The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-12
COAL DARONS PLAY
 REDS ID 4 FINISH
Game Resulted in a Tie, Score
 Standing 5 to
WHEELER IN GREAT FORM
Local Boy Tried Out as Pitcher and Makes a Great Hlt-BlrmInnham Played Rings Around clncin-
 natl With the Stick.

Joe Kelley and his red-hosed tribe got Q run for their money from the jump yes- terday, and but for an unfortunate bungls in the ninth would have been sent home leaving a big bloody scalp dangling from the slag pile.
 With the score tied at the end of the ninth the game was called, as the Gin cinnatians had to catch an early train for home, where they play their first game to the home fans today.
 The to 5 record looks close, but 1t does not indicate how O'Briens bunch played rings around the big leaguers when It came to beating the leather square on the nose. Birmingham outhit them at all stages of the game, and orr dinarily would have won the game with ease. Pitcher Clarke failed to field a slow grounder in the ninth, and as it came to Lawler too late to handle, Dom lin reached first, and a few minutes later scored on fly out to center.
 Wheeler Makes Great Hit.
 youth by the name of Wheeler, no one knowing from whence he came or whither he goeth, asked for a trial as a Bir- mingham pitcher, and as oBrien was a. little shy on twirlers in good condition he awarded this young man chance at the big leaguers The crowd watched the strange young pitcher with many misgiv- ings as he walked in the diamond wear Ing a golf suit and a small skull cap.
 Wheeler opened up with few stiff ones, and In a few minutes the crowd tumbled What he did to those red-stock- inged boys was an abundance. Kelley and his tribe were moved down like chaff be- fore a Kansas breeze, and in three in- nings were all off to Wheeler. To make 1t strong the boy without a record cracked out a single with three men on bases, and a moment later laid one up against left-field fence with a three-base label attached. In running over first bag he stumbled and fell, and then got up and trotted to second base. The next in- ming he retired in favor of Clarke.
 Is a Local Boy.
 Later investigation developed that Wheeler is a local boy and a son of MT. Wheeler who formerly ran the Florence hotel. He lives at Eutaw, Ala, where his father Is now engaged in the hotel busi- ness. Three years ago he went to the Philippines and began pitching on one of the army teams. When he returned to the United States he pitched few games for San Francisco and then came to Bir- mingham. He has recently been training the Southern university team.
 Aside from Wheeler's spectacular per formance yesterday the Barons furnished many things for the fans which kept the grand stand and bleachers in a continu- ous uproar. Jimmy O'Brien played great ball at third and Millar, Leighton and Duffy kept things lively in the field. Mill lerick had his first trial on first base and he knows the job from top to bottom. In the slang of the streets Ines there with the goods"
 The Birminghammers hit the ball hard and often, and, as Ren Mulford says, If we can do that against the weaker teams there's no use going far to find team in the race for the pennant.
 Trouble for the Reds.
 Trouble for the Reds began in the sec 
 cut one out for two bags, and Mcguire was allowed to walk. Brown reached first on a beautiful bunt and 1t began to look jolly The rooters stood up in their seats and pleaded with Wheeler to line 1t out. The unknown pitcher crack ed one of Pools best on the round side ai.A sent 1t into r.gh. field for a single, scoring OBrien. Duffy flied out to Don lin and Mcguire was caught at the plate. Lawler then struck out and ended the fireworks Birmingham scored again in the fourth on Browns beautiful two bag ger over third bag and Duffy's line drive over short.
 Cincinnati began business in the fifth, and Donlin. who was second up, hit long one out to left which went past Millar, netting the runner just three bags. He scored a moment later on Beckley's long fly to Leighton.
 Wheeler Hit for Two Bags.
 In the sixth inning Brown, who was first up, flied out, but Wheeler still had blood in his eye and whacked up against the left field fence for two bags. Duffy followed with another two-sacker scoring the pitcher. Lawler went out but Leigh ton had one more left in him and scored Duffy on a crack over short. Two suc- cessive hits in the eighth allowed Cincin- natl to tie the score and the rooters set tied themselves for a garrison finish. They got all they were looking for. Millerick. who was first up, hit hard one, which Corcoran fumbled, allowing him to anchor safely at first. Miilar followed with beautiful sacrifice. advancing Millerick. O Brien grounded out but Millerick reached third. It was now up to Mcguire and he promptly delivered. A sharp drive sent the ball into right for a single and scored.
 Heart Disease In the Ninth.
 Cincinnati came up for her try with the stick and several persons were immediate ly stricken with heart disease in the grand stand. Morrisey, who was first up. connected safely by sending one roll ing down the infield. Clarke should have