The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-27
BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR BASEBALL FANS Kavanaugh Greatly Pleased With Saturdays Meeting GOOD PLAYING EXPECTED o'Brien is Proud of His Team and Ex- poets to Set New Pace in Mont
 eomery-Fisher is Sat
 isfied.
GOOD PLAYING EXPECTED
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, February 26.-(Speeial)- They are off The baseball season or 1905 Is just as much on as it will be on the opening day in April The spring meeting of the Southern League held here yesterday unbottled the pent up en- thuslasm of the lovers of the sport and the healthful and salubrious sunshine of today completes the unfettering of the winter season.
 From now until the first call of play ball" on the field is there will be long ing in the hearts of the fans that only the crack of the willow and the yells of the bleaehers will satisfy. 1t is the eoh- census of opinion among the ball mag mates at the meeting that the best ball playing In the history of the south is to be provided this year.
 That President w. M. Kavanaugh of the Southern League is due @ large share of credit for the good shape baseba, Tn the section finds itself now, none deny and is hardly guess-worll to predict that he will use every effort during the year to raise the standard. Evidence of the confidence of his fellows has been shown in many ways, especially within the past few months. He Is trusted abso- lutely to see that no violation is made of the salary limit rule. He made the schedule for this season and advised the contracts for printing and balls. This is gratifying for it presages a free hand for the executive in the handling of the many difficult subjects that come up from time to time among the clubs and players He will be enabled to suppress rowdyism and maintain order and to render the games at all times fit places for man to take his wife or sister.
 Fisher Makes Kicks.
 As was expected Manager Fisher of the Tennessee capitor club made a few l3sty kicks, but what would the league be if 1t did not have Fisher and his hammer? He enjoys it, and the others do not seem to worry. It was reported that he was loaded on the salary limit question and was going to make a play for the restoration of blacklisted Billy Phyle. but he got neither of the up at yesterdays meeting one hears. One story was to the effect that he wanted every player to swear to the amount he receives each month He did get his opening dates changed from Nashville because of the races, and secured few less games on tho road than were at first allotted to him. It is a fact, though that Newt Fisher is a "corklng'' good fellow anyway. and all sorts of a bully" ball player, according to the small boy adherents of the sport.
 Pleased With Reserve Rule.
 President Katanaugh is greatly pleased with the adoption of the non-reserve rule ...l. reserve of the league to sS000. The first will give relief from signing men at high prices and leaving them free for the next reason, giving the more prosperous clubs great advantage over the smaller. The second will establish the organization on a more permanent basis, and give it new strength and dignity. Every man here looks for clean baseball this year. and the sentiment from every direction seems to indicate great success for the clubs.
 Montgomery Looks Good.
 'The Montgomery club looks good" in the eyes of Manager Tom OBrien He thinks the crowd he has gathered will do both him and the city proud. It is fact, however, that he is light in one or two places, but he will try to fill these in. Mullaney will do first, Charley Schwartz. field captain, second. and Brouthers third. Lowney will be at short if he shows up, if not Shannon or Bush. the one to make good, landing in the position permanently. Dellehanty and Molesworth of last year, and Barry, a New York State league man, will hold down the outfeld. Hale Gilbert Daniels. Garner and Brandt will begin the season as pitchers, while Man ners and Millerick will do the back stop duties. If that crowd don't play rings around most of those who get in the game with them Tom OBrien is going to be very much disappointed.