Sunday baseball was the Holy Grail of Washington baseball until the Great War put an end to the prohibition. It was more than just a desire to make money. There was also a real concern that the franchise would relocate to Baltimore where baseball was allowed.
Mace first pitched for Greenville in 1889. The following year he played for the Atlantic Association Washington Senators along with Hartford and Newark. He made his major league debut in 1891 for Washington. He appeared in three games, his ERA was 7.31. He continued in the minors until 1893, his minor league record was 13-23. Not a very impressive baseball career but he deserves a footnote in the history of baseball in the District when he organized the second attempt at Sunday baseball.
The first attempt in 1890 at the Driving Park near St. Asaph Junction in Virginia ended in disaster with the sheriff chasing the team’s business manager into the District.
Harry Mace was the front man for the return of Sunday baseball to the District. They made use of a baseball stadium at Riverside Park. A grand stand, capable of seating a thousand persons, and bleachers were built. Admission was fifteen cents, ladies free. The park, according to the press, is two miles below Alexandria, on the electric line. For Sunday games cars would run every twenty minutes. The press added this, “The game will be called promptly at 3:45, and those who will witness the contest can enjoy the pleasure of a ride in the country, and get home in time to take an evening spin on their wheels along the Conduit Road.”
Their plans were ambitious. They would open with an exhibition game with the Cleveland League franchise. Other matches would be played against the Cuban Giants, the Cincinnati Red Legs, the Pittsburgh Pirates and several minor league clubs. Their team was to feature former players like Paul Hines and Tom Kinslow, although neither played for the team, labeled “The Riverside Professionals.”
The first game got good billing in the press. “Louis Sockalexis and the Cleveland’s Will Take Part in the Game.” There will be a big attraction at River Side Park this afternoon when Sockalexis and the other Cleveland Indians will play Harry Mace’s Riverside professionals. Besides Patsy Tebeau has billed his Italian pitcher, John Pappalau, to pitch, and his phenomenal youngster, Sport McAllister, to catch. Manager Mace has his new grounds in fair condition, and had it not rained yesterday everything would have been in apple pie order. However, if the weather is favorable there will be a good game, as the Riversider’s are a pretty strong team.
The inaugural game was played on Sunday 6 June 1897. The previous day the Cleveland team, now called the “Indians,” defeated the Senators 10 to 5. The feature of the game was the Washington debut of Louis Sockalexis, the talented outfielder.
Here is the press report of the game. “About 500 people journeyed from Washington and Alexandria and were rewarded by seeing a fairly well played game, but too one-sided to be interesting, as was to be expected, the Cleveland’s walked away with the game from the start, winning out by a score of 12 to 1. The Riversides put up a good game in the field, their inability to hit Sport McAllister accounting for the club only getting one run over the rubber.”
The Riversiders despite their good start quickly ran into problems. Their plan to play exhibition game with several other League teams did not come to pass. So Harry Mace was forced to play local teams. The next game was against the Market House nine. According to the press of the day “a strong local colored team.” The next match was against the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
That was the end of the attempt. If baseball had continued into 1900, the Wagner’s would have played Sunday baseball in Maryland.
Paul Hines was busy in 1897. There is this mention in the press. “Paul Hines is declared a hero. Leonidas Scoovey, accompanied by a women entered the office of Howe Totten, a prominent DC lawyer and demanded certain papers. When Totten declined Scoovey pointed a revolver at his head. Totten cried out for help and Paul Hines, sitting in an adjourning room, grabbed a small table and broke into the room. Hines was able to subdue Scoovey, knocking him to the floor. Scoovey has been arrested and has been charged with intent to kill.”
And Harry Mace? Mace received an offer from the Columbus team. He says his arm is in fine shape. He never played for them but he did manage Wilmington in 1902.
