The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-15
GOOD BASE BALL
CHANCES FOR 1897
Eaough Men Secured TO Make a Fast
and Strong Team.
BEARD ACCEPTS ADVANCE MONEY
Halt--ProspectsA Are Fair for Sign
ing Frank Boyd--Bonner Has
Signed, but Harper Is Taking His
own Timc--The Eastern League
Writers Look with Respect on
Scranton's Chances.

President p. T. Powers, of the East
ern league has sent The Tribune the
following list of approved base ball
contracts for 1897:
with Toronto-Wiliam Baker, George
Bradford, j. II. Dannehower, Joseph De-
vine and j. McPartlan.
With Rochester-Charles Carr, w. f.
Mcfarland, w. j. Yerrick, Ralph Frary
and James Lee.
With Syracuse-Victor G. Willis, Will
lam II. Gallagher, II. j. Lampe, James
Grove, A. c. Whtehill, John NJ. Shearon,
John Malarkey and James Garry.
With Scranton-James Mcguire, Charles
II. Morse, William Wellner, j. j. O'Brien,
Peter A. Eagan, Stanley Yerkes and
Frank Bonner.
With Wilkes s-Barre-Samuel Mills and
Charles Collars.
With Springheld-M Lee, y. II.
Dougherty Daniel Green, Charles Camp,
John Cavanagh, William Mains W. S.
Woods, David Pickett, Joseph Neitch,
George Moore Robert l.. Moore and Ollie
Smith.
Released-By Buffalo, James L. Can
non.
OUTSIDE OPINIONS.
From the opinions expressed by base
ball writer's on the Eastern league cir
cult it is plain that Scranton's hopes
are viewed with respect. Griffin is be-
ing given credit for gathering around
him lot of players whose quality IL
tipped to be better than fair 1t is au-
mitted that the old players reserved
and the new ones signed WIN form a
combination fast and strong. Certainly
the early makeup is not being looked
upon with an Indifference like that of
last year.
Although $3.50 advance money has
been paid Ollie Beard, last yaar s Roch-
ester shortstop, there Is hitch in the
deal. The Rochester owners had given
Griffin permission to negotiate but later
withdrew their consent. However, there
is but little cause to believe that Beard
won't be signed eventually. His play
ing ability is recognized by the l!prh-
ester owners but they object to him on
| personal grounds. With such a cOndi-
tion it is not possible that they Will
keep him. In addition to Beard, Scian-
ton has hopes Of securing Frant Boyd,
the Rochester, catcher, whose probable
release can he attributed to cause
like that in Boards case
Harper has not signed but there is
nothing to indicate that he will fail to
| do so. Bonner's signature has been Sc
| cured and that sets at rest any fears
that he might not be on hand for sthe
| practice season.
Scranton's practice schedule has been
started and includes games at home ard
| abroad. The Cuban Giants have been
| booked for April 10 and 16. On the 10th
and 21st the club plays at Baltimore.
While South the club will play at Wash
| ington, Philadelphia and Georgetown
college. On the 25th, Grftin's men will
| meet the Olyphant Browns at Athletic
! park.
ALL POSITIONS FILLED.
Already every position on the team
| is filed including two catchers, five
! pitchers and four outfielders. Follow
ing is a list of the men actually signed
uD to date: Catchers, O Neill and Gun
son; pitchers, Gillon, Wellner, Morse
| Yerkes Proctor; first base, Massey;
second base, Bonner; shOrtstop, Moss;
third base, Mcguire; left field, Eagan;
center field, Walter; right field, O'Brier
and Meaney. In addition to those play
ers there is shortstop Beard, who is as
good as signed; Catcher Boyd who
may be secured; Pitcher Harper, who's,
signature is only a question of time
and the erratc southwing, Sir. Richard
! Brown, whose good arm cannot support
poor backbone and who will probably
| get the congo.
To man M a tree, the team looks
to be complete, including, Of course
some of the players last mentioned. u
is likely that Manager Griffin Will holc
to the men he has in hand, keep thC
lines tight on the others, and get an
other pitcher il possible, No chance!
will be taken on being shorthanded II
| the box department.