Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1886 — BASE-BAIL. [ARTICLE]

BASE-BAIL.

Tbp Rare far the Championship of the Natfenal League and the American A*Mcfationi-Ya<t Crowds Attend the Opening Gamer. If any there were who doubted that baseball is the national game Of America, or that it had lost its place in the favor of our [ citizen*, such doubt must have been, removed on April 29th last, when the'-.open-ing games qf the National League season of 1886 were played, in the presence of thousands of delighted and enthusiastic spectators. New Y'ork and Boston, at the polo gronnds in the former city, had an attendance of over 12,000, and at the clos • of the game, which was won by New York, the winning nine were borne from the grounds upon tho shoulders of admiring friends. Similar crowds witnessed

the opening games in 'Washington and St. Louis. Bain prevented the first game belwen Chicago and Kansas City, in the latter place, but on the following day over 6,000 spectators witnessed a thirteenfeining game, which was won by the champions by one run. Not a few prophesied that the admission of Washington and Kansas City into tne league would lessen the interest qf the general public; a# the new members would not b'e strong enough to compete with the older clubs in the organization. The opening games dispelled this illusion, as in addition to Kansas City tieing the champions for twelve innings, Washington defeated Harry Wright’s strong team, winning two of the three first games. It is now conceded that greater uncertainty exists as to who will fly the championship pennant of the league for 1886 than in any previous season. The opening games of the American Association were more largely attended than in any previous year, and the same element of uncertainty awaits the result as to the championship. The games of the many State and other leagues have also been largely attended; and it goes without saying that base ball has lost none of its interest fat the public, and that more people will witnedfe the games of 1886 than in any previous year. STANDING OF THE LEAGUE CLUBS. The second week in their race for the league pennant ended, with Saturday, May 8, and found Chicago, New York, Detroit, and Philadelphia leading the string, and very well bunched. From present indications the race of last year between Chicago and New Y’ork is to be run again this year, each club having entered the season under a strong and determined style of play. Both Detroit and Philadelphia are playing excellent ball, and, boning accident to their men, there”seems to be little doubt that both will stand very close to each other and very near the top at the finish. Boston has not played the game up to the present time that was expected of her, and with her strong array of sixteen players, including Badbourn and Buffington—without question of the greatest twirlers in the league—it is something to be wondered at. The following table will show the first two weeks’ work of the elubs: PostClubs— Won. Lost, poned. Chicago 6 2 1 New York ... 6 2 1 Detroit 5 3 ' 1 Philadelphia 4 -.3 2 St. Louis 3- —SI —l_ Boston. 2 5 2 Washington 3 5 1 Kansas City 15 3 In the American Association, at the close of the third week, St. Louis still retains the lead, Brooklyn a good second, with the Metropolitans bringing up the rear. The following will show the standing of the clubs to date: Games Games Clubs — won. lost. St. I.ouis 13 11* 5 Pittsburg. ...;.. .7 9 Metr0p01itan.,."."...... ~~3 11 Louisville 7 10 Cincinnati 7 10 Brooklyn 9 4 Baltimore 8 7 Athletic..../. 8 6 The guesses as to the standing of the league clubs at the end of the season, received iu response to A. G. Spalding & Bro.’s offer of SIOO to the person making the correct guess, have shown considerable diversity of opinion as to the result. Out of 620 guesses, 436 place Chicago first, 152 place New Y'ork first, 21 place Detroit first, 8 place Philadelphia first, 2 place Boston first, and 1 asserts that St. Louis will fly the pennant for 1886. One of the singularities of the year is. that not a single member of the numerous Smith family appears on the -roll of the clubs of the National League!