The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
BIRMINGHAM WILL
 HAVE STRONG TEAM
One of the Best ShortStopS in
 Business is Signed
LITTLE SHY ON PITCHERS
Sam Brown Has Been Traded for Billie Smith and Birmingham Thereby
 Gets Another 300 Hitter.
 o6ren Keeping Quiet.

l While the various managers in the Southern league have been giving out in formation concerning the players that have been signed and the prospect of sue cess next season. there is one individual who has remained absolutely quiet. This man Is Tom O Brien. high chief of the Coal Barons.
 For the benefit of Slagtown fandom a grapevine has been run into the private office of O'Bren, which is situated in the | quiet little town of Worcester, Mass, and if the messages are correct somebody ] will have to get up and dust to keep the rag from floating on Mount slag next winter.
 telegram was received from President Farrell of the National association yes terday stating that Birminghams right to Tamsett the crack shortstop, was ab- solute. This news has filled big hole in the team and will send a sigh of re- lief among the rooters. Tamsett is one of the best shortstops in the business and played in the American association last season. His salary will De more than was ever paid mar on the Birmingham team. He is not only a lightning-lke fielder, but hits close to 800 and has few superiors in running bases. By signing. Tamsett, oBrien evidently intends to carry out his intention of having run getters above everything else. Billy Smith Will Come.
 A letter from Manager StroDel of Tol- edo announces that the trade with Br- mingham, giying Us Billy Smith for Sam Brown, has been concluded. Billy smith has signied his willingness to play in Birmingham and so another 300 hitting fielder will cavort around West End next summer
 Fred Brown, who played in the East ern league last season, has signed a Br- mingham contract and will alternate in l the outfield and behind the bat He played with Jersey City last year, hitting in the neighborhood of 300. l Jimmy OBrien will play third. That's | all.
 Charlie Blackburn, youngster from Galveston, of the South Texas league, | has been signed as an outfeder and a | pitcher. Last year the records show he hit .3s4. He also lead the pitchers in that l league.
 Dad Vaughan will again play first base l for the Coal Barons. No comment is | necessary.
 Duffy will probably return as center fielder. but so far has not signed con- tract.
 Pat Mlle.ck will again handle the big init
 Shy on Pitchers.
 Birmingham is so far little shy on pitchers on account of the disastrous raid made by the big league. It is possible, however, that Crabell, Triton and Clark will return.
 The two holes remaining to be filled are second base and left field "A deal is on for two good men, but nothing definite has resulted up to this time.
 The latest important event in baseball. circles is the marriage of Pat Millerick. His wedding took place in Wakefield, Mass suburb of Boston. yesterday.
 Since the finish last season Eddie Law Ter has been seriously ill It is under stood he has just recovered sufficiently l to return to work.
 A contract has been signed and recorded | that binds "Skopec" alias Dannie, the | bat boy. and Dad Cook, the groundkeep CT, for another season.
 Next season Birmingham will wear white uniforms at home and blue on the | road.
 Powell Signs Players.
 Atlanta, Ga, December 17.-Manager l Abner Powell of the Atlanta baseball club of the Southern league has secured Third Baseman Cargo and Pitcher Johnson of the Nashville team Ely, who pitched for the local club last year. renewed his contract with Atlanta for next season.