Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1887 — THE NATIONAL GAME. [ARTICLE]

THE NATIONAL GAME.

Detroit Still Leading the Field in the Race far the League Pennant In the American Association St. Louis Has a Walk-over—Gossip of the Diamond. [CHICAGO COBBESPONDENCE.] Seven weeks of the League championship season have passed, and the prospects for a close, stubborn finish, which seemed so dim and unsatisfactory two weeks ago have been improved to an extent that has aroused an increased interest among lovers of the national game throughout the country. In the Association race, the walk-over which St. Louis will enjoy is so apparent that alt interest as to the result of the race has departed, and whatever doubt remains is the fight for second place between Brooklyn, Cincinnati, Louisville, and the Athletics, anyone of which teams stands a fair chance of capturing it. Chicago is now a good fifth in the League race, and pushing Philadelphia closely for the fourth place. Baldwin continues to show improvement in his pitching, and with any kind of support is certain to win a majority of the games in which he plays. Clarkson is in fine trim, too, but he has bad the misfortune the past week of losing two well-pitched games in the ninth inning by lucky scratch hitting of opposing batsmen; and costly errors by the infield. Flynn is still laid up with the split hand he received in the second Philadelphia game. The day before the plucky little pitcher left for Philadelphia he told a friend that he would pitch ball or ask for his release. He was tired of doing nothing, he said, and now that he was in good condition he would demand that he be given an opportunity to relieve Clarkson and Baldwin. When he reached Philadelphia Anson put the youngster into the field, and the first ball that tell outside the diamond split one of his hands, compelling him to leave the field. VAN HALTREN COMING. The fact that Van Haltren has at last written finally to President Spalding that he will come to Chicago will be received with satisfaction by admirers of the Chicago club everywhere. It has been reEorted that this famous left-handed pitcher as not been pitching under the new rules. This is not so. Van Haltren has been tried under both codes of pitching rules, and found to be very effective. Besides his strength as a pitcher, Van Haltren is an excellent fielder and batter, and very fleet between bases. He will be here in time to pitch against Mike Kelly and the Boston team. NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON. Last year it was the Philadelphia Club which played hob JwithNew York's chances for the pennant, and this year it is Washington that has succeeded in throwing a damper over the spirits of the Gothamites. It has been nip and tuck between the Washington and New York clubs ever since the season opened, and a hurried glance over the scores shows that the statesmen have had a “shade the best of it.” Of all the players who left the Chicago team Gore is the only qpe who has held his own as a batsman, fielder and base-runner. He is doing good work for the so-called “Giants,” and his averages at the end of the season promise to be very high. Big Roger Connor, like Anson, has begun to find the ball, he having made two threebase hits in Friday’s game with Washington. Keefe has distanced Welch aS a pitcher unde the new rules, and is winning a large share of the games. George is so erratic an*uncertain that it is doubtful if he will appear in the box many more times this year. As for the statesmen, they are playing uncertain ball. Whi'e it is not likely that they will creep above sixth place, they are certain to win just enough games to make themselves dangerous. Whimoy, who has pitched so effectively against the New-Yorkers, was pounded 'rather heavily in Friday’s game. The Washingtons have a promising twirler in young Gilman, and Shaw may be counted to worry the best of them. Pittsburg is playing a strong game for a nine so far down in the column. The club is dropping behind in its batting, and this fact, no doubt, explains its present position. Barkley is still too ill to play, and Carroll, the big* hitter Of the team, is seldom seen on the field. The loss of two such men has counted against the club. Dalrymple is still unable to find the ball. It is rather sad to see the ex-leader of National League batsmen and the present king of left fielders almost helpless with the club. There was a time when this great player made the opposing fielders scatter like quail when he hit the ball in the nose. But Dalrymple has lost his grip, and no one appreciates this fact more keenly than the left fielder himself. HOW THEY STAND. The following tables will show the work of the National League and Association teams up to Monday, June 13: THE LEAGUE.

J| co , (Hubs. fjM Sf 2|l | a «tela, © s, ?o Detroit li 1 4 2 3 5| 925 Boston. 2.. 1 8 2 3 5< 324 New York 2 2. 4 1 3 6| 321 Philadelphia 4 4.. 2 2 2 317 Chicago 3 1 2 2 .. 2 1! 5,115 Pittsburgh 1 1 1 1 4.. 1 4|13 Washington 1 1 6 .. 3 .. .. 1112 Indianapolis.., 1 1.. 3 2 I<. | 8 _Games lost 9 lljlGjltf 17|15 21|28[.. ASSOCIATION. l'l l -ll g miSio •< ft ft IU |Q pS ;w o Athletic— 1 2 rt 3 3 4 221 Baltimore 6 1 5 5 5 4 .. 26 Brooklyn 1 3 Cincinnati 2 3 3 7 1 4 222 Cleveland 1.. 2 1— 1 4'..| 9 Louisville 5 2 3’ 4i 8 3l 121 Metropolitan 112 3—129 St. Louis. 5 4 7i 2 4 6 634 ’ —— Games 105t20]13}19*22 30 21 29| 8 .. Con Cbegan.