Manchester High School - Somanhis Yearbook (Manchester, CT)

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SOMANHIS EVENTS 21 The editor of the paper thoroughly explained the game and in the course of his account we read: “If the fielder cannot catch the batted bail and thus put the man ‘out,’ he may hurl the ball at the runner. If the runner is struck in this manner he is ‘out’.” The editor was not wrong when he made this state- ment for that was an actual fact. After the game became more popular, how- ever, this rule was abolished. The illustrations which accompanied this report showed to a greater degree the difference between modern baseball and baseball in the fifties. All the spec- tators are standing with the exception of those who occupy a few carriages. The umpire, however, is sitting calmly in the middle of the field, his chair tipped back, his legs crossed, appearing utterly oblivious of whatever remarks the onlookers may make. ‘The basemen instead of “playing off,” are standing with one foot on the base, and a base runner is “glued to third,” even though the pitcher is preparing to deliver the ball. Indeed, the entire scene would greatly astonish the baseball captain of today. Since then, the game has spread rapidly, not only over America but to Europe, Asia and Australia. Our national pastime is the greatest sport in the world! The war through which we have just come, has done much towards the spreading of baseball. The French adopted it as a means of improving their hand grenade throwing. When the Americans arrived in France the “‘poilus” noticed that our “dough boys” were able to throw grenades with much more ac- curacy and skill than they. So they decided to go to the root of the matter and find out where the reason for our superiority lay. They found the answer in “Baseball.” The Americans had been throwing baseball since they were big enough to hold the ball, and when it came to throwing grenades they found it an easy matter to prove superior to the French men, for the French are not natural throwers. The French, however, decided that their men must learn our way of throwing. Johnny Evers, who taught baseball “over there,’ says they learn very quickly, and he holds our bright prospects for the future. On the other hand, Christy Matthewson thinks that Mr. Evers is too optimistic. He does not see such a brilliant future for baseball in France. The French, he says, don’t like the idea of playing ‘‘catcher.” There seems to be something formidable and repulsive to the man who wears the mask and chest protector. “li you want the French to play a game” says Matty, “‘you’ve got to furnish the catcher.” They have shown ability at base-running, but you’ve got to put them on the bases to give themachance torun. “They can’t bat!” Despite all the difficulties, however baseball has worked its way into France, and it has made an impression on the French people that is bound to last. As a result of the war, England also, has been invaded by our national game. The English play stiffly and have a very dignified aspect. This is due to the English game “cricket”? which is played in very stately fashion. Last Fourth of July, the United States Army and Navy teams played a game in Eng- land. There was much cheering and yelling during the game, which the Navy won, with the score of 2 to 1. When the final stroke was given, the “rooters” for both sides filed on to the field amidst the yells and cheers of the crowd. Suddenly by some mysterious force, the lines of soldiers and sailors stood still

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20 SOMANHIS EVENTS the women that the crops which fed the soldiers at the front were harvested. In short, they have engaged in every kind of work possible for them to under- take and have succeeded admirably. In many cases the overwork and the over- strain proved too great, and they gave their lives for the cause of France. Anxiety, the heaviest of all their burdens, they bore courageously. They de- iighted in the sweet work of doing good and their hearts were just as staunch as those of their loved ones with whom they had parted. This fact may be well illustrated by a story told of a French officer who was obliged to announce to a poor old lady the death of her son.. Trying to calm the grief-stricken mother the officer told her that she must remember that her son died saving France. ‘‘Ah!” she replied, “only tell me Monsieur L’ officier that we shall save France and I shall weep no more.” This touching story goes to show that even the supreme sacrifice was willingly made if it were only done in supporting the noble cause. Nevertheless, under this heavy veil of optimism a certain seriousness existed and exists even today. The French realize what the disaster of war has cost them. In approximately every home there is sorrow. They know only too well what the deaths of those valiant soldiers mean to the nation in the future. They mourn and weep for them, but console themeslves with the knowledge that they died for France. Now that France has emerged victoriously from this great war it is the sincere hope of all civilized countries that she will attain her former prosperity and be the beacon light for the cause of justice and democracy throughout the world. Helen F. Kelleher, ’19. K OUR NATIONAL SPORT ATTER-R-R-UP!” | The ring of the umpire’s voice echoes around the Bh field. The crowd gathers closer, anxiously awaiting w hat come next. The masked man behind the bat bends low, his eyes on the pitcher, while the pitcher with great precision fingers the ball and sizes up the man at the bat. This latter stands impatiently awaiting the throw. Some of the men on the field are hurling encouraging remarks at the pitcher, while others, support the batter in their enthusiasm. Everyone, spectator and player, is much excited and watches with amazing interest the movements of the players. “Play Ball’— yells the umpire. Swift as a streak of lightning the ball whizzes from the pitcher, the batter tries to hit it and fails, for the greedy hands of the masked catcher hold it fast. “One strike!” bawls the umpire. There is no need to describe the game any further, for there is no one who does not know baseball and who has not seen, if not participated in, a game. But when baseball started about sixty years or so ago, the game looked very different. A newspaper in 1859 reports a game that was played at Hoboken, N. J. So much was thought of it at the time that a two page picture of the game was printed also. In those days, something unusual, like a Fourth of July celebra- tion, had to take place, as a cause for a game. The reason for this game was to entertain some Englishmen of high rank who were visiting here.

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22 SOMANHIS EVENTS and the uproar on the field gave way to a painful silence. Then across that sudden calm swept the first notes of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Sailors and soldiers stood at attention, and the crowd was hushed while our National anthem was. being played. It seemed, indeed, a fitting close for the American game played by American soldiers and sailors. The newspapers reported that the English thoroughly enjoyed their Fourth of July baseball game. The Japanese are getting to be great baesball fans. The game was intro- duced into that country about twenty years ago, but it never gained a real foot- hold there until about eight years ago. Japanese teams have visited the United States to play our teams, and Chicago teams have played return games in Japan. In 1913 we heard that a Chinese club was coming over to play our college clubs. When the games were played, it could be plainly seen that the Chinamen had not much to learn from the Americans about baseball. The game has been used as a civilizing force in the Philippines. It has been said that “Baseball is the melting pot of all sports.” It is played in France, and England, Italy, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Japan and China. Here in our own America, men of all nationalities are playing it. The time is nearly at hand when we shall have bigger championship contests than the world has ever known; for baseball is the coming international sport. But, why is baseball so popular? Why is everyone interested in it? Why do crowds of men, women and children stand in the heat of the broiling sun on a warm summer’s day and yell themselves hoarse while they watch a group of men send a little ball back and forth across the field? What is there in baseball that fascinates everyone? Did you ever stop to think? In the first place, a great portion of those who attend the games, have at one time or another played baseball. Then, baseball is made up of the right proportion of action and inaction, and excitement is furnished for the players as well as for the spectators. Besides this, the “Sporting Blood” of America demands something that cannot be decided in a hurry, but yet contains thrills of expectation all the way through. In 1859 we chose baseball for our national sport. The Americans since then have responded heartily to the choice. Young and old are enlisted in its favor while the little tots show their approval by acting as a menace to autos and other vehicles because they find the street not at all a bad place for a game of ball. America, you may not have a national literature, you may not have a na- tional art, but you have a national game and you're proud of it! Hannah J. Moriarty, ’19.