Letter: Jack Bentley to Edward Sparrow, Sports Editor Baltimore Sun, 1924

1924

Royal Hibernian Hotel Co LTD Proprietors of Royal Hibernian Hotel, Dublin. Salthill Hotel, Monkstown Co Dublin.

Tel Nos 2205 621 622 Telegrams, Hibernia, Dublin. Royal Hibernian Hotel. Dublin.

The Baltimore Sun

My dear Ed:-

Today Oct 26th we played what happens to be the first baseball game in Irelandand altho in a mist and some rain with a very poorly conditioned field we put the thing over some how.

The trip is going to be a success

but these folks over here dont know a thing about our good old game and the rough diamonds make the fielding a little sloppy at times which takes away the real dash and speed of an infield general good work.

The English just gasp when some little pop fly is caught & if a towering hit to the outfield is draged

1997.0005.0381

Royal Hibernian Hotel Co LTD Proprietors of Royal Hibernian Hotel, Dublin. Salthill Hotel, Monkstown Co Dublin.

Tel Nos 2205 621 622 Telegrams, Hibernia, Dublin. Royal Hibernian Hotel. Dublin.

2 down they really seem enthusiastic

They sympathise with the batter saying that he is at a great disadvantage owing to the small stick or whacker that he uses.

I had a funny experience with two photographers who washed some pictures.

The first one came up & said "I say old chapie will you volley the ball & make a feroucions expression?"

Then another one ask me to shout as I delivered the ball.

One little incident that wasnt so funny to me occured in a very fashionable hotel where we stayed in London. We arrived late on a special train from Liverpool England

1997.0005.0381

Royal Hibernian Hotel Co LTD Proprietors of Royal Hibernian Hotel, Dublin. Salthill Hotel, Monkstown Co Dublin.

Tel Nos 2205 621 622 Telegrams, Hibernia, Dublin. Royal Hibernian Hotel. Dublin.

and Friesh & myself happened to be talking together in the lobby. An English man in fine dress walks up- & "Really you fellows look absurd in those hats" my mind went back to a fashionable hat shop in the Aston Hotel New York when I had bought a really nice winter hat.