AMERICAN BASEBALL TEAM.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 520, 8 December 1888, Page 13

AMERICAN BASEBALL TEAM.

' The following description of the American Baseball Team will no doubt be read with interest, now that the team is expected in Auckland in a day or two : — ~, . , . . Adrain C, Anson (captain of the Chicago s) is a player of the first water. He is a big, powerful fellow physically, standing 6ft 2in, and weighing 218 pounds, and is 31 years of age. He is admitted to be the best average batter of the League. A nson is a native of Marshalitown, la. Robert Pettit is a native of New ineland, and as a dashing, hard working outfielder has few equals. Pettit is a hard left-hand hitter, a good fielder, a remarkable base runner and a good allround man. Martin Sullivan is a Lowell boy, and made his reputation playing for the Boston Blues. James Ryan made his reputation quicker than most baseball players, and is known as the " brilliant little centre fielder ' of the Chicago team. Thomas Burns is one of the ' old guard ' of the Chicago Club. He claims New Britain, Conn., as his birthplace. He is a fine batsman, and one of the best third basemen in the League. Edward N. Williamson is credited with being one of tbe greatest shortstops and all-round ball players in the U.S. Fred N . Pf f-ff'er is a professional player, and is a second baseman, and has few equals. JohnK. Tener is a pitcher, and is cool, selfpossessed, and one of the best pitchers to be found. Thomas P. Daly is a back stop, and is said to be a grand man. Mark Baldwin has played with the Chicago team for two reasons past, and is one of the most effective pitchers in the League. John Montgomery Ward, of the New York team, is about one ot the best known prolessional players m America, lie was bum on March 3, 1860, at Belltioiiie, ta., and began his baseball career as a biudent at the Pennsylvania btate College, as a pitcher and third baseman. He was marr.ed on October 12, 1887, to Miss Helen Dauvray, the well-known actress, and purposes practising the legal profession after retiring from the baseb_.li field. Michael J. Kelly, of tbe Boston team, is wellknown. He was born in 'Iroy, JS .Y., in 1857. He is imment-elj popular, and as a baseball player has no superior. Edwara Hanlon, of the Detroit Team, is a native of New Eng. and. He is a good batsman, a great baberuimer,and one ot the best outfielders in the business. James G. k ogarty, of the Philadelphia Team, is a daring buserunner, a good batbman, ana can' play in any posit i on. Ired H. Carioil, of tl c Pittsburg Team, is a native ol Cal.li.mia, having been bom in feacramento July 2, 1864. He is a hard worker, and has caught bou.e of the swiliest pitchers of the League. Harry. H. Sin,pso_;, of the Newark Team, is an all round baseball, football and i ricket p.ayer. Mr J. uem-.il, td ihe JSew York team, has especially flis-H.gui.hea h.nufcelf a_- a batsman. George A. "Vv ,i d, o the Philadelphia team, is one ci tLt £i*t_.te__i ouiLei-iers ot the National League. "Vv cad is » l.ative ol Boston, where he was born in 1858 Be weighs lbO.b and is stt 10£ in in height. He is a bm-rute cricketer. JohnHtaiy, it the Indians poi>B team, ia looked uponin Auieiica as » ne <•} the puzz.ing pitchers. He is 23 y tar.- oi a{_t 6i i 3_n in height, and weighs 180ibs. He is agu at pitcher. James _b. Lom e .>, ol ti.e Washington team. Ib 23 year.- oio, s*t iUm tab, and weighs 1551b5. He is a good infielner. J. A. lioati-h (.be i,rofessional who will coach and have tLe team in cricket lor such games as they decide io p a, ; n. a right-hand bowle. , b eaks both ways With puzziu.g change oi pace and direotion. me __, a__>o a j^ou bat. as ht> average for the season, oi lfcßß wai show, having flayed twenty-four inning., with an average ot 17 runs per .innu.fr**-, winch, coiibidi ring the important matches, its won oi nui.-. Hia bowling average stands 186 ft_e..eis fur an average oi 4 runs per wicket. .-- . -

■ P I— There wiv; • ,; uig day at Putter's Pkddook next; Skit, ay,, t

— I understand the smart little yacht Malua is in the market for sale. —Great lack of interest shown in cricket this year. Wbat is the reason ? —Last Tuesday was entry night for the Auckland Bowing Association regatta. —The opinion of critics is that the Native team of footballers 'will beat more than beat them.' —Through the kindness of Mr Lynch, I have received a copy of the American baseball games. —The recently-formed Thames Bowing Club intends joining the Auokland Rowing Association. —Charlie Farquhar and young Cooke carried off the pair-oared race at the Tauranga Regatta. — The recently-formed Auckland Rowing Club have joined the New Zealand Rowing Association. — Gordon II look like getting a drubbing from St. Mary's C.C. They say the church