The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-08
EYES ON BLACK SOX
WHAT THE BIRMINGHAM FANS
 DO NOW.
They Think, of Course, That They Have the Best of It, But All the Same They Are Watch
 ing Montgomery.

Birmingham, April 7.-(Special. (-Mem- oers or the Birmingham baseoau Asso- ciation have seen the Montgomery team Tn practice, and 1t is claimed oy them that Birmingham m has the better team, everything considered. While due credit Is given to Manager Lew Whistler, the statement is made that the Blrminenam team will give the Capital City folks something to do when the bats are crossed after the Southern League season opens up.
 The Birmingham team is fast getting into shape and the stiffness contracted during the winter is fast being worked of. The practice games being played with National and American League teams is doing wonderful work in lim- Dering up the men and getting them into shape. The games are also anording practice in the way of team work and on yesterday it was demonstrated that the players are getting together last. Members of the Cleveland American League) team. now playing seres or games here, say that the Birmingnam mighty Lejoie when asked what he thought of the Birmingham team. said. They show up right we'll" Lejoie will not play in Birmingham, much to the who expected to see the great player on the field Lejoie says that he has had an attack of pleurisy and does not care to exert himself. However. he has given close attention to the playing of his own team and that of the opposing nine.
 The local fans are growing more en- thCsiastic over the team every day At first there was considerable moisture in their enthusiasm. but as the men Wno will wear the uniform of the Birmingham club get more :n shape, they feel that they have been doing the team an in- justice.
 President F. G. Shepherd, of the Bir- m1ngham Baseball Association, who IS one
 . &A~ sxa hn that from all indications Birmingham has good team. Of course 1t cannot be ex- pected to beat teams of the big leagues, but their work as compared to the play ing of other Southern League teams with these big Leaguers shows very f1ne. MT. Shepherd says that there are no doubts but that when the League season opens Birmingham will be in the pink of con, dition and will give sharp contest to all opposing teams.
 Many or the fans" in Birmingham have been watching the reports as to the Montgomery team. While there Is nc jealousy expressed, still there IS enough rivalry to cause 2 belief that this city should have the better team. Montgom- cry has many friends here. however, and there are no few who believe that Whist Ter Is going to show the Coal Barons point or two before the season Is very old. The fact that Streit is on Whistler's pitching staff, too, Is looked on with Ia vor by many of Birmingnam's fans" According to dope readers here much
 attention is being called to Little Rock The rumor prevails here that the team | in that city is simply showing strength that is remarkable. Nashville. too. is sai6 to be right in the fight. A consensus ol opinion hereabouts is that Little Roci will be the strongest team right from the start. Nashville opens in Birming
 ham and bets are more than even tha | the visitors will take the first game though local money is coming forward | as the team gets in better shape.