at­ tention of others was also attracted by the cleverness in every department of the game displayed by the "Unknown," and it did not take an experienced person long to determine that he has nearly all of the qualifications which go to make up a superior ball player. He is tall, well-developed and his actions are free and easy. He goes down for ground balls in a manner that challenges admiration, and it is a treat to watch him line the ball over to first base. I have not had an opportunity to see him go up against any of the crack pitchers but he has had no trouble in touch­ ing up those who have appeared here in the most lively style. The beauty of his work is that he throws his whole heart into the game, and yet there is nothing to indicate that he U suflering from an attack of "swell head."

THREE OF A KIND.The more I see of our outfield Jordon

Bader and Bird the better I like them. Bird is naturally a catcher but owing to his abil­ ity as a batsman and a base-runner he is apt to be stationed permanently in the right gar­ den. His services are needed in every game. If there are three better all-round men in the Atlantic Association than the Washington trio I will not fail to chronicle the fact when they make their appearance here. Jordon, Bader and Bird are about the same build; athletic in form and quick in action. Jordon made a catch in the first Richmond game Monday that will hardly be equalled during the season.

A GREAT CATCH.He was playing well over towards the foul

line, when a long fly was hit to deep leftcentre. It seemed almost impossible for himto reach it before the ball struck the ground,as it was almost a line drive. With a burstof speed that would rival Dicky Johnson,Wilmot, Fogarty or any of the fleet-footedfielders in the major leagues, Jordon dashedforward to catch the ball. He bent forwardand caught the ball at arm's length a few feetfrom t|.«- crround. bin in doing so he lost his

upon his head andIIP sneed at which he

ic the groundirth, and lay:',uions ran to

to his feet,i cady to resume

1 y does the plaync of the most

.11 of 181H).

us would prob-:ie Gleason playis actions oneting blood of

In- stampers(int of snap and; truly wonder-im these many

. r. regular chat-. -MX, ami nis voice can be heard through-

"Ut the game. When he is not coaching his men at the bat. he is directing the movements of players in the field. He has a habit of coaching his pitcher that is calculated to dis­ concert an opposing batsman, but it is amus­ ing to the spectators just the same. "There is another wood-chopper" he will sing out a« the batsman makes an ineffectual attempt to bring his bat in contact with the speeding ball. "Keep him chopping," he continues to shout until the batsman is disposed of one way or the other. He has many original say­ ings and doings, and others which he prob­ ably borrows from "Arlie" Latham, the king of the coaching lines.

"PITCHERS AS is PITCHERS." After looking over Ted Sullivan's quar­

tette of pitchers, it must be admitted that the home team is not weak in the box; at least it does not so appear. Phillips, McCoy, Maloney and Mace are all strong, well-built young men, with plenty of speed, good com­ mand of the ball, and apparently familiar with the duties of their department. It is true they have not been put to a severe test as yet, and they have but little chance to dis­ play their science in the presence of the skilled batsmen they will meet when the championship season begins. Nevertheless they have impressed the local patrons with the idea that they are several notches above what John Linney calls "the Crocus pitcher," that has heretofore been so plentiful in this vicinity. Phillips has many qualifications to recommend him, and so have his colleagues.

WHISTLER AND O'BRIEN, stationed at first and second base respec­ tively, are showing up in splendid form. The former is an excellent marker for the in- fielders to fire at, besides he is wielding the wagon tongue in a manner that delights the bleachers and threatens to destroy the centre field fence. lie appears to have a little trouble with his throwing arm, hut that will probably pass away as the weather becomes warmer. O'Brien is the most active second baseman Washiugtou has ever claimed as itH own, excepting "faithful old Move-up-Joe Gerhardt." He plays the base for all it is worth, covers an immense amount of territory in that vicinity und is astonishing his fricndi by slugging the ball all over the lot.

THE CATCHER'S DEPARTMENT. "Happy" Jack Kiddle and Nicholas will

probably do the greater part of the eatchjj for the home team, and when Bird is need behind the bat Nicholas will be assigned to right field. Kiddle is already a great iavorite here and is the pony of the club. He is a clever little back stop and he is especially ac­ curate in his throwing to bases. Nicholas re­ ceives the delivery of any of the pitchers \\iiU equal success, and he promises to redeem ;t!l the pledges made for him by his friends in Evansville, Ind., where he played last year. He is quick and active behind the" but und plays all the points of the gnir.e like a vet­ eran. His only trouble seems to be in get­ ting the ball down to second in proper style. He gets the ball clean and lets it go quickly, but it falls short of the mark by several feet. He says he will have no trouble in the throw­ ing line as the season advances. Bird has played behind the bat in two or three games since his arrival here and he handles himseli like a veteran. He is an excellent thrower and his actions remind one of "that little giant," Tom Duly. If Bird can pun out any­ thing like Duly he will bu a valuable member of the Washington contingent.

R. M. LAKNEU.

Columbia's Team.The base ba.ll nine of Columbia Collega

this season will consist of the following .players: Pitchers,C.H.Schuer andC. Manar: catchers, E. Mo-Burney and (J. T. Smith; ii ; <; base, y, Crosby; second base, J. Waltlu i>; third base, J. KOMI or J. Herkenrath; short stop, J. Vincent: field. J. Sncdccker, "3. Me- '