The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-15
BIRMINGHAM TEAM
Getting IN SHAPE
Coal Barons VIII Have Full
Team Shortly
OTHERS ARE EXPECTED
Games VIII 3, Played With the Giants
Mex. Frida, ard Saturday at
West End-other
News.
OTHERS ARE EXPECTED

The Coal Barons are rapidly getting
into shape. Every day since March i
they have trained {. West End and the
constant work is getting them into con-
dition rapidly. The practice yesterday
was the best that the Barons have had
to date, and several of the players are
showing up in better condition every day.
Manager Vaughan hopes to get his pit
cheers Into condition by the end of this
week so that three or four of them can
&c on and pitch against the Giants in
the first two practice games OF the sea-
son. Reagan, Pylant. Dessau, Wagner
ana Salee have had more than a week
work and their arms are in good con-
| dition None of them have developed
any soreness that would effect their slab
work, and Manager Vaughan will prob
able send each of them in for half a
game
Piggy" Ward, second baseman. is ex-
pected today or tomorrow, and also
Ginger" Clark, pitcher. Murdoch, the
fast outfielder from the Pacific National
League, is expected on every train. and
when he arrives the outfeld will begin to
shape UP. Dusty Miller may arrive at
any time, and Henry Lynch has been out
practicing for the past two or three days.
Practice Arrangements.
Should Ward not come in time to get
Into Fridays game It is probable that
either Moore or schiappacasse will play
second and the other shortstop. Hafford
will play on third, with Vaughan at first
and Matthews catching.
Manager Vaughan and Manager Nc
Graw of the Giants have made arrange
ments about the practice. The Barons
will go To the field at o'clock in the
morning, end the Giants will begin at
IL o'clock. The Barons will start again
at 1870 and the Giant; again at o'clock,
each team breaking off when the time
comes for the Others to commence.
II this way both teams can get as
| much practice each day as they desire
and the hours will not conflict. 1t is
probable that at times the two teams
will overlap and th@t the players of
each team VIII be on the field together,
but that will be for emily a few minutes
each day.
ssme eiftngs.
Secretary Sheppard has made arrange
ments for the drum corps COR the season.
The first banner, announcing the games
Friday and Saturday has been painted.
and the negroes have been engaged to
carry 1t around and to beat the big
base drum
A contract has been signeo by B. W.
Brumley of the Labor Advocate for the
score cards for the season. He will have
exclusive privilege, and already the pho
tographs OF the various members of the
team are being secured to ornament the
cards.
The Coco-Cola company IS secured the
refreshment privilege at the park, and
C. M. Cook will have the sale cushions,
as he has had for several years past.
| Schiappacasse has been practicing for
| the past two days and he is a likely look
Ing youngster. He is pretty fast in the
infield and also the outfield, and II he
spruces up In his batting he will make
good He is a powerfully built fellow, and
Manager Vaughan is coaching him some
on his position at the bat. II he will
stand up and meet the ball with good
swing he should be able to drive 1t into
deep outfield, for he undoubtedly has
| muscle behind the bat.
Those who have watched Frank Half
| ford for the N"st two days have been
more than ever pleased with his work.
| He seems to be a fast and sure fielder,
and handles himself nicely. he is throw
| ing we'll to first, and when the team is at
the bat he is hitting some nice ones down
the third base line.
| Otto Wagner would make a good out
| fielder. This pitcher is fast in the out
| field, and those who watched him last
year state that he can hit at least .275
In this league. With Monroe. in the Cot
| ton States league, last year he was at
the bat 146 times. got A hits for a total
of 96 bases. and his per cent was .301. He
ranked third in the league in hitting
Such a man is not to be overlooked In
an outfeld.
| The American and National Leagues
now have 1862 players under contract.
| OF which number the National League
| has 1911 and the American League III.
The combined playing strength of the
| two leagues is divided into 81 catchers,
132 pitchers. 9S infielders, and rs out
fielders. The Brooklyns lead in the
numbers of players having mailed con-
tracts to 49, while the lowest number
| Is held by three te;.ms, the Chicago
White Sox, the Washingtons, and the
| Cuakers, each having II on the pay
roll. In the matter of pitchers the Nat
ional League has 73 to 60 by the Amer
lean. Hanlon is said to have IA pitchers
on his staff. while Griffith has II. and
Collins, Nichols and Tenney 10 each.