The San Francisco call., 1899-04-29

Manager Harris has made a great find
and Pop SWEET viii not get back into the
game Pop found il too great a task to
get into anything like his old condition, so
be gave it up. Last week Harris was in a
quandary. having no catcher, so in des-
peraton he signed young Charles Swim
dell of the Stanford University team for
the Sacramento series. The youngster
made an excellent showing and Harris
at once secured him for the season In
addition to being a hard hitter Swiudell is
an exceptionally strong and accurate
thrOwer TO bases, and above all he is
fast man on the paths. Hitherto this has
been decided weakness in the team, but
Hank thinks Swindell will help the entire
team in that line.
The new Oakland grounds at Golden
Gate will be formally opened next Sun
day morning by the Oaklands and SaCra-
mentOS in a regular league contest. Ewing
has secured one Of the prettiest sites in
the State for ball park. The entire in
closure Is as level as floor and the out
field is covered with luXuriant crop of
grass, which. however, is kept closely
cut. This week he Is having sawdust
worked into the soil on the diamond and
by Sunday the grounds Will be in perfect
condition.
Sacramento will present several changes
In its makeup this week. Manager
Krpp has written to Harris that he has
finally secured Harvey and that he will
probably pitch one of the games against
Oakland. Kripp has also secured a new
lnnelder, but has not made his name pub
lie yet.
Santa Cruz has one great advantage
over the other league teams in having
heavy hitting batteries. As a rule ball
teams do not rely much on the stick work
of the men in the points but DOnlin and
Balsz are exceptionally heavy hitters
while Pace can find the ball with any of
them Daubenbis, the reserve pitcher, is
also good sticker.
Krug of San Francisco continues to
land on the ball hard and often. Last
Sunday at Sacramento he put it up
against the left field fence three times
Krug is making some errors at short, but
he never thinks of his record, going for
everything in sight and covering more
ground and accepting more chances than
any other infelder in the league.
The Oakland cripples are rapidly round
ing into form again and the team is prac-
ticing at Recreation Park every after
noon while their own diamond is being
put into flrst-class condition. Donovan
has almost entirely recovered from his
Charley horse. while Billy Hammond 5
hand is about healed up.
DunleaVy, VINO spralned his ankle three
weeks ago, has recovered, and will regu-
larly play left field in place of Borland,
who has been released. With Donovan at
center and Hardin at right, where he will
be stationed permanently, this will give
Oakland one Of the best run-getting out
fielding and accurate long-distace throw
ing trio.
Fred Swanton tells a funny story of
how Donlin got into 5he. game. The big
with a companion started south TO
work the orange-gTowers. While in
Los Angeles the ball team there had some
hard luck and somebody asked Donlin If
he could play, as the team had a game on
for that day and nobody to fill up the
gap. Donlin said he could play all right,
though in truth he mad never played a
game in his life. However, he went into
right field and managed to accept the
only chance offered, an easy fly. The op-
posing team had a dub in the box and
Donlin fairly slaughtered him every time
he went to bat. Two days later they got
DOnlin into another game and the Los
Angeles pitcher was disabled almost at
the start. The captain asked Donlfn if
he could pitch and again received an af-
nrmauNe reply. Donlin was hard as a
rock and although he had never pitched
a ball before he had terrific speed and
nobody could touch him. During the game
he noticed that some Of the balls he threw
would start in a line and suddenly shoot
off TO one side. From that time he began
to practice pitching and now his curves
are simply marvellous. And he is only a
novice yet.
The following letter has been received
by President Moran Of the California
League showing that the league is now
under the protection of the National
agreement:
National Board Of Arbitration.
Washington, d. c.. April 20 1900
Mr.. J. T. Moran. Oakland. Cal.-Dear Sir:
am in receipt Of your favor Of the 18th inst
League in Class e and inciosng New York
exchange in payment in full of dues I will
promugate your protection in my next bulle-
~ n e YOUNG. President.
The franchise and league rights of the
San Jose baseball team mas been sold to
f. S. Gilbert of that city by A s. de la
Rosea and George Borchers. The price
ager of the club. The team will be ma
terially strengthened and the grounds i'm