The Savannah morning news., 1904-04-21
PATHFINDERS HAVE LEARNED TO
PLACE THE WOOD TO BALL EARLY
GREAT swATTqNG FESTIVAL YES
TERDAY AT SUNNY JINrs EXPENSE.
EVERYBODY HIT THE
BALL HARD AND OFTEN.


SayidRe Shut the Ynnnigans Ont in
the First Game He Has Pitched
This season, Though He Was in
Bad Physical COnditiOn-Last EN-
hfISatfon Game Before Opening
Day will BE Played Saturday
with the Y. VI. c. A. Team-Um-
pires Have Been Assigned for
Duty for the Opening Series-COn-
nOrs VIII Omciate In Savannah.
Dads bunch of Scouts are rapidly
getting their eye on the ball, and dur
ing the little matinee out at the park
yesterday there was explosion after
explosion as the Regulars lined up
to the rubber, with swatting instru-
msnt in hand and determination in
heart
Sunny Jim Ittig, feeling a little in
the rough, tossed the sphere at the
grand stand netting, and every time
It circled towards the rubber some en-
ergetfc swatter was right in pace and
put the wood to it in the latest i'm
proved style.
There was great display to the col
lection of singles and doubles that
the Regulars worked out. They sent
high ones far out and high ones close
in, with an equal distribution of hot
ones on the level, that saved the park
keeper any extra work in removing
the grass in the immediate path of
the sphere.
Boys Hit All Right.
Bratton got two good safe ones, one
being a double, Burt got two singles,
Ray got one. Eggert got one, Oyler go
two, Johnny WEIGH and Con Welsh
each got one and Webster sent several
hard ones out, but got the worst Of
good fielding on the part of fleet-foot-
ed Yannigans.
With all of the hammering that was
administered the fans began to awake
10 the idea that at last, yes, at last
the boys have commenced to work
with the wood as we'll as with the WILL
True, Sunny Jim did not extend him
self, but his delivery was puzzllnS
Enough to make an ordinary batter
guess a good deal.
s.sle Regulars won by score of some
q zen or more to nothing. The Yam
?. !gans were in poor form, spilling err
.ors here and there over the lot, until
they were too numerous to keep count
of. They became disheartened in the
third and no amount of cheering words
from the bleachers could bolster up
their courage again.
BIenchers shivered in Cold.
The cold winds that swept across
the park tested the loyalty of the
bleacherites. But they stuck through
the nine innings, hoping to see a bat
ting rally on the part of the under
ones, which would place them up dan
gerously near TO victory. But Savidge
was too foxy and kept them all well
In hand.
Physically, Arthur Savidge, one of
the headiest pitchers in the minor
league ranks, was in bad shape yes
terday, and the first ball he sent
whizzing over the pan caused him
considerable pain. 1t was the first real
workout that Savidge has had, and
despite the fact that he was almost
lame in his shoulder he did excellent
work. and was puzzling at all stages.
Those who saw his good generalship
have little doubt as to his ability to
hold his own in the championship Sc
ries which will open on the 10Th.
Webster is still showing improve
ment, and is getting his wonderful
throwing arm in excellent control.
With plenty of hard work to put him
on edge Webster will be able to be
a scratch man in the league race for
catchers' averages.
Last Game To-day.
The last game OF the series between
the Yannigans and the Regulars will
be played to-day, commencing at
4:S0 o'clock. There will be no charge
for ladies'. General admission will be
IL cents, including grand stand.
On Saturday afternoon the last ex-
hibition game before the season opens
s will be played with the Y. M. c. A.
lteam, with Harmon in the box. To-
borrow the boys will ge given light
work, and on Monday light work win
be engaged in before the flying start
= that the boys expect to get Tuesday,
when Ed Ashenbaek and his bunch
of Sea Gulls come over to assist in
the opening ceremonies.
The line up in the opening game has
been almost definitely decided on. Con
WEIGH will pitch, Webster, catch; La
ROGUE, first base; Bratton, second
base; Eggert, short stop; Oyler. third
base; Burt, left field; Ray, center field
CIV JdLNA VI NNAS4ls AA5hN ASids
COnnors viii Umpire Here.
Umpire Charles Connors will umpire
the first series to be played in Savan-
nah, coming here direct from Philadel-
phia. Mead will ofiiciate in the open
ing series at Augusta, and McNamars
at Macon.
The work of decorating the park fol
opening day will be commenced early
Monday morning. Painting will bC
commenced to-day.
Owner Boyer is now making arrange,
be put on the streets Tuesday. All
of the players, and several prominent
citizens, in carriages. will be in tn,
parade. which will be headed by {
brass band.