The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
BASEBALL OUTLOOK.
Manager Watkins Gathering Togeth-
er n Pennant-WinninET Team.

Manager Watkins, OF the Indianapolis
baseball team arrived in the city yesterday
and will remain here until the season opens.
He will open an Office In the When block in
few days and be ready for business. He
was asked last night about the prospects
for the coming seasons team.
I'VE are going in for that pennant IN a
way that will bring 1t to this city. We are
going TO have more to fight this year than
ever, but we will also have more and better
fighting material. There Is not a club in the
Western League that has not been strength
ened during the winter, and all will begin
the season from 10 to Is per cent. better in
playing strength than they began last year
But in this matter Indianapolis will not be
behind.
II have already signed Wood, Hogriever
Damon and Roat OF last years. team. and
Stewart, who played second for Chicago last
year; Conner, last years center at Peoria,
and Mccormick. whom 1 had at the begin
ming or last season, but let go to New Or
leans. Stewart and Mccormick will play
second and third. and this will close up the
two weak spots we had last year."
Mr.. Watkins thinks he will begin the sea-
son with club far superior to that Of last
year. He has been endeavoring to close
the gaps that were open last year
The worst Of these gaps were at
signed for the infield Will take these posi-
lions, but he does not know yet which one
VIII play second. This will be settled after
some PRACTICE games have been played.
Roat Will continue at short, and II he does
as we'll as he did when away from home
last year and at home during the latter part
or the season there will be no room for OBJ
lection to him. In other Western League cit
les Roat Is looked upon as the best player OF
the team. He is extremely sensitive to the
adverse criticism of the indianapolis people,
and he knew that he was not a popular
player here ct the beginning Of last season
to make many bad plays when on the home
grounds. The people soon learned, though.
that in other cities he was considered the
pick Of the team. and did not roast" him
and toward the last of the season he was
always cheered when he went to bat, for the
people learned that he could be depended
upon to bring the team out of tight places.
Mcfarland has been drafted, but will not be
expected to do as much work as Mcfarland
did last year.
For the box Watkins has nine hen on his
enough good men TO do his work. Those
who have signified their willingness to ac-
cept the contract offered, but have not yet
been signed, are Phillips. Cross. Damon,
we'll known here and will, be favorites this
year. Watkins expects a great deal of Rel
man. He Is the man VINO pitched for Nays
vile, KY, last year and beat the Cincinnati
team so badly in an exhibition game.
The regular season will open April q and
close September y, making 40 games on the
schedule, an Increase OF fourteen. The
games that have been arranged for this city
follows: April and z, Page Fence Giants
April IL and ii, Pittsburg; April Is, Chicago,
and April IT, the University OF Michigan.
The players will report here about March %.