The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-20


#.cgaged to manage Savannah. He had
N,ireadv been corresponding with players
n .rervwbere. and as soon as he was in
n .osition to offer terms he closed with
@them.
81 There could hardly be more pleasing
81 ,.us TO the fans than the announcement
a. Charlie Petty has been signed to
hitch. Petty pitched for Savannah in 1898,
Hrben Jimmie Manning put one of the best
cams in Savannah that the south has
b ,yor seen. Petty pitched excellent ball,
q and was considered one of the best twirl-
NC in the league. His batting was away
10 and lust before the league went to
,3eces Manning sold his release
n - New York for 5000. He pitched only a
COW games during the remainder of the
Il .oason for the Giants" but was retained
4 IN 1894. His playing that year was not fast
onopgb for big league company and he
q mas let go. 1t was his own fault, however,
4 and if he had paid strict attention to the
n c7me he might now be in the big league.
last season Petty played the first part of
the wear with Columbus. o.. in the West
n ern League, but finished the season with
Il co,nn,bus. Ca, in the Southern League.
E Petty writes McFarlan that he is in
& GOOD condition and intends to stay so. He
eavs his arm is as strong as 1t ever was
and he is glad that he will be in Savannah
E nevt wear. He was extremely popular in
h savannah He is a whole-souled, genial fell
n low and made friends rapidly.
william Ruekert has also been signed
81 "a Mitch. and will alternate with Petty
n in the box. Buekert, as his name would
Indicate, is of Teutonic origin, as are
many other good ball players He Is a
4 Young man and played in the Indiana
q kentucky league last season. He pitch
E Cd twenty-one games during the season
and won eighteen. This is as good a rec
ORD as any pitcher in the country made,
and if he does near as well in Savannah
he will be voted up to the limit"
Another player who is not unknown to
Savannah fans, and who is a crackajack
4 al around is Bob Langsford. He has
been signed to play shortstop. Langs-
ford played with New Orleans in 1893. and
his brilliant work at short for the Cres-
4 cent City team is still remembered by
those who follow up the game. His play
ing was equal to that of Monte Cross for
savannah and Fred Ely for Atlanta. The
two latter have since found their way into
llt DS ltdS uG, anu LILY Is HOW COAlSAQ-
cred one of the fastest shortstops in the
league
Langsford throws well to first and his
stick work Is excellent. He is a sure
hitter and can always be counted on in
pinch. Not one of those who knock a
two-bagger when no one is on base and
strike out when the bases are full.
Pop Davis. who played with Norfolk
last season. has signed to play second
base. Davis is well recommended by Man
ager McFarlan. They played together on
Norfolk year ago, and McFarlan knows
his abilities.
The fifth man signed is E. c.. Tate, who
played last year in the Virginia State
League with Richmond.
Manager McFarlan will play center
ned and will actively captain, as well as
manage the team. He is one of the fast
est minor league fielders in the country.
swift base runner and a good hitter
II Is MeFarlan's intention to sign eleven
men, He has lines out now for several
sood ones and he expects to land them
ana have his full team signed very soon
most Of the players will be young, but at
lne same time not inexperienced, with
Just a sprinkling of the old fellows to keep
me young ones on their feet and STEADY
the team
Now that half of Savannah's team has
Deeh signed the base ball enthusiasts will
wake up and base ball matters will be-
gin 10 take on a more lively look. 1t is a
peculiar characteristic of the sport loving
puoLc OF Savannah that they rarely begin
70 take lively interest in anything in
lne sporting line until they begin to see
something In other words they
me to have something tan
glhle to look at, not merely
talk and the announcement of the sign
Ing Of six players for the Savannah team.
win the additional fact that some of them
are well-known, will serve to enliven the
interest in the great American game.
Director Lamar will probably take steps
to organize the Savannah Base Ball Asse-
cation this week, which organization will
nave the management of the club A
number of business men have signified
.nelr intention of taking stock, and no
| trouble will be met with in obtaining funds.
a charter will be applied for and the club
VII be run on strictly business principles.
The salary limit Of $1,000 will be strictly
aanered to by all the clubs in the league.
livery playing contract will be sent to
resident Bosche for inspection, and any
'iup is privileged to overlook the
,lhlracts of any other club. This VIII
save the salary list of a club open to the
"Aole league. The clause Is a unique one
ana the league managers expect It to prove
q winner in that It viii keep all the clubs
within the limit
AN of the other cities in the league are
.us.llng for managers and players, but
elN annah has the jump on them so far.
1Dahta has signed j. 7. sheridan Of
Lou'sville to manage, It's team. Sheridan
IS thorough base bah man, and Atlanta
nas fortunate In securing him. Among
,le players signed 10 play with Atlanta
~ Dan Mullaney, who will hold down
u.5t base: James Hughes, a deaf mute,
VINO plays left field; George Kalkoff catch.
bag
CHRIS'rMAG nN run rrpACrx