The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-25
CLUB TO Be here MONDAY
Two Opening. Practice Games With
the Cuban Y Giants.
GROUNDS GREATLY IMPROVED
McDcrmott at Last Makes an Assert ion.
But II Was Not for Publication.
What the Practice Trip
Shows.

Manager McDermott and his Scran-
ton players will be here for practice
games at Athletic Park Monday ana
Tuesday with the Cuban Giants ana
Wednesday with the Carbondale state
leaguers. Given fair weather, II Is GER
tain that large crowds will witness the
games. The spring base ball fever
has become infectious. The old cranks
and converts seem more than calmly
interested In the broad policy that Will
attend Scranton's representative body
of ball tossers on the diamond this
season. and the club will surely have
large and loyal following If in the race
1t maintains as good 4 position as n9fw
seems likely. For the first practice
game several hundred invitations have
been issued.
Unlike the other league cities Scran-
ton will no: have brass band. mayor
and white-and- blue kind OF an
opening at the first championship game
on the home grounds. This game will
take place on May with Springfield
after the club returns from its six-game
struggle with Springfield and Provi-
dence. Rather than depend on the bal
loon kind of advertising to attract
crowds. the Scranton owners propose
to Dut all their available funds into
tlc teOHi anu ne STouHuS. ut opJett
will be to make the club as strong as
effort and money can make 1t and to
make the patrons comfortable. thus
putting a noble sport on solely its own
footing and permitting II to win on
Its merits the patronage 1t deserves.
When play is called Monday the
grounds and buildings will be almost
completed and ready for the season
The rains Of the past few days have
delayed the carpentry work on the
grandstand addition. otherwise the
property is ready for service and In ex-
tent, convenience and comfort Is sec
ond to but few such properties in cities
of the size Of Scranton.
More than any other one character
istic, Manager McDermott's caution
has impressed itself on those who have
come in contact with him. This man
who made Fall River three-season
winner In fast minor league was ex-
pected to show characteristics of hustle
and talk. bur he has proved himself to
be more of the determined and quiet
scrt. So anything Of an emphatic ma
ture that he says should be needed. He
has said Or. rather. written. something
emphatic and It deserves being made
public:
Since the team left Scranton on its
practice trip McDermott had occasion
to leave his men one night for a certain
Eastern league city in search of u
player. On the following day he wit
Messed the club of that city play a
practice game with strong club of a
minor league. Here's what McDermott
wrote a warm personal friend about the
game: II saw the club play to-
do n 1.a,, AIa,, a.
being one Of the three strongest clubs
in the Eastern. Well. maybe they are.
but closely watched their fielding and
hitting and team work. and will say
that II Scranton can't do better I'll get
out OF the business. | am willing you
should remind me of this letter at the
end OF the season."
Such an emphatic assertion from the
cautious McDermott needs no further
up the weak-hearted cranks who see
only disaster in the fact that the club
isn't winning the majority Of its prac-
tice games. Since the club left home
McDermOtt's policy has been to only
exercise the reliable pitchers and drill
the men OH team work and signals.
Such was his announcement to the
owners before the club left home and
such has been the information con-
tained in his letters. The managers
who during the practice season get
their men in good physical condition
! and train them into systematic and
concerted team work will have the
| strongest and best clubs when the reg
ular championship scramble begins;
until then scores don't count.
The Tom Power matter Is yet as un-
settled as indicated In Thursday
| nights special dispatch to The Tribune
| mott has been given carte blanche per-
mission to sign a shortstop. and Is not
| limited as to choice or expense. He has
been given the same kind OF permis-
sion In regard to first baseman, the
| object being to secure for one of the
positions a player who will make a
| competent captain. These two posi-
tions excepted. all the departments are
occupied by material which will form
an average that seems equal to the
corresponding strength of any club in
the league.
Monahan, the California shortstop,
who was sent transportation money
and was expected here Tuesday, has
wired that he cannot come. He gave
no reason. However. 1t is probable
that during today Shortstops Hough-
lin. of Philadelphia, and Corcoran. of
Detroit, will be signed. A surprise
will be the announcement. later OF
the signing of two National leaguers,
one a shortstop and the other an out
fielder who is competent for the for
mer position. One Of these Is heady,
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