is too strong for them. — Gordon ought to win the match against Parnell as lhe Parnell's only got 91, while Gordon has five wickets down for &5. — The Auckland Rowing Club now comprises a large ii umber of members, and some good club races are about to be held. — There is some talk among 'cyclists of holding a big road race at an early date. It is to take place near Lake Takapuna. — United made the hig score of 210 against Auckland on Saturday last. It will take the two blues all they know how to make the runs. — The Auckland Rowing Club has suffered a severe loss by the removal of R J. Hogg, their deputy-captain, from Auckland to Napier. — The weather last Saturday was extremely boisterous, and the Waiternata and Auckland Rowing Club were obliged to postpone their clubs races. „•...-. — By the steamer Tarawera the City Rowing Club are receiving a new set of sculls, made by Sullivan, of Sydney, for their new whaleboat, the Maxim. —By the incoming mail steamer the team of American baseball players are expected to arrive. They will play an exhibition match out at Potter's paddock. — Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, the celebrated premier of Queensland, is an enthusiastic yachtsman, and his yacht, the Harriet Ann, is the smartest in Brisbane. — I understand that Manukau intends sending a strons? crew for the champion whaleboat race at the next Auckland Regatta. There are three new men in the boat. — Tommy Neill, who left Gordon because he couldn't get a game with the first, came out on Saturday wn h the good of 37 out of Parnell's 91. He only gave one chance. —While out practising the other morning, Jimmy Dickson was unfortunate enough to injure his outrigger. Notwithstanding this he intends starting for the Scullers' Kace. —Young Elmsly is doing some ' tall' talk about his running since the sports, and it is said he is willing to make a match with any member of the club. It is to be hoped a match will be arranged. — Pritchard made a great catch in the Ponsonby v. Wanderers match laat Saturday, but didn't he come a cropper when Wilkinson cannoned into him. He thought a thunderbolt had struck him, I thould think. — Parnell C.C. have been reinforced by a wicket keeptr and a couple of young bowlers who have just come from Sydney. Une ot the "bowlers (a left hander) and the wicket keeper showed up very well on Saturday. What price steering a whaleboat ? Ask Ted O'Hare. He started to take a whaleboat crew over to see the Cup last Saturday and had to turn back half way. lhe boys say it would tave made a cat laugh to see Ted clinging on with his toenails. — Mr W. C. Lynch, advance agent of the American team of baseball players, arrived in Auckland from Sydney by the Zeaiandia on Moiiday morning. He has made ali the necessary arrangements lor playing a match at Potter's Paddock on Saturday next. —On Saturday night Albie Braund was the recipient ot a silver watch and chain presented by tbe members of thePontonby Football Club in rt cugnition of his good play in ' rep ' matches. Billy Hobson, winner of the half-mile handicap, also received a gold and silver medal. — Cricket languishes at the Thames, though there has been one or two scratch matches on cocoanut matting, or the Flat, in which Messrs Jordan, Aickm, Coney, Waite, Pearce, and Hinton have show good form with bat or bail, the first mentioned being especially successful. — E. F. Reddish, the English swimmer, on August 19 undertook to beat Captain Webb's Bwim in the lhames, of 19 miles and 2 furlongs in 4h 52min 44see, made July 3, 1875, from Blackpool to Graveseiid. He feave up the leat after going 18 miles 2 furlongs in 4h 44mm 34is.ec. — rDick Sandall aud bearle fought for the amateur championship of N.S.W 7 .. on Saturday last, and we are informed by cable that the fight ended in a draw in favour of our own Dick, this speaks well for Auckland, where some smart athletes have been turned uut,ar*d I am sure P.of . Carrollo will be well pleased with his clever pupil. — Captain Paul Boyton, the celebrated rubber suit voyager, who has given nautical exhibitions all over the world, and traversi d the principal rivers of Europe, as well as hav.ng crossed the English Channel, intends viaiting Australia shortly for the purpose of giving exhibitions in his rubber suit. Here will be a grand chance for the Parramatta sharks to ty their jaws at that fashionable pastime, chewing gam. i — Arthur Wharton, the coloured runner, • who won the Doncaster Handicap at. Sheffield, ( England, from the 77f yds mark, ran his distance. , I'da^y ds, in. his first trial ueat m 3yds over 12s^C, - and won his second trial easily in l__£aec. He won the fiual heat by 2yds. His bactters offered to ..match him against any man in the world to run 130 yds, level, to be ran in three weeks' time.

