Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-03
MANAGER JAKE WELLS.

professionally In 1856 with the ACID iron
Earth Club, of Mobile. Ala. In 1881 ne
played with the New Orleans clup OF the
Southern League; in 1883 he played IN
Kansas City until August LIST, when ms
release was sold to the Detroit clup TOT
81. 900 and he stayed with this team dur
ing the season of 1899: in 1890 he was
with the St Louis Browns; in 1881 he
was with Troy On. " club OF the Eastern
League; in 1892 he was with New Haven
Comm club Of the Eastern League; in
1898 he was with the Pensacola and Biz
mingham clubs OF the Southern League;
in 1894 he managed and played with the
Mobile club of the Southern League, and
there remained until that association dis
banded. Early in last August the Rich
mond club was in need of catcher. Mr..
Wells was highly recommended, and he
was ct once engaged. He played here
the remainder OF the season, and made
numerous friends by his gentlemanly
manner and appearance.
ENGAGED AS MANAGER.
At the close OF the season. before re-
turning to his home in Pensacola, Fla.
he was engaged by the management Of
the Richmond club to manage their club
for the coming summer, and has had the
selection of and will have the full control
OF the players. Mr.. Wells states that
while he makes no predictions as yet for
his team, he is satisfied they will be
able to hold their own and give the Rich
mond club clean and honest exhibit
ton Of the game. which became so popu-
lar here last season, and which, Ii Is
thought, will create even greater enthu-
siasm the coming summer. Mr.. Wells
has had a number Of offers from the
Central and Southern leagues, but states
that he prefers returning to Richmond.
Mr.. Wells is nearly 6 feet in height.
and weighs about 10 pounds He will
catch and play first base. and will have
AL. Gibson, from Greenville, s. c., who
Is ) feet II inches In height. and weighs
is pounds. to assist him In these posi-
tons. The cranks will also have the
opportunity of seeing Freddy" Foster
wear the mask In some of the games the
coming season.
SOME OF THE PLAYERS.
Full descriptions Of all the players
will be published in a short time. Brief
descriptions Of some Of them are as fol-
lows:
John G. Knorr, pitcher, height feet
inches. weight 145 pounds. age a. Knorr
pitched for Mr. Wells in Mobile early last
season, and was very successful, and
ranked high among the Southern League
pitchers.
Robert f. Fender. who will play third
base. is 5 feet 8 inches in height and
weighs 1G5 pounds. Pender also played
in Mobile early last season under Mr.
Wells, and finished the season with the
Petersburg club as short-stop. He cap
tained their club. and much of their
success was attributable to his brilliant
work. Fender halls from New Orleans
James G.. Allen. another of the pitching
staf (of which there will be four at
the opening of the season. Is feet 6
inches In height, and weighs AS pounds.
He is comparatively a new man, but has
made a splendid showing, and It is
thought will make a fine showing this
year.
The outfeld will be composed OF Kahn,
Foster. and Groves. Kahn and Foster are
known to be excellent ball players. They
ranked very high in their respective posi-
inches in height weighs lGO pounds. and is
"a years old. He played with Sioux City
In the Western League last season, and is
a very fast man in his place.
PHILLIES TO PLAY HERE.
The Philadelphia National League club
has accepted the offer of the Richmond
club to play here April Sth and 9th.
The National League clubs that will
visit Richmond in April are composed of
the finest players in the profession, and
If the Richmond club makes a good show
ing against these clubs IT is needless
to say she will at once find favor with
the "cranks"
An effort is being made to arrange a
game here with the Houston club OF the
Texas State League. which is owned by
Ted Sullivan. This club Is composed of
a number or Virginia League PLAYERS of
last year. notably Jimmy" Gilman. the
manager of this team. who played second
base for the Richmond club last season
1t was hoped that Gilman would return
to this city this season, and strong efforts
were made to induce him to do so, but
he preferred managing the Houston club
for Mr.. Sullivan. Hodge and ColliIower
OF last seasons Norfolk club, are also
with this team.
SIGNING THEIR PLAYERS.
Nearly all Of the clubs that were in
the league last year are rapidly signing
up their players. and. though IL Is, inn.
possible to find out exactly what players
are being signed by the other clubs
information so far obtained indicates
that the league. which gained a wide
reputation last year. will be even stronger
during the coming season. 1t Is vet
question Of whether the league will con-
sist OF six or eight clubs, though the
preference seems to be in favor of the
former.
Pitcher Lothrop and Catcher frost.
VINO played with the Richmond and
petersburg clubs last season. have signed
with the Syracuse On. " Eastern League
club.
THE ROANOKE TEAM.
The following is last Of some of the
players or the Roanoke club for the
coming season: George A. Hines, Of To-
iedo. u, catcher; d. s. Crockett Roa-
noke. first base. James e. Breen. San
dusky, o., second base; John Cayanaugh.
Louisville, KY. third base; w. ]. Arm
held. Jr.., High Point, N. c., ieft-field:
Frank Schultz. Delaware, O., right-field
and change catcher; Burson DeHart, of
Bristol. Tenn. aDd W. NJ. carrick.
Grand Rapids. Mich. pitchers. They
have yet to secure short-stop, centre
fielder. and two pitchers. Breen. who
will play second base. will manage the
team. The Roanoke club is In the hands
OF company composed OF some of the
weaithiest and most influential citizens,
and they VIII spare no expense to secure
good team TO represent them this year.
w. A. Smith will manage the Lynch
burg team the coming season. and
though he claims to have signed q num-
Der OF good men. he Is as yet not ready 10
make their names public.
A meeting Of the league will be held
at an early date, when the number OF
clubs, date OF opening the season.
election OF officers, ETC.. will be decided
The president and secretary OF the league
this year will probably be outside par
ties. who are not interested in any Of
the teams.
THE BALrIMoREs.