The Portland daily press., 1896-04-03

Manager Clarity has arranqcl for a
novel feature on the program of the
Madden benefit. 1t will consist OF an
exhibition of pitching by John Stafford,
the clever twirler of the Lewiston team.
Mr.. Clarity wrote Stafford asking il he
would consent to appear and today re-
ceiyed letter from the young man, say :
ing that he would be pleased to do SO,
and that he WAS willing to assist in any
other way that he could to help the bene-
fit along. Stafford will arrive in Port
land Monday evening" and after the bene-
tiu will go up to Lewiston, where he has
been engaged to coRch the Bates College
boys.
Mr. Clarity received yesterday a letter
from Connie Mack, the well-known
manager of the Pittsburg league team,
enclosing substantial check for the
Madden fund.
Tho Boston Globe publishes an inter
view with Willie Mains, in which the
lengthy twirler sizes up the New Eng
land league clubs, and the chances Of
the championship. "Wilyum' oruelly gives
Lewiston, whose idol he is, and Portland,
which was chiefly responsible for his n
trance into the professional base ball
arena, the go-by, and picks Fred Does
whalers for first place. This is particu-
larry hard hearted in Willard Eben,
from the fact that spring time bali
prophecies are usually in great measure
governed py wishes.
Jack Leighton thinks we'll Of the Brock
ton team for this season. "Willis, Ma
deau and NICK Wise make great out
field - says he
Manager Clarity was intending to go
up to Lewiston this week, but on account
of the Madden benefit will probably not
do SO until a week later.
The New England league of late years
has been particularly strong in thi I'd
basemen and weak in short stops, was a
remark made Yesterday, and come to
think of it, that is quite true. Some of
the men who have played third bag in
this league would be hard to beat any
where. There have been Mccormick and
Shea of Lewiston, Magoon and Jack
Newall of Portland Joe Harrington, Nyce
and several others.
If Portland's infeld is as strong this
year as it promises to be from what is
said of the men who have signed for the
four positions, it will have had 10 superior
in the New England league in recent
years.
Looking about the expanse of country
hereabouts, 1t seems rather odd to think
of the Massachusetts, ball players taking
out of door practice. For the present il
Is bOpuui 81 NV OebiltuS ulIobll UdS6 Drilling,
BrooKton expects to maze a dollar out
of base bass this year. That is being n
little too sanguine but with winning
team the attendance in the shoe CITY
could undoubtedly be doubled.
Gelers, who has been sigped by Mana
ger Marston of Fall River, played last
season with the Norfolk, Va team. He
has fine record and was in demand by
several Eastern league clubs. In speak
ing of Lyons Gelers says he is the fine st
minor league third basemen in the bust
ness and as coacher he has no equal.
Nadeau and Hickey were up to the ball
grounds Yesterday afternoon, says the
Brockton Times, INDUCING in little
| light work. Ths former appears to be
in very fair condition, although he looks
| little overweight. This cannot be said
of Hickey, the second baseman.
| Daley will probably not be seen play
| ing on the third bag for Pawtucket this
season, as COughlin, who is considered
a much better man for the position, has
| been secured Waldron will be seen as
usual chasing flies out in right field
Pawtucket has more players under CON-
tract than any two national league clubs
excepting perhaps New York.
| Pennsylvania Is a great state from
which to get material for the New Eng
| land league. Six of the new men signed
| by Manager John +. Smith of the Paw
tuck eG cluD nail from the keySton state.
| Capt. Tom McDermott of the Fall River
team Is more than anxious to have his
men go Up against his brother Mikes
Scranton team-Fall River Herald
Ed Rudderham, formerly of the Brook
ton and Lewiston teams of the New Eng
land league. will catch for Maiden his
season. His brother Frank is training
the Thayer Academy nine
Three managers new to the New Eng
,.,d lpa0na will pnaEn thaIr hut
season. Marston of Fall River, Smith Of
Pawtuoket and Harrington of Augusta.