—The Thames people are to have a rowing club at last, thanks to the energy of Jack Poland and one or two others. It has been decided to call the club the Hauraki Rowing Club, and blue and white are the colours chosen. The eleotion of officers resulted as follows: Captain. M.J Poland • Vice-Captain, M. W. Payne; Hon. See., S Asher' and Treasurer, M. P. McGregor. The club now consists of 60 members. — John L. -Sullivan, at last advices, was improving slowly. He is still very weak, seldom rises from his couch, and then only for a few minutes at a time, and will hardly be able to be about in less than a fortnight, at least. He has had a very severe attack of typhoid fever, following his original attack of ga_?tric fever, which has left him little strength. When he is able to travel, it is probable that he will make a trip to the Southern states in quest of renewed health. —The recent five miles match between R. Howell and W. Wood proved a very hollow affair. The Shields lad waited upon the 'champion of champions ' until 50yds. from the tape, when he showed a splendid piece of riding and fairly romped by his opponent. The time, 16min. 344-5 sec, was slow, but this is accounted for by the, heavy state of the track and the rather unusual tactics adopted by Wood of making a waiting raoe of it. —The Auckland Rowing Association's annual regatta takes place on Saturday, Deo. 15th, and it promises tf> eclipse all its predecessors. Great preparations art heing made to ensure its success, and each club has a number of crews in active .raining, so that keen competition may be looked forward to. Tickets for admission to the flagship have already been printed, and, as the price is only one shilling, it is earnestly hoped that all lovers of sport will speculate, and thus give a filip to rowing in Auckland. — The City Rowing Club's string test is expected to arrive from Sydney hy the steamer Tai awera, on Tuesday next. She is reported to be a regular beauty, and is quite a new boat, haviug recently been built this year by Mr Donnelly, of W ooloomooloo Bay. She is an old prize-wii ncr, having won the race she was built for, and on Nov. 9th won a senior race at the Balmain Regatta. The purchase was negotiated by Mr "William Haslam (late of the City Rowing Club). A new set of sculls are also coming with the boat. . — A correspondent writing from Brisbane encloses a slip cut from The APeople, an English weekly, which runs as follows _ — ' In Australia, bearle, the coloured coming man, beat C. Neilsen on the Paramatta course, and landed co easily that his friends have challenged Hanlan on his behalf ior .£SOO aside.' As our correspondent says, ' Sporting papers in England evident y think that all Australian natives must be black.' In this connection it is also interesting to note that, accord, ing to the Sporting and Theatrical Journal a big regatta is to beheld at Rockhamption, New South Wales. — The Auckland Regatta Club has at last been placed on a sound basis, and it now only requires the co-operatii.n of citizens to make the next regatta an unprecedented success. For some time past there was a little doubt as to whether a regatta would be held or not, but this is not so any longer, and people can rest assured that one will be held on January 29th. A good, hardwoi king committee has been elected, and they have lost no time in setting to work, while promises of assistance are heard on every hand. — Dick Mathews, writing from Westport, says his second show on the coaßt was a big success, and that his broken hand is getting all right. The local pajer thus describes the set-to : — 'The boxing exhibition at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night a' tracted a crowded house. Mathews, although suffering from the effects of an injured hand, showed some scientific work in his sets-to with Burke and Smith ("The Infant"), and both of them cried enough in the third round. Boxing by amateurs made up a programme that returned the audience good value for their shillings.' — Bob Whiteside is still in Melbourne, but was seriously thinking of going on to Sydney. He is of opinion that the Victorian capital is a very much overrated place. He says that unless you are a hcsey man you are counted out. The first th-ng about the place, in his idea, is the cheap travelling, and he instances cases that would open the eyes of Aucklanders uft'-d to our railway system. As might he expected he went to the Cup, and expresses his surprise at