The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-21

had best change that rule or O'Connor will
be sure 10 rupture a blood vessel before the
seasons fairly begun.
But come 10 think OF 1t. Big Mike has
one show; he might sign Jim Nolan to do
his kicking: Jim wouldn't mind a little
distance of two or three blocks If he got
to talking loud once.
In last Sundays edition he prints the
following letter from Shaffer:
My Dear Jim-Hlvng a little off time,
l thousht ! wouli drop Il few liues to you
to let you and my many other San An
torio friends know that l am still on
earth. The section | inhahit just now IL
Norfolk, Va. and l am waiting for the
Atlantic association season to open. | am
most favorahly impressed with the collec-
ton Of Bronchos Big Mike has gathered
Tor your people and firmly believe that he
Will win the pennant with them. This ism t
any slur at the other teams. for the rest
of them show up we'll. Nobody can learn
Mike anything about the game and the way
to handle players, and ii no has as much
authority over them as before. the other
teams can look out for a dust storm and n
Will come from the heels of Mixes herd
1t viii please nae very much If the boys
NAA NhAs ihi s1hu sAlAAtHlb Is IL kDtl luWA
and deserves good team. l have a great
regard for the good old Alamo City where
/ numbered more real friends and admirers
than | did in the town whose uniform
wore In case this circuit breaks Up aud
am out Of Job san Antonio can get me
in minute for loss money than | would
get anywhere else. Remember that. was
more than pleased with the rank | got in
the averages and feel that us players are
under many obligations to you for getting
the work out. Remember me to big Mike
and tho players. the Jordans, Mr.. Heuer-
mann and every one else in town. | cant
remember small part OF all who were
so kind TO me. SO tell them 'howdy' for me
In print"
It's a good thing he let O'Connor know
he could be had cheap" for 1t is probably
the only way any Texas league manager
would ever have found out he could be had
at all.
Sporting Life's correspondent at Leban-
on, Ind, says "E. d. McCally has signed
to play first base for Fort Worth. and |
want to say right now that President Ward
Will not be disappointed in him. He is one
Of the best men to throw to ! ever saw
and sure hitter"
base and captain his team throughout the
course OF the entire season. He arrived at
this decision shortly before his departure
for tho North.
pettjohn, left fielder. has reported at
Austin. Other players viii not report before
the end OF this week.
Jack Roach has left for Peoria, H.
where he will pitch this season. Roach is a
good man and made many friends while in
Houston. He has been steadily practicug
lately on new drop ball, which O'Brien
saws is one Of the prettiest he has ever
seen.
Perhaps the first OF the amendments To
the playing rules that Will be broken is the
one that says the captain must remain in
his position while in the act OF mailing a
kick TO the umpire" observes Tom Brown.
This is the most absurd idea that was
ever heard OF outside OF a deaf and dumb
asylum. and is an Inconvenience 10 tho
unpire as Well as the player. There are
many times during a game when al umpire
makcs n mistake either in Interpreting the
rules or through a momcnt of thoughtiess-
ness on us pert, that is taken advantage
OF by one Of the teams. Now, in such cases,
Is it reasonable TO ask player To stand In
his position snd yen at the umpire who
Is standing behind the home base? | an
located about a block from the backsLop.
aud II have n word to say to the umpire
! must pass 1t along first to the second
hascmau and then ta the pitcher. IL is a
positive necessity for the captain to COM
muniento with the umpire. and unless he
has valve on his throat as yocferous as
| one Of Al Mauls neckues. or a calliope, hs
must pass the word up the line from tho
outfiold. There are seven cap,Ains In the
league who play the out'ield-H ughey nut
~ OF Boston, Mike Griffin of Brnoklyp
Stalllngs OF Philadelphia Joe Kelly OF nal
| timoro when Robinson is not IN tire game)
| Patsy Donovan OF Plttshurs. Tommy Dowd
of 81. Louis, and myself That is. seven
out Of the twelve captains are handicapped
| 10y this rule"
Hero is the opinion of Tommy Dowd.
manager of tho st. Louis Browns, on tho
pitching rule: Before the rules were