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226 Prospect Street
Madisontown, Pennsylvania
Miss Carrie Leonard
114 East Chestnut Street
Ephrata, Pennsylvania
June 3, 1898
Dear Cousin Carrie,
Thank you for your letter of May 28. I am sorry I have taken several days to reply to you, and I hope you will forgive me when you learn how busy I have been.
The day I received your letter, I played in my last base ball game for good old Madisontown High. We were playing for the County Championship. We lost, 4 to 2, which was a very disappointing outcome, considering we had beaten that team twice already this season. I had one hit, against a pitcher who is going to Yale to play base ball next year. I was happy to do that well against him, but I would have gladly traded that hit for a victory for our team.
Saturday was my graduation. I was happy, but also sad, because I have had many wonderful experiences at school. Mother made my favorite meal--roast chicken with carrots, potatoes, and peach pie.
Once graduation was over, I had to finally make a decision I have been postponing as long as possible. Would I attend Madison College, or pursue the opportunity to play in the Keystone League? I have been told that I will certainly be drafted by one of the clubs next week, perhaps in the first round. I read in the newspaper that many of the players who are expected to be drafted first are pitchers, and that if a club wants a batsman instead, I might be drafted very quickly. That would be exciting, but it would also create some pressure on me to succeed.
I talked to my Dad about it, and he told me he would support me in either decision. Mama wants me to go to college, so I know I would make her very happy if I told the Keystone League to wait. She knows Madison College will be waiting for me when my ball playing days are done, and that may happen very soon. Who knows? She is still convinced that ball players are mean, rough men. Why, Hal Knapp attended college at Pittsburgh, and Bob Schultz went to Rhode Island. Not all base ballists are hoodlums!
Anyway, I have decided I will wait to see if I am chosen in the draft, and if I am, then I will see if I think I will like the club who drafts me. If it seems like a good fit, I will sign a contract. If not, I can go to college, play ball there, and perhaps, join a professional club after I graduate.
That is more than enough about me. Please write to me very soon and tell me what you have been doing. I hope you, Will, and your parents will come visit us later this summer.
Your cousin,
Roy
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