the crowd there, but in one or two chavacteristies compares it very unfavourably with New Zealand crowds. De mentions having met any amount of Auckland boys, who are getting on well, and is staying at a boarding house with twelve of them, and they just do make things merry. Altogether he is full up of Melbourne, and is of opinion that ' you cannot beat that little place '—Auckland. — 'Drop Kick,' in tbe Heferee,in a review of the pest f otball season, says : — 'Jhe rank which Canteibury wouid probably take among* the pro\inces m New Zealand is, of course, a question open to considerable discussion. In my opinion, she would not occupy a very glorious or important place. Otago and Auckland certainly stand in front of her. and I think there is but little doubt that both Wellington and Taranaki would beat her. Possibly a contest between Canterbury and H awke's Bay would be a close thing, but even in a contest between the two provinces I should be inclined to favour the chances of the latter. No doubt many will disagree with this view, but, taking as a line the play of the various teams of the respective provinces, I can come to no oth>-r conclusion than that Canterbury would have finished a good last had a series of contests taken place last season— especially at the latter end of it. ■ — I have just heard a good suggestion made in connection with the Auckland Rowing Association, and which if carried into effect should place that body in a foremost position in athletes. The idea is that the Association should undertake the management of a sports meeting to be held in the Domain, and at which only members of some recognised rowing club could compt-te. As it i.-*, each olub arranges a series of running races for its members, and what is there to prevent the whole amalgamating and holding a capital afternoon's sport P Must of tho meiubeiM of the A. A. A. Club belong to some rowing club, so that some good racing would be assured, to say nothing of the assistance rowing would receive. For little moro than is at present paid, youn^ fellows could Inve a season's rowing and ree ivo the right to c >uipete in running and 'cycling races. We will shortly learn more of the scheme. .. — At an interview. I bad with Mr St. Clair, 3ec*etary v£ the jj Auck* aid Rowing Cab, that

gentleman warmly est*' Used the cause of Mb "ohitN over the question of seniority. He oonsidcaSa^ there was very little to be gained by 'jomiaKi^sp Auckland Rowing Association, and thquglfc >H6&. rather unfair that the club should be prejudgMui y the matter. When they wanted to join;- then it-; was time enough to got c'ito the whole qu«Bti«_4* and even then he was of opinion that the New Zealand Rowing. Association should act as a«bit£'7 rators and not the local association, the members:', of which were certainly biassed in their views.-? I ventured to point out the racing they would miss \ ; ? by holding aloof from the looal association, bnty Mr St. Clair replied that, overlooking the* club y. races, it cost very little to send crews to Welling- A ton via the West Coast, and judging by what ha '■' had seen he certainly thought the Auckland " Kowing Club would hold its own against tho ." Wellington men. 7^7" — While in Melbourne, Searle was presented to the public on the stage of the TheatW. Royalby Mr Chafes Warner, and reoeived hearfy applause. A Melbourne writer says of him ;— Searle is a splendidly built young fellow, his pro- , portions being superior even to those of Beach and Hanlan, and particularly suitable for vowing. '-, He has a deep full chest, affording him great lung room ; his back and loins are well and strongly formed, and his legs, though well developed,' ara: not out of proportion to the rest of his frame. Considering his roomy chest, Searle's arms are not bulky, and it is probably due to this fact that heutilises the power of his back and loins and legs""so well. Strong armed men generally row with their arms and neglect the use of the body, "whioh, gives them the greatest force. - Searle is a quiet and steady young fellow, and though he has gone ,"- through 4 or 5 months of hard training he looks as fresh and bright as possible. If he is careful of his health he should be able to hold the championship for some time. — In the forthcoming aquatic carnival to be held on the Brisbane river (says the Courier) j . it has been arranged to row the races from Humbug Beach, opposite Sir S. W. Griffith's residence, down Bulimba Reach to the Toombul Wharf. This place has been chosen for two reasons — it being considered the best three mile course on the river, and the committee proposing to charter several of the large A.U.S.N. Company's steamers to follow the races. The prizes offered (,£SOO, .