The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-05

Of the New orleans team in the South
ern league for several years, and who
will bring with him Gonding, also of
the New Orleans club, and a catcher
and base stealer of no mean ability.
Powell, too, is remarkably fast on the
bases.
Wilkes Barre win also have First
Baseman Howard Goeckel. one of the
most promising new professionals I'm
any minor league, and Jack" Keenan,,
who ranks I'm the first division of the
Eastern's twirlers. Jack" Sharrott is
another addition and will play in the
outheld. He made 113 runs in 100
games and batted at .317 last year.
1t is possible that Powell will bring
with him from New Orleans Pitcher
Smith.
Every team in the league begins the
season with good prospects of financial
success, Toronto excepted. Arthur Ir-
win, in accepting the Toronto fran
chise, seems to have stacked ~
against pretty hard game. and if the
Canadians finish the season ii will be
surprising. That team at home will
have to compete for favor with the Ca
madam league, which, i'm Toronto, is
represented by a club managed by
Maddocks, the rather primitive and
asy-going gentleman who managed
the Toronto Eastern league team in
1895. Just now the Toronto sporting
writers are not falling over themselves
in an effort to help Irwin out. The
team lost $4,000 last season. This year
the grounds are about two miles from
the business section of the city aud to
reach them patrons will have to pay
extra ferriage.
1t may be. however, that someone
more influential than Arthur Irwin is
back of Toronto. That was indicated
in the Washington Star. the mouth
piece of Earl Wagner, which contained
these headlines: Good For This City;
Mr.. Wagners Deal With the Toronto
Ball club; WILL BE A FARM FOR
WASHINGTON" The story contained
| the following:
There is no longer doubt that j. Earl
| Wagner Is principal owner of the Toron-
to Base BAH club. This arrangement was
| entered into during the early winter be-
| tween Earl Wagner and Arthur A. Irwin,
| the well-known base ball manager. The
| franchise was obtained by purchase from
| the Pittsburg club. After the consumma-
tion of the deal, Mr. Irwin at once went
| to work to get together a strong club,
| and that he has succeeded in doing so
| is admitted by all persons who keep in
| touch with base ball matters.
| This deal was a wise stroke of business
| policy on Mr.. Wagner's part, and answers
! the often asked question: what ar
rangement has MIR. Wagner made to
strengthen his team in case of accident
or other misfortune? It is easily seen
that the Washington club was never 20
well fortified, having first call on any
player Of the Toronto team.
Manager Sandy Griffin will today
reach Scranton from his home at Fay
etteville, n. Y, where he has made
| his headquarters during the winter
| The players will report during the week
and on Saturday or Monday the team
will start on it's practice trip. The
practice schedule is not fully known
here but it will include games at Ian
caster Baltimore and Newark which
indicates that Griffin has arranged
dates with Virginia and Atlantic league
clubs.
| The season opens Friday. April %
with Scranton at home for three games
each with Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo
and Toronto in the order named.
There will be no change in the ar.
rangements of buildings and grounds
at Athletic park. The diamond is il
fairly good condition and can be ready
for use by two days work. The same
is not true of the outfleld which ha.
never been smooth enough TO insur,
good work by outfielders. That faul
will be Temedied before the season
opens and the turf will be narrowed
in places and leveled and rolled int,
some semblance of evenness. TIL,
bleachers and granGstand We're in per
feet repair at the close of last season
and will not require any attention now
The box Office and ticket service will b,
in charge of a. J. Duffy, of the Froth
| ingham theater.