The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-06
NOT WEAK IN PITCHERS
INDIANAPOLIS TEAM HAS GOOD MA
TERIAL FOR THE BOX.
Stewart Holding Out for More Money
-Gray's Successor Training in
Hot Springs.

Three weeks more and the baseball sea-
son will be at hand. The Indianapolis play
ers will report Monday, March IS, and from
that time on the national game will occupy
a good share of the public's attention. There
is the usual preliminary sk1rnish for more
money on the part of two or three of the
players. Stewart is holding out. and says
he will not sign at the figure named in his
contract. Manager Allen is, of course,
anxious to have Stewart in line, but says
he will put "Dibby" Flynn on second if
Stewart remains obdurate. Flynn is not an
ideal baseman, owing to his slender build,
but he is quick as a cat, and would cover
plenty of ground around second, even If he
isn't big enough to block off some of the
base runners. He is nervy and always in the
game and wherever he is put-infeld or
outtield-will give a good account OF himself
Flynn is in Chicago and will report on time.
He has not yet signed, but there will be
no trouble over his contract. Fleming. the
outfielder drafted by Cincinnati from the
New Castle, Pa, team, is another man who
is not satisfied with the terms offered him.
Two pitchers, Scott and Wiemar, have
signed and their contracts were received
yesterday. Scott is at Walbridge, o., near
Toledo, and Weimar at Ottumwa, Ia. The
some time, but has come around, and should
be of service to the team this season. He
is a left-hander and promising one. With
fast team back of him Scott is likely to
rank among the best pitchers of the West
ern League this season. Damon Will un-
doubtedly be back here this season, ana
with Phillips and Foreman as the veterans,
Damon to pitch to the left-handed batters
and Scott and Weimar in reserve, Indian
apolis should make stiff front in the box.
Nothing has been heard OF either Foreman
or Phillips, but it is hoped that both will
be in line by March Is.
BILLY GRAY'S SUCCESSOR.
Hoffmeister, the man who will take Billy
Grays place at third, has gone to Hot
Springs with the Pittsburg team and will
work with Watkins's men until they come
back East, when he will drop off here and
join Indianapolis. 'Watty' wants all the
men possible at Hot Springs, so that prac-
tice games may be played every day, and
Indianapolis is glad enough to have Hoff-
meister get in trim in such good company.
John Grim told Manager Allen yesterday
that Hoffmeister would be right among the
best intielders and hitters of the Western
League Lynch the catcher drafted from
Mansfield, is a big, powerfully built young
fellow with q throwing arm like that of a
blacksmith. He is not quite satisfied with
the terms offered him, but no trouble is an
ticipated when 1t comes to a final settle
ment three weeks hence. Kahoe says he is
going to put up d game this year that will
surprise even his WarmeSt friends. He is
not satisfied with his showing last year. and
is determined to improve it vastly this sea-
son. Mcfarland is more than likely to be
found in his old place in center soon after
the season opens. Indianapolis will wear
exactly the same style of uniforms as last
season. Manager Allen is kept pretty
busy these days, and from now on will have
little leisure. During the next three weeks
his correspondence and the usual work of
getting the grounds in shape will occupy
practice with his players and there will be
no spare moments for him till next October.