£2OO, nnd .£100) will be the means of bringing together a galaxy of sculling talent that has never be^n s^een in one race before, for Searle, Beach, Hanlan, Kemp, Trickett, Stansbury, Matterson, and Neds-on have signified their intention of hay- '■ ing a try for the big money offered. The racing will extend over four days —the sth, 6th, 7th, and llth of December, and will be arranged in the manner proposed by Mr J. G. Deeble in his letter to the Bockhampton Bulletin. The names . will be placed in a hat, and three will be drawn, • taking their positions as drawn, and rowing off. The other men row together, taking their stations as drawn. These will be called tho trial heats. The winners of the trial heats stand out, and the five remaining, the ' five worst,' row the following * day, heat only. Next day the first and second men row with the winners, of the trial heats, this heat being the ' four best.' The first ahd second of the ' four best ' row a final heat for first and second prize, and the third and the fourth of the ' four best ' receive prizes according to their xespective positions. By this means it will. be seen that the race must be won upon its merits, and that every man will have as fair a chance as possible. — The Sydney Referee supplies the following interesting particulars of one of England's most noted pugulists: — ' Tom King, the ex-cham-pion pugulist of England, died at London, Eng- . land, on Oct. 5. Tom King was born in 1865. He was 6ft 2 inches high, and when trained for the ring he weighed 180 pounds. In his youth' he figured in many boxing exhibitions in London, and gained much reputation for pluck and science. His first big battle was vith Tom Truckle, in November, 1860. He either fought Truckle down 7 or threw him heavily in every round, and was de- ,"■' clared ttie victor in the forty-ninth round. In': King's first fight with Jem Mace, the. cbampion> . of England, he established his reputation as one of the greatest of pugilists, though he was beaten.,', The fight occurred on January 28, 1862, and it ; was for <£200 a-side, and the championship belt. Mace fought at 158 pounds. Both men displayed great science, and in the twentieth round it was * thought that King would wiD, as a terrific lefthand blow on Mace's jaw nearly knocked him out. He came to the scratch, however. For ten. , rounds more King appeared to have the beat of' the fighting. Then Mace turned the tables,* and* in the forty-second round ended a great battle hy throwing King with terrific force. King's head struck the ground, rendering him insensible. * - Kirn.; had shown great gameness, but he was *; thoroughly beaten. Mace, though terribly , --' punished, could have fought longer, while King y before tlie final fall was about used up. The *' battle lasted 1 hour and ß minutes. King lost n0..-', time in challenging Mace again, and the second \ battle was fought in the Home Circuit. London,.', on November 21, 18n2. This battle which" made, 7j King champion of England, may be said to have been won by a single blow. In the thirteenth round he gave Mace a terrific right-hander, which ■ . fell with a force of a battering* ram on the cham-. '--apion'a nose, left eye and chee*. He fell helplessly and there was no more fight in him. In the next round he was again floored by a lefthander on the nose, and in the next round King refused to strike him, merely pushing him down,/ . and Mace's seconds threw up the sponge. King* \ declined to fight Mace ay-am, and resigned the'"-? championship, but this did not prevent him ac- -f cepting John C. deenan's challenge, and. tlieir A great .£2,000 fight came off on December 10, 1868. ,? King whipped Heenan m twenty-five rounds, andyij at the end of the fight Haenan's head was about 7,, twice its natural size, and be was as helpless as a'= '• child. King then rested on his great laurels, \(.\ married the d'aughte? of a wealthy, shipowner, and . .. followed bookmakmg for many years with great".""' good luck. He was one of the wealthiest betting, 7 men in England outside tbe aristocracy. 'Hm.'?,-:, great ambition of late years has been to shine at/^ the flower shows, and the products of his. extijn-7y7 sive conservatory took many prizes. ' -.'-.yv*