Clipping:A call for reform
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| Date | Sunday, February 17, 1867 |
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| Text | We feel safe in promising that there will be no more champion contests among our ball clubs. We wish to direct attention to another matter which should receive the earnest attention of ball players. We refer now to clubs engaging in two or three games a week during portions of the season. This necessitates players neglecting business, and, as it frequently happens, at times when their services can illy be spared. It induces others not players to resort to various devices whereby they can witness the sport at the cost sometimes of a situation. We were informed by the Secretary of the Irvington club, who was in the city last week, that the invariable question put to young men applying for situations in New York is, whether they are members of ball clubs. If they answer in the affirmative, they are told their services will not be needed. The same exists here, and we know of a player belonging to one of our crack clubs who was unable to get a situation from the notoriety he had acquired as a ball expert. He wisely gave up playing. There are higher aims in life than ball playing. It may, and doubtless does, suit those who live by black mailing to encourage such a disregard of the duties of life, but it is purchased at a fearful cost. ... If there was anything we admired in Tom Pratt, it was his persistent refusal to neglect his business to engage in this pastime. So, too, of Mike Smith, who invariably declines making an engagement to play if his business demands his attention; and Fisler also, as well as others we could mention. Colonel Moore and “Oppy” set a notable example in this particular–“business first, pleasure afterwards.” Another evil is in gadding around the country, in answer to everybody’s beck and call. This is well enough in its way–say one excursion during the season–but making these excursions is ofttimes at a sacrifice, as Berkenstock and Dan Kleinfelder can testify. Those who are fond of guzzling should do it at their won expense, and not be running our clubs into engagements that they may indulge in cheap pleasures. We intend to set our face against these practices, and call upon the Athletic, Keystone, Commonwealth, Camden, West Philadelphia, and other clubs, to unite with us in banishing this evil. |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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