The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-11
FOUR PLAYERS
ARE RELEASED
NORTHERN LEAGUE GETS MEN
FROM MANAGER WATKINS.
Martin, Koukalik, Converse and
O,Rourke Are Released-McNichol
VIII Be Retained as Utility Man
Watkins Is Enthusiastic Over Lud-
wigs Work-Katol in Fine Shape.
Rnacial to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Champaign, Ill, April 1.-THE un-
expected happened yesterday, and four
Minneapolis ball players have now Sc
cured berths with other teams. The
change was due to the appearance
Duluth team Of the Northern league.
He persuaded Manager Watkins to let
him have Martin for his manager,
captain and second baseman. With
Martin goes Koukalik, who will pitch
this season for Duluth. Converse
perior. The effect upon the players
here has been one Of sorrow, as they
regret to see those four popular team
mates leave them tonight, when they
probably join their future teams. Their
4 absence, however, makes the lineup
of the infield and outfield now an al
most certainty. Lally will hold down
the first sack, Captain Fox will be at
second base, Oyler at shortstop and
Demontreville at third base.
McNichoI, who has been batting ex-
cellently and fielding well, will be the
utility player. Maloney in the right
field, Sullivan In center and Coulter
in left garden will make UP the out
field, which promises to be the best
In the association.
The three catchers are still with
the team Ludwig will be the main
stay. O'Leary is now being worked
out much more than Roach and he
will probably be retained. Katoll,
Case, Ford, Owens, Thomas and Slim
mel Of the pitchers are now here and
are rounding into fine shape. Munich
arrives Tuesday in join the squad, and
Bailey, who Is now a student at a
medical college at Columbus, will be
in good shape when he meets Man
ager Watkins at Fort Wayne Satur-
day.
Captain Fox will being playing with
his men to-day and the permanent
lineup will be put into the field for
the remainder Of the games here. 1t
is Manager Watkins intention to give
his men a severe work out this week
and if possible to have all in shape
when they begin the series Of four
games at Ft. Wayne Saturday. When
his proteges line up against the Toledo
nine, week from Wednesday, he ex-
poets them all to be In capital condi-
ton. He said last night, that he
thought no pitchers would be released
before thirty days and that the extra
catcher might possibly be dropped just
before leaving here.
The players spent to-day resting
from very hard weeks work. Man
ager Watkins deemed rest better
than any kind Of work. The weather
indications are now good and the out
look for this week is a most promising
one.
In commenting on Ludwig's work
last night, Manager Watkins said: "By
the time the season begins I will have
taught him all the finer points Of the
game. He is now doing fine and gets
into the game at every possible
chance. All Of the players are will
ing to learn, and in fact they are the
most willing bunch have trained for
many years. Case is doing fine twirl-
ing. He Is in the best Of conditions and
is practicing a slow ball, which will
probably be a winner. Katoll now
weighs 1914 pounds stripped, and he is
not only at his best, but has worked
with the younger pitchers and given
them several valuable pointers
The Minneapolis team did not go to
Springfield Saturday, receiving word
game. The contest here with the var
sity was postponed for the same
reason.
The surprise Of the day, Saturday,
was Jack Katolls fine pitching. His
arm does not trouble him at all, thus
far this season, and the way he has
been throwing causes Manager Wat
kins to predict great things for his
big favorite, who he thinks will even
surpass his record in the big leagues
few years ago, when he was right.
Baseball Games Yesterday.
st. Paul IL, Bloomington (Three-D Z
Chicago (American) 8, Omaha yves
tern) 4.
st. Louis (NationaD II. St. Loui
(Amerlcan) g.
Pittsburg 4, Kansas City I.