BASE BALL.

the base ball clubs—No. 2.

New York, Oct. 26.   

Dear Spirit:—In my last letter to you, I promised that my remarks in other letters would have particular reference to the most prominent clubs, and ball-playing as at present practiced.

I will commence by reviewing the history of several of the A 1 clubs, beginning with the Knickerbocker, as the first formed of the existing organizations. The Knickerbocker was organized in 1842. They numbered about thirty-five members, their limit was and now is, forty. But few of the first members now belong to the club ; for notwithstanding a ball-player’s love for the game, changes will and must take place, that separate companions in pleasure, as well as in the more serious duties of life.

For some years there was no other club for them to contend with ; for sports of this nature were not cherished as they are at the present time ; and other games, such as cricket, were almost abandoned by every one, excepting a few, whose attachment to such sports seemed innate with them. The Knickerbockers were therefore obliged to play among themselves, getting up games between married and single ; and it was not until the Gotham was formed that they could compare their playing with another club. They have played the game for fifteen years, and are in reality the parent club, for whom the others should feel a certain regard, on account of the difficulties they have encountered and overcome, such as a new association has to contend with, unless assisted by other players. The Knickerbocker now has about as many members as they are allowed.

They turn out a very strong nine, of which some mention may well be made. Their catcher, Mr. De Bost, has fulfilled that position with as much ability as any player ever did, and has never been excelled as a powerful batsman, but is frequently caught out, as the ball is raised sufficiently high for the fielders to catch. He plays a strong game, and in a match is the life of the club. Notwithstanding the number of good players, in and around New York city, he still maintains his reputation. Mr. Stevens, who is their regular pitcher, has not played so well this season as last. Their first base man is fully equal to the average, but the club lost the man for that position when Mr. Wadsworth left them. Their second and third bases are well covered, and the fielders are lively enough, but do not practice as much as they should. Dr. Adams as short stop is excellent.

The great trouble with the nine is, that each one does not confine himself to that place that he occupies during the match ; perhaps for this reason many are inclined to think he occupies during a match ; perhaps for this reason many are inclined to think that, with two or three exceptions, the second nine would be almost as strong as the first. When the club was first organized, they played by the rules that, until this season, all the clubs played by. The recent Convention which was held last February (and of which I will write hereafter) was called by this club, who thought that there was room for improvement in the rules, and earnestly desired to see the game partake of as much of science as possible. Whether their efforts were successful or not, the ball-playing community will decide. Again I will say, that a certain amount of honor belongs to the Knicks, and I believe it is accorded to them by most of the clubs. They have rendered themselves too exclusive by passing a resolution not to play any other club than those that practice on their grounds. Such seems to be the opinion of most players ; and the Public hope that another year will see them prepared to play with any club who desire such honor. They have always been noted for gentlemanly conduct, and their reputation as gentlemen fully equals that obtained as players. During practice, all balls from the bat must be cuaght on the fly, or it does not put the striker out ; this rule is a good one, and should be followed by all—it will give more confidence to the fielder, and on poor ground the ball will bound in any direction than the right one. In writing of other clubs, I do not intended [sic] to write of them in the order that they stand as players, or to give one a position that I would not another ; but, believing that they all desire to be the first club, as players, shall of course leave it to the community to decide which is the best.

Yours, respectfully,                           X.