Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-25
THE PATERSON CLUB.
The Silk City Has "a Strong Agercgn-
ton.

PATERSON, y. j.. April 2i-(Speclal)
Everything is in readiness for the opening
Of the championship season Of tho At
lantio League in this city. which occurs
Thursday, April Goth. Billy Sharslg and
his band OF Quakers will be here to mea-
sure their strength with the local team
Congressman James i. Stewart has kind
ly consented TO DO master Of ceremonies,
and will be assisted by Mayor Christian
Braun and Mayor-elect John Hlnchliffe
Robinson's Second Regiment Band. Of
forty pieces, will furnish the music Man
ager Mckee has made great many i'm
provements. and very wisely erected a
new grandstand, and 1t is now conceded
by all that Olympic Park is one of the
finest minor league ball grounds in tho
country.
The team that will represent the Silk
City this season is a good one, and far
stronger than the club of 1895. But five
of the old players remain. Manager Nc
Kee had at one time thirty-two players
under contract, but now only fourteen
are left, the others having been exchanged
or released outright. The team, as it
will be when 1t opens in Hartford next
Monday IS az follows: Swink and Bob
Westlake, catchers; Jones. Wan, Flah-
erty, and Sprogle, pitchers; Halter, first
base: Smith, second base; Wagner third
base; Kelster, shortstop; Heidrlck, left
field: Robinson, centre. and Stafford
right; Hardesty. extra.
The only weak spot is at second base
where Smith. who IS a pitcher, has been
playing an Indifferent game Smith is
captain Of the club. and a good man, but
his only forte IS twirling, and he will be
put back I'm the box as soon as a good Sc
cond baseman can DO secured our pitch
ers are I'm perfect condition, and are ca
pable Of doing good work. Jones. espe-
clally, Is in fine trim. and promises TO
do better work than he did when with
Comiskeys st. Paul club I'm 1875. Wan Is
the eX-Natlonal Lacquer, at one time with
Cleveland. Flaherty is only 10 years Old
but with proper coaching. should do WELL
Sproeel was with Lancaster in 1896. and
his record with that club IS n brilliant
one. Halter the tall first baseman. halls
from St. joe Mo-. and his few games here
have made him n favorte with the oc-
cupants Of Bleachervihe.
Keister who cavorts at short, was Sc
cured from Baltimore, in exchange for
Pitcher "Dck" Cogan. lie is a brilliant
player. the best we have ever had I'm the
position. and he will come near being
the king pin shortstop OF the Atlantic
League. Wagner at third IS a fast man.
and his long drives have caused him TO
be dubbed "Home-Run Mike" kid"
Heidrick in left field IS a college player.
and (ed the outhelders Of tho Atlantic
League last season, with an average Of
&c., Robinson IN centre halls from the
Dallas club OF the Texas League. where
he batted at $50 in 1896 and helded at 95i
Stafford the guardian Of right garden.
Is n brother Of "Jeems," Of the New
Yorks His last professional engagement
was with Grand Rapids In 1895. Swlnk
and Westlake. tho two catchers. are both
good men. their throwing is accurate. and
they field their positions nicely. Swink
was way ahead OF all the other catchers
I'm the league East season. Jones will
pitch the first game at Hartford next
Monday
The outlook for a successful season Is
bright. and all the clubs should do wNl
We depend on our Sunday games a great
deal. and II the local team Is well up
In the race, the crowds wiz be enormous.