The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-16
MANAGER OF THE DREAMERs SAYS
HE'S HOT AFTER THE PENNANT.
HAS MADE MANY GOOD
CONTRACTS FOR PLAYERS.
DREAMERs WILL OPEN THE SEA-
SON IN SAVANNAH ON APRIL 20.

Ashenback Is a Believer I'm Getting
Experienced Men-Says He Wants
to Put 1t on TO His Old FOeman
Con strOuthers- Jacksonville
viii BE in shape for Exhibition
Games on ADrf1 1.
With the advent of HAPPY Ed Ashen-
back into Dixie Land the stirring of
South Atlantic League managers are
now on the diamond ready for BUSH
ness, though Dad LaRocque has not
yet reported at home plate. He is.
however, in hailing distance.
Since his return to the South Ashen-
back has expressed more confidence in
the ability of his team to capture the
pennant of the f1edgeling than did
Strouthers. Perhaps it is that Eds
reverses in the business have not been
of the nerve wracking nature as have
been those of the willy Con. Ed has
commenced to play the series already.
Ashenback and his Dreamers will
open the season in Savannah on April
try to capture the first game his Path
finders participate in. Ashenback says
his fight will be with his old time foe
of the diamond j. Connolly Strouthers
of the Grave Diggers. "Ah, but 1 just
want to throw it in to that lobster
and his bunch of dead ones" Ed. says
land when l get through with him
there will be nothing but cross bones
and skulls scattered about the dia-
mond."
Ashenback has spent the winter in
Cincinnati. He picked up many good
ones while sojourning in Redland and
is jubilant over his prospects. Russell
and Lehman will do the backstop
work for the Dreamers. Lehman is
an old timer and heavy hitting prop
ositOn. Russell is practically a new
man, but Ashenback is willing to de-
pend on him in a rub.
A Good Pitching STAFF.
Out Of seven pitchers signed, but
four will be carried. as the league al
lows each club to carry but eleven men.
Childs, one OF the pitchers, is one of
the giants in minor league balloon. He
is very speedy, and will doubtless de-
velop into one of the most effective
pitchers in the league. He formerly
pitched for Atlanta and Shreveport in
the Southern League. Jesse T. Rey-
nolds, in 1902, the most effective pitch
er IN the Cotton States League, and
last season with the champion Man
chester team of the New England
League, has also been signed by Char
lesion. He is a pitcher of experience
and his equal in fielding his position.
would be hard to find. Ralph Edwards,
has signed a contract with Charleston.
His best performance last season was
in holding the champion Manchester
team. down to one measly hit.
4 Il have not as yet decided whether
u will ask the other four pitchers I'M
or not" said Manager Ashenback. ut
strikes me in this warm climate three
pitchers ought to be able to do all the
work. Another thing I have my eye
on is a. couple of Charleston boys who
show all indications that they are de-
serving of a trial in the pitchers box.
Holt on first base, is a great hallplay-
err, and as fielder of that important
position he Will have to take a back
seat for no one. He is one of those
players that are a credit to the pro-
fession, and is now teaching school at
st. Adams. Radford, Va"
InfeId Looks Good.
Hempleman, Kuhn, Smith, Donovan
and Guilfuss are the other infielders
signed. Kuhn is player of experience.
Last season he played in the Western
League. He eXcels on the bases, hits
the ball hard, and is one of the most
original eoachers in the business. Hem
,uleman was for years Ashenbacks
able lieutenant in handling his men,
and is a brainey player, knowing at all
times just what to do. Smith is highly
recommended as a third baseman of
promise and a hard and timely hitter.
"Guilfuss looks promising" said
Manager Ashenback, land it would
give me particular pleasure to see him
make the team, as he is Charleston
boy. 1t is more than probable that he
will be retained as the general utility
man in the event that he fails to win
a regular position" nas
In the outf1eld, 'Home-Run" Donnel-
ly, Russell and Ashenback will take
care of the sky-scrapers. Donnelly is
one of the most promising of players,
and only lacks the necessary expert
ence to make him a star in one of the
major leagues. That Ashenback still
knows how to play the game and hit
will be seen by his last seasons aver
age of .S24 Russells ability with the
bat makes his playing in every game
imperative, so when not catching he
will be seen in the outfeld.
Down in Jay Land.
Down in Jayrand King Kelly is all
ready assembling his flock, and ex-
\ ri