The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-23
LOOKING FOR A GOOD RECORD
Manager Spence Thinks Our League
Team Will Come Near the Top.
he Will Begin Work at Once in Preparing
for the Opening of the Baseball Sea-
son the First Week of April.

dianapolis baseball club, reached the city yes
terday morning. and is stopping at the New
Denison Hotel He is medium-sized man,
with dark hair, dark eyes and mustache and
has the general appearance of being man OF
more than ordinary Intelligence. Unlike most
base ball men, he is somewhat reserved, but
talks freely and intellieently when approached.
'sYes, have come to Indianapolis to stay" he
said to Journal reporter last night, land shall
begin work at once. There is much to be done,
and concluded to come to the city early in the
year to have plenty OF time to prepare for
the opening of the season"
'What do you think Of the prospects for the
Indianapolis club for 1881"
"They are very encouraging and believe the
club is going to surprise many people this year.
Considering the individual players it had last
year, it ought to have made better showing,
and now that the directors have secured some of
the best new talent in tho country, see rea-
son why the team should not play as good ball
as any of them. There are many reasons why
more may be expected from the club this year
than last When the franchise came from
Kansas City to indianapolis tine players and the
public generally did not believe the team would
stay here but 2 few weeks ss I'D. Inc PLAYERS
ferred to some other city, and II Is not strange
that there much Indifferent work At
season
strated that she was able to support a ball club.
and the players all have to acknowledge that
they had never been better treated anywhere.
For this year the club has been materially
strengthened and the players know that they
are going to be dealt with literally, hence they
will try to make better club record"
"What 10 the opinion among baseball men IN
the East regarding the clubW
''They are all expecting it to make a great show
ing. The interest Indianapolis had developed IN
the matter is the general topic among baseball
md in thn VVrfva
club is going to be of the best in the League
A remark that Manager Kelley, Of the Louisville
club recently made to a reporter while return
ing from San Francisco, expresses well the feel
ing in the East. The reporter asked him If the
coming year was likely to develop anything
startling and ne said: Watch the Indianapolis
club"
"Have you made any arrangements yet for
opening the season."
Nothing definite. It will perhaps be opened
away from home. A Southern trip has been
talked of. but think it would be detrimental to
the club. and besides, there would be no money
in it. It Is true that players get practice by be-
change in climate ruins them when they come
back north. They have to be acclimated after
they return, and much of the season may be
over before they are in good playing condition.
The season here will probably be opened about
April 6. The players will report for duty about
the middle OF March. and go into prac-
tice l am opposed to players
practicing in gymnasium. Base nail
itself is the only practice that does the men
much good. Muscles may be made in gymna-
SUM, but they are not trained to the quick
movement that is necessary On the field.
have noticed that pitchers who trained in a gym
nasium during the winter months invariably
had sore arms in the spring, and am satisfied 1t
comes from the different use of muscle"
Are you making an effort to get any more
new playersP
Il can't say much about that The directors
are willing to spend money for talent. and if we
can find men that we believe will be beneficial
to US will take them. There are two or
three great players we are trying to get, but
nothing is sure yet ! can't say who they are,
because if other clubs learn that anyone is max
ing an effort to secure them the deals will be
spoiled. There may be some Developments
later on"
What changes do you contemplate making in
the playing positions of the men this yearF
II can't Determine that until after the prelim-
mary playing is over. think that sometimes
players do better work by being changed from
position to another. Sometimes player
who has made gre at reputation in one position
may fail to do good work, but putting him in
another may m AXE him very valuable man.
The men will be played where YER am satisfied
they do the best work"
You don't anticipate any trouble about get
ting the old players back here this yeara'
mot the least in the world. They all like
the liberal thing by them, and they will all be
glad to get back"
do you care to predict where the club will
stand at the end of the season.
mo, do not 1t is very easy matter to
make predictions during the winter, and
man often gets picked up by so doing;
besides, l am a believer that a clubs sue
cess depends much on luck. However.
am willing to say that Indianapolis will not
brind up the tail end this year. We will wait
and see how near the top we will CO."
Spence said he thought the season going to
be one of the most interesting the League ever
experienced. vigorous effort was being made
to strengthen all the clubs.