The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-22
BOTH TEAMS ARE READY
INDIANAPOLIS AND MILWAUKEE,
WAITING FOR "PLAY BALL"
Championship Season Opens To-Mor-
rOw-Both Managers Optimistic
De Pauw Easily Defeated.

All that now remains 10 make the open
ing of the American Association champion
ship season tomorrow a huge success Is
pleasant weather. Every other detail has
been arranged. Manager Watkins has cor
rallied lot Of players that promise to make
a fight for first place from the opening
game TO the last of the season. Enthusiasts
who have witnessed the exhibition games
are of one opinion. and that is Indianap-
oils will this season be represented by the
fastest organization in the history of base
ball in the Hoosier capital. In selecting
players to represent this city on the dia-
mond this year Manager Watkins picked
men who are not only fast in the field, but
are good batters. AS a result the Indian
apolis aggregation in 1902 will have better
batting average than teams of this city
have generally been blessed with.
The team is now down to playing
strength. Since the opening of the season
Manager Watkins has released a few men
who reported here. They were good play
ers, but it was found there was no room
for them. Meyers. Hennessey and Teal
have been released, but they were secured
by other American Association clubs.
Kuhns has caught on so WONDERFULLY well
in left that he will be the fixture in that
position, Manager Watkins announcing last
night that Shannon had been released and
signed by st. Paul. Shannon was a star
fielder, in fact there are few better in the
country, but ne is not as strong at the bat
as Kuhns. Shannon may do better work
for st. Paul, however.
The pitching staff is practically the same
as when the men first reported. Sutthof.
Kellum, Williams and Davis have rounded
into good condition, but Miller is troubled
with rheumatism, while Killen was laid up
so long with bad wrist, due to an injury
in the first game. that he has not had the
full benefit of all the training He is rapid
ly rounding into form, however
Manager Watkins said last evening he is
extremely we'll pleased with the showing
his players have made this spring.
I'm signing my team for this season."
said Watkins, which L began last fail,
the players batting records were cOnsid-
cred as much as their ability to field, If
not more 1t has been the intention to
give Indianapolis the best batting team
that ever represented this city, in addition
to fast fielding aggregation. Those who
have witnessed the games so far this sea-
son know how well l have succeeded. l
believe 1 have a team that will be in the
fight all season, and will repeat Indianapo-
ISIS history in baseball to always be near
the front. We are now ready to start the
season..
Manager Watkins will send Kelum to the
slab tomorrow afternoon, and Heydon will
do the receiving. Kihm will be at first,
Fox second O'Brien short, Babb third,
Kuhns left, Coulter center, and Hogriever
right.
The Milwaukee team arrived in the city
yesterday. Manager Clingman has one of
the strongest teams in the new association,
and he says ii is the strongest. His record
of exhibition games shows he has secured
a team that will give Milwaukee fast ball,
and will keep that city well near the front.
The Brewers boast of their three straight
victories with Cincinnati this spring as
evidence that they will be in the cham
pionship fight from the start Speaking of
his team and the chances of good support
in Milwaukee, Manager Clingman said
The showing made by my men far
| this season has pleased me and the follow
ers of the game in Milwaukee. Fans in
that city have not had chance of seeing
us play but they know by reports that we
are playing fast bali, and will support our
team. The Western League club will hard
ly be heard of after the season gets well
under way. In the opening game in In
dianapolis Altrock or Elliott will do the
/ pitching for Milwaukee"
Mayor Bookwalter will deliver an address
to the players of the two teams prior to
the game tomorrow afternoon, and he
will pitch the first ball of the champion
ship season in Indianapolis. Governor Dur
bin and his staff, city and county officials
have been invited to attend the opening
game. which will be called at $3.50. street
parade will be given before the game, leav-
ing the Grant Hotel at 100.