The St. Louis Republic., 1903-02-17
DOnOvans New Infelder Is
Anxious for the Spring
Practice to Begin.
W0ODL0CK TO GO TO MEMPHIS.
BrietenStein Wants the kerry
Patch" Boy to Fill Vacancy
Left by Otto Williams of
DOnOvan's Brigade.

Otto Williams. the Cardinals new infielder
Is very much elated over his prospects of
becoming a regular member of the team.
He stated to the writer yesterday that he
had every assurance from Mr. Robinson,
while he was here. that he would retain Kim
to cover an nfiold position.
Williams said that he was going South
with Donovan's squad for spring practice
The North ST lie boy is Il glutton for work
and has already started TO prepare for the
season.
Williams takes long walks every morning
and SPENDS several hours each day in one o.
the local symna Sums. The work is having
beneficial effect on Oito's health and he
states that he is in fit condition TO play ball
at the present time, II the weather per
Harry Kane. the st. Louis roy who is 20 h
a member Of the Pitsburgs pitching staff
this year, is beginning TO tahe ga weigh,
The additional avoirdupois should help him
a great deal this year. as Harry was q tr lie
too light for fast company last year.
Mike Wocdlock. WHO was a menb-r of the
schenectady club of the New York State
League last year. may become a rlemSer
League this SEASON. The Memphis club is a
present negotiating with The Co.Umbus ciup
OF the American Association fer " oodioc<'s
purchase. If Memphis secures Wocdlock he
Will take Otto Williams's place al short
field.
Speaking of Mcfarland. the Cardinals
new pitcher. Billy Kane, of the cnanp. on
Buttes of the Pacific Northwest League. re-
Gently said that Mcfarland is one of the
lost pitchers he ever knew.
Kane claims that the youngster has the
necessary amount of speed to make good in
Cardinal uniform and says he would not
be surprised II Mac proves one of the finds
OF the year. Kane played against Wigs.
Hickey and Stovel last year, three pitchers
who will be tried in stylish company this
favorably with any Of them.
Manager James T. Hayes of the Daven-
port club Of the Ill League proposes a
unique change in the playing rules which.
II adopted at the coming meeting af the
Joint Rules Committee, will revolutionize
Hayes proposes that eight men do all the
batting. He thinks that it is a waste Of
ing to Mr. Hayes the pitchers do enough
work while in the box, and ne believes it
would be humane act to allow them to
rest during the time their side is at bat.
Speaking OF the proposed change President
Hart Of the Chicago club said recently:
When the time comes, that the rule
a substitute to go to bat for him, then 1
want to quit the game.
anchor a pitcher on the BENCH or n
ued the Mayor of Bond Hill. 'and conf le
his part of the performance to the slab
and most of the interest would be taken
out Of the game for him. Why, the major
and to them batting is the most pleasurable
part of the pastime. I'd rather go to bat
and strike out four times than not have a
crack at the other fellow; 1t doesn't seem
credible that any such idiocy as that pro-
jected change is really possible.
And it isn't. Of course. Every once in
awhile some radical amendment is sug-
gested, cussed and discussed. and then
passed up without action. This idea of rob-
bing the pitcher of his turn at bat is one
are born In the bughouse. They afford top
les for midwinter fan talk. 1t takes nine
men to play ball,nine on the inside as well
as out-and while the twirling contingent
is not considered of 3S caliber when 1t comes
to swat work. there is no more reason why
they should be EXEMPT from taking their
turns at bat than there would be for count
ing. out the backstops because the majority
Of bis-mitt artists hit below 200.
There Is always a delightful uncertainty
Willis is not hard hitter. and vet he has
done as much with his bat toward win
ming the games to his credit in the past
as any Hubte striker: There are fans in
Chicago who can doubtless recall the extra
inning battle that stu Blll Hill once won
head in the thirteenth or fourteenth inning
Nothing more unexpected than those feats
could be surmised, and no rulemakers are
principle of play that was Graded with the
game in its infancy. Billy Harts protest Is
interesting. and doubtless reflects the senti-
ment of the pitchers. who do not want 20
be turned into mere throwing machines.
"The" Brietenstein departed for Memphis
last Saturday night Brietensteln is goirg
down to look over the baseball situation in
the river town. and incidentally to enjoy
a hunting and fishing trip in some of the
Tennessee streams.
Jack Grim of Portland has signed Stats
Davis for his new Portland team
That antique piece of baseball furniture.
DUSTY Miller. is still upholstered He has
been signed by the Memphis team, and will
have for company Red Ehret and Theodore
Brietenstein, with whom he formerly played
at Cincinnati
Patsy Donovan will. in all likelihood have
his Cardinal hose brigade do their pre-
liminary training at Dallas.