BASEBALL ON SHOW

MARINE TEAMS MEET

PARK'S BIG SUNDAY CROWD

Tlic present generation in Wellington had Its first introduction yesterday to baseball, America** national game, which, was demonstrated at Athletic Park by two teams.drawn from the Marine Corps. The introduction was made en masse, a crowd of some 20,000 giving the ground its biggest filling since the pre-war football days. Bright sunshine, with a light southerly breeze, and a last turf completed a perfect setting. The game itself, which was between different marine units, was rather onesided, "National League" beating "American League" by 13-0 in a nino-innlngs match. The natr'i.otlu funds scored well, as the gate takings are expected to total just over £1000. Most, of the spectators probably came away with mixed feelings. All were agreed that they had had a most enjoyable afternoon, and were glad to have lent their support to a patriotic affair and also to have been associated with a show in which the_ popular marines were concerned. They had' also had full opportunity to satisfy their curiosity regarding the much-lalked-of "hall game." It was when people came to compare I America's flrst sporting love with their own favourites (particularly cricket) that impressions became varied. To many the complete absence of cricket's ordered dignity was something of a shock. To see players entering into disputes with the umpires (and frequently adopting threateuiug attitudes) was just as novel to the cricket follower as the spectacle of a player who nad been ruled out ainging his bat to the ground in disgust. As to performances on the field, the match did uot pretend to portray the game at its bwst. few of the players were of any particular eminence, and, naturally, were by no means in their best form owing to lack of practice. The flekl of the ball, whether in the air or on the ground, produced little that good cricketers could not have clotie, but the transfers from player to player in attempts to catch opponents away from their bases were exceedingly smart. The scores innings by innings were:— Innings 1 2 3 41 5 6 78 9 Tl. National League -5 51002000 13 American League 0 0 00000000 LOCAL COMPETITIONS. . 'Ucdiilis of games in the local baseball competitions on Saturday were:— International League.—Mlraniar Aces 10, Kilblrnio 3; Service Troops 13, 0.1'.T.s S: Broadway Demons 28. Webb's Gym. 20. Pacific League.—Melrose 13, Miramar 1 ; Broadway Demons 2S, Base Camp 0; Wadestowu beat Army S. and T. Women.—Jenkins A IS. Kilblrnie A 11; YVVC A. A 23, Melrose 19; Kilbimie B 10, Zemba's 9: Athletic 20, Y.W.C.A. 4; Keririers 15. Broadway Demons tl . , . I