The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-28
SIGNING THE WINNERS
MANAGER WATKINS CONFIDENT OF
SECURING THE PENANT.
Park VIII BE ,Ovcrhaulcd and
Additions Made.

Manager Watkins was still confined to
his bed at the Grand Hotel yesterday and
has been ordered by his physician not to
venture out until tomorrow. He is laid up
with neuralgia in the face, and the suffer-
ing became so intense night before last
that the doctor yesterday extracted three
teeth as the only means of relief This had
the effect to reduce the swelling and to re-
store to his accustomed peace of mind the
suave and level-headed manager, for whose
brow Confidence has selected the wreath of
victory in the season of 1885. He repeated
successes of the past in training leaders
and in forging losing teams to the front
keeps him in the eye of the baseball peo-
pie of the country and gives good omen
of a winning place for the Hoosier team
this season. This is evidenced by squib
in the Enquirer yesterday which said
watkins is very liable to give Indiana
polls a very strong team next season. In
1885 he had very strong aggregation in the
Hoosler capital. He is not loading up with
experiments now, but is laying back to sign
what Cincinnati ana other league CLUBS
quite strong enough for the major league
may prove cracker-jacks in the minors, a
bearing out of the old saying of little fish
in big puddle, but big fish in a small
puddle
Mr.. Watkins, it may be added, appears to
be a good judge of ball players as well as
what constitutes good ball. The secret of
his success with teams in the past seems to
lie in his infatuation for what he calls 1.-The
almighty rum" Star playing is not his style
of playing, because it covers one player
with glory, where scattered over the team
would bring victory and the pennant. He
hopes to push Indianapolis to the first place
this year and then there is vision of
successful future in the National League.
This is SO probable that there is a dis
position among aspiring players, anxious for
the higher salary limit and the glory of the
master league, to play in Indianapolis this
year This is what makes the following,
also from the Enquirer, significant
mark:
Jack Chapman, of Rochester, has put in
a claim for MotZ, Mccarthy and Cross, but,
as they are under reservation to Cincinnati
in the National League and indianapolis
in the Western League, Jack cannot get
them with a dark lantern and a jimmy
Mr.. Watkins differs from the Indiana
polls public in his estimation of the value
Of Cross who, while ne demonstrated .sn here
play ball, yet seldom seemed to want to
do so. The manager says that Cross
played at a disadvantage, and should not
be judged by the work with the Indiana
polls team last summer. He felt that he
had not been treated with much consdera-
ment; but that if he should begin the
son with the Indianapolis club and was
made to realize that his future IN the league
lies in good work here, he would play with
the same energy and power as Motz, whose
situation was much the same and whose
disposition is evidently much more agree
able. Manager Watkins will secure Cross
if he can, thinking him one of the most
brilliant OF last seasons Western League
friendship ris ID can withhold the ak il work is
not satisfactory. Enough was seen of
realize his ability, and the only doubt
about him lies in his willingness to do his
best at any and all times This is
Cross, in coming here, first to remove I'M
favorable impressions and not only do earn
est work burt to do it cheerfuily. s,anad bv
Manager Watkins. ended the season last
year in bad ply steal form, but that, it is
w saa Yf hm d SO hard sa @ s epepng Of the
season that his arm yfss injured, requiring
him to rest the balance Of the season son
wonder Channcey Fisher, of Anderson,
is third pitcher in whom Manager Wat
gether probable that if Cincinnati releases
nl% ns WI R Pa same condition predicates
the securing of these three players. VINO are
engaged with Cincinnati
Perry Coughman, of Girafd, Pa, Will play
with the Indianapolis, having been signed
last week He is a young player, an en-
thusiast the game, and comes Wen rec
commended to the manager by Fred Ely,
the ST Louis shortstop, who made a bet
with Manager Watkins that .Coughman
would be one of the stars at the close OF the
season. He is said osbe. fast and reliable,
and plays second, third or short with much
ability. preferring third base. His playing
heretofore has been ofgthe semi-professionai
sort ~
make a number Of changes at the ball
park. The grand stand, which used to
tremble in the heavy storms, viii be
strengthened by a new nnderpinnng an and
new chairs will be bought for 1t. The
bleachers will be extended so as to seat
thousand more people. Separate entrances
for patrons to the bleachers will be pro.
yided, thus dispensing with the use of
coupon tickets at the grand stand entrance.
The work will be done as soon as the
weather settles in the spring. 1t Is only
sig to eight weeks until the fans Will
he ali excitement again, and work will grow
heavy after O'Clock In the afternoon. Inc
first games win occur in April for exhibi-
ton the visiting teams including the Ma
tonal League clubs of the West, and clubs
in the western Interstate League. Dates
were arranged yesterday with the Terre
Ha1lte club for games in this city April IL
and l2. and in Terre Haute April IS: Gin
cinnati will play here April and 3, and
these two clubs will play in Cincinnati
April % and %.