The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-06
SCRANTON CLUB
NEWS AND GOSSIP
WiIkes.Barre Shows Up Second Best in
the First Series.
NEW FIRST BASEMAN IS SIGNED
He Is u Brooklyn Semi.Pr0fes ssiOnal
Recommended by Harper and DIVE
Foutz..Wil Ward or Hutchinson
Play Second l..AbOut tho Griffin
Deal..After New Pitchers.

While the Official record shows that
Scranton and Wilkes Barre have each
won three games in the series just
closed, Scranton has won three and
Wilkes Barre two of the games actual
ly played. as one of the games was :or-
feited to Wilkes Barre on technlcaiity
by a score Of 3 to 0. Our position was
eighth and the percentage .261 when The
series started, but at the close Of the
last game in the series Thursday our
position was seventh and percentage
$40 gain in position and percentage
Notwithstanding the forfeited game.
The jump upward is one gratifying
fact. but another cause for congratula-
tion is that Scranton made one more
run. six more hits and two more stolen
bases than the Alligators, while they
made four more errors. Scranton did
it, too, with n patchwork team In every
game but the last one. 1t was the first
series Scranton has won since period
SO long ago that the cranks cannot re-
member the exact date.
A new first baseman, Charles Zeidler.
of Brooklyn, has been signed, who,
with Griffin In the outfield. gives Scran-
ton a full complement of men and to
spare II Zeidler proves to be all that has
been claimed for him. He has been
playing semi-professional ball in and
around Brooklyn and was recommended
by Pitcher Harper and Dave Foutz. Of
the Brooklyns. with whom Zeidler prac-
ticed and tried for a position at the be-
ginning of the season. He Is now in
the city and will possibly play in the
game against Toronto today. He Is
about six feet tall, Of slender build, and
is % years old.
The signing of Zeidler will, If he
proves competent. make 1t possible to
keep Hutchinson on second or send
Ward back there, 1t being his regular
position and which he played up to the
time it became necessary to change the
players around owing to the absence of
a regular first baseman. Manager Nc
Dermott will not return until today and
In his absence 1t cannot be stated
whether he will assign Hutchinson or
Ward to second base. 1t is position
which needs to be filled by the most
competent and experienced Of the two
candidates and Ward seems to be the
right one. His selection at least would
be better appreciated by the patrons of
the game, but that Is only one point in
Wards favor. His speed on the bases
his steals, hitting and superior knowl-
edge of the game and points Of advant-
age in play are qualities which Nc
Dermott cannot very we'll overlook. 1t
g tn CT eli hn ~
the cranks; individually, their views are
worthless, but collectively the popular
wish Of the patrons Of the game is soiie-
thing which cannot be set aside.
1t was not known that Eddie Rafferty,
caught Thursdays game with badly
crippled throwing hand. His thumb
was swelled to twice its usual size and
the nail of the third finger was split
nearly half of its length. He sustained
the injuries in Wednesdays game at
Wilkes Barre.
Unless Rafrerty's hand improves
greatly. Dutch" Berger the jolly Teu'
ton just signed, will catch Harper to.
day Berger can do 1t we'll enough, a.
he was Harpers support last year IL
nearly every game the twirler pitched
for Rochester. Rafferty,. however, vii
not be kept out Of the game any oftenel
than is absolutely necessary, as he ha.
rounded into splendid catching form, |.
steady as a clock, throws we'll and stoot
fifth in the league in hitting at the clost
Of last month.
Some of the Wilkes-Barre directors
| are still kicking and disposed to try
| to make trouble for their manager
Jack Chapman, because he solo
| Sandy" Griffin 10 Scranton. AS far a.
| the sale is co, COZ ned the Wilkes b ARE.
ans cannot set the deal aside as Man.
| ager Chap,ran signed a written releas,
| which Is In the l"osst ssion of the Scrau.
ton association aid the purchase prlc,
Of $2oo was raid to Chapman when the
release papers were delivered. Griffin
is naturally cautious, knowing th,
trouble that has been brewing over tn,
matter. and asked the Scranton man
agement not to insist upon his signing
a contract at once. His request wa!
granted though Griffin was perfectly
willing to sign IL it was insisted upon
The Scranton owners gave Griffin tn,
same fair treatment which has from
the start been accorded every player OF
the team, but there is an agreemen
that he shall sign just as soon as II,
| Is satisfied that the deal was properl,
made. He is Perfectly satisfied to pla,
here. There Is no hitch on that account
Tom Power is yet in town, but he Il
slow to recover from the severe illness
which began three weeks ago. No per
son regrets his inability to get in tn
game more than Power does himsel
and an injustice has been done him b,
some Eastern league writer's who hav
hinted that he was playing sick In orde
to get his release. He has been a yer,
sick man and even now Is far from
we'll
Toronto PLAYS here this afternoon
Monday and Tuesday. II reports from
Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse ar
correct 1t will take some mighty stif
playing to take two out of three game
from them as they are hustling, fight
ing animated lot who have well earne
the title Of "'Buck's' Scrappers." TIL
name doesn't signify that they ar
pugilistic in a physical sense. but the.
are in the game to win from start t
finish. Practically they are All aggre
cation of National farmers and wha
they didn't know GNout the tricks Q
their trade has been taught them b.
Manager Al. Buckenberger.
A player named Outcalt has bee
secured by Scranton. But little
known about him as his negotiation
were carried on with Mr.. Simpson, VIII
is out of town. Outcalt has been play
ing emi-professiorally in Ohio and wa
notified Thursday night to report. H
Is first baseman and, presumably. ha
been secured as reserve material in cas-
zeidler, the Brooklynite, doesn't com
up to the standard. i.-.,
There Is a determined effort bein