The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-02
BEGIN WORK ON FENCE.
Carpenters Start on the Base
ball Park This Morning.
BICYCLE RACES AT NIGHT
Grounds Located On Emporia
Between 18th and 18th.
Work on the ball park begins today.

Work on the ball park begins today.
That Wichita will have a splendid base
ball team this coming season, and first
class grounds and ball park in which to
play is no longer a matter of doubt, but
an assured fact. Mr.. ]. Z. Alexander
has been tireless in his energetic efforts
not only to accomplish all these things but
to successfully gather a strong team such
as the city will have occasion to be proud
Of. Already success has commenced to
crown his efforts and the way is now
Clear for the elimination of his ambitions
The question of an enclosed diamond with
All the necessary accommoda tons was one
Of the early enigmas, but this is now all
arranged. Mr.. Alexander has leased
tract of ground in the north part Of town
and secured from the city the privilege Of
fencing it in and erecting the required
grand stand, bleaching boards and other
necessary. additions. The tract is 500 feet
by 300 lying between Emporia and Fourth
avenues, and extending from half way
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth to the
same point between Fourteenth and Fiji
teenth. The contracts are all let for the
mence this morning. A force of twenty
men will be employed to dig the post
holes, set the posts, put up the tight board
fence, erect the grand stand and bleach
ers, and lay off the grounds. 1t will be
known as Athletic park, and besides be-
ing an admirable ball park will be utilized
fer other sports. Plans are now being
drawn for a bicycle track around the field,
the ball diamond to be the center.
The work will be pushed just as rapidly
as possible and completed in time for the
season. The Cincinnati League team have
written for a date in the first week in
April, the day not yet having been de-
clded upon. They will stop here on their
way home from their spring trip in the
south, and will play here with the Wich-
eta team which by that time will be in
first-class discipline and practice. For this
opening event. the railroads will make
special rates from Hutchinson, Newton,
Wellington, Winfield and surrounding
towns. BY the tenth of March it is ex-
pected the park will be ready and all the
players here. In addition TO fine team
of players, Mr.. Alexander has also ar
ranged with the most noted wheelmen and
circuit riders TO appear here and one Of
the special features for the summers en-
tertainment will be evening bicycle races
by electric light.
The personnel of the ball team will in.
clude some of the best players available,
and all together will compose a very
strong team. In the list of those who will
come here and take part in the test prac-
tice ara such experts as A. S. Riggs OF
Argona, catcher; Chas. Harlan, ArgOnia,
pitcher; Patterson, Ohio state league, left
feldt Roy Johnson, Nebraska state league,
center field; Al Jacks, Texas state league,
right field and short stop; c. J. Cachard,
formerly a Wichita boy and member of
the Wichita Clippers, and later with the
New York state league, as pitcher; Van
De Wort; Kingman, catcher and out field;
Harry Ellis. Joplin, second base; Hutch
ings of Newton, third base; S. Hoyt OF
Winfield, catcher; ]. L. Currn, Fort Riley,
pitcher; Cheatam, Kingman, first base;
c. 5. Barnett, Williamsburg, second base;
and George Given, Milan, Kan, third
base.
All these prospective players will come
here and engage in the practice and after
careful observing of their work, the weak
ones will be released, and out of the re-
mainder strong team will be made up.
Ed. Hoover and Ed. Donovan of this
city and Montgomery, who has been win
tering here, will commence today their
practice work and keep ii up vigorously
until the goth when they will go to join
their respective teams with which they
have signed for the season. Hoover goes
to St Joe as third baseman, Montgomery
TO Atlanta IL the Southern league as
catcher. and Donovan to Fort Worth in
the Texas league as pitcher.