The age-herald., 1902-03-23

The first practice game in Birmingham will be played Saturday, March %, with Howard College against the Coal Barons. To give the public good chance to see what Haller has brought out the local management has decided to make the price of admission ten cents. The receipts will only pay expenses but the price is deemed high enough for the first time out.
 The Ball That Haller Hit. Here is a piece of poetry which the fans say will do to use anytime during the season. It is entitled "The Ball That Haller Hit" Reprinted with apology to some unknown person: A deathlike hush had fallen, though eX-
 citement was intense, On the crowd within the grandstand, and
 the boys upon the fense. The Fans packed on t.4e "bleachers'
 held their breath as though afraid They might disturb the quiet with the
 noise their breathing made. Angry looks from angry thousands, on
 the Umpire too were cast, And surely if they had their way, this
 game would be his last, TWO OUT, Haller at the bat, the score
 stood three and three, The pitcher smiled, spit on his hands and
 proudly bent his knee, A while, a thrust, a cloud of dust, and
 forth the leather sped. It shot by two feet from the plate; "ONE
 STRIKE" the Umpire said. The crowd showed signs of anger, but
 with features firm yet mid. Haller. full of confidence turned toward
 them all and smiled Again the pitcher grasped the ball, again
 his frame he bent And through the agitated air with light
 ming speed 1t bent This time the ball went wider still, but the Umpire called "SThIhE TWO" The angry crowd surged to it's feet, and
 the atmosphere was blue, But gentle Ialler smiled again to soothe
 the angry throng Then changed his bat for another that
 was heavy, smooth and long; You could almost cut the quiet it had
 grown so dense and thick As Haller faced the pitcher, while he
 tightly grasped his stick. One mighty swing one fearful swat and
 Hal had hit it fair And far above the felders head the ball
 sailed through the air Out into space it flew apace; a speck in
 heavens dome, While the crowd rushed madly toward
 the plate to meet Hal coming home; Hip Hip for gentle Haller, long may he
 live and thrive, The greatest batter in the world, the
 greatest one alive. He saved the day for the Barons when
 on that outshoot he lit. And the fielders never found the ball. the
 ball that Haller hit.
 Memphis has sold Pitcher Rhoades to Chicago. Cincinnati could have had the man long ago by parting with a little money.
 Dad Clark has signed with Minneapolis in the American association. The old twirler claims to be good for several sea- sons to come.
 The Cleveland club will build a new park for Sunday games some miles from Cleveland. Seven acres of ground have been secured for the purpose. Jack Doyle says that little men are better ball players than big ones, and congratulates the New Tor club on the fact that the team no longer can be called the Giants.
 Rooters From Pratt City. The following letter was received last night, and the names placed on the honor roll:
 Pratt City, Ala, March %, 1902. Sporting Editor of the Age-Herald: Dear Sir-We the undersigned. wish to be enrolled with the "Ama-gamated As sociation of Rooters." AS we are free rooters, thinkers and drinkers of Jeffer- son County, we think We can do the as sociation justice. We can secure any amount of "cow bells" and are constant users of "Sapolio." It has been Root hog, shine or die" and we have been 'Rooting hog and shining" We agree not to sit down at a ball game, even though we have perfection cushion" to plant ourselves on. If there be any openings please enroll US, and oblige. Yours for 'rocting,"
 VENUS c. LAMBERT,
 G. O. SULLIVAN,
 CLEVELAND SHAY,
 ELLIS BURWELL,
 JOHN E. ELLIS,
 WILL GEORGE.