The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-03
AN OLD SOUTHERN BASEBALL SCRIBE NOW LIVING IN AT LANTA DISCUSSES JOHN MAY RERRYs ARTICLE.

5ERRY's ARTICLE.
 Sporting Editor of The Age-Herald.
 The interview with John Mayberry printed in your issue of February 2S was quite interesting. In the main he is cor rect as to the Spaldings and Anson, but not so in his reference to the Southern league. In 1885 the Southern league was organized and played a successful season, and Nashville was a member. Birming- ham came in several years later The pennant was won by Atlanta under the management of Gus" schmelz, after a struggle bubbling over with "strenuosi- ty from Augusta by a very short nose It may interest the world of fandom in Birmingham to know that OBrien, form erly manager of the Magic City's" team, but now of Montgomery, was playing first for Atlanta when our boys broke the strain and dumped Augusta into the | soup though by quite feeble margin. The game fight made by Augusta aroused the admiration and enthusiasm
 
 south-paw, who went at once to the Bal | timore team, flung 'em over for Augusta and in many respects his work was su- perb. He afterwards became famous in the American association. His throwing to first l have never seen eXce1led. Not more than three pitchers were carried by a team in those days. and often only two. I-f ford was Kilroys partner, and an excel- lent pitcher.
 The same year Bobby" Gilks, now of Shreveport, pitched for Chattanooga and
 
 land of the Spokane Pacific National league last year, with 124 games played, 459 times at the bat, 79 runs, 156 hits, 3 home runs. 22 stolen bases and slugging average of .339. The o;ner Is Thomas, a pitcher who batted .25S for Sale Lake and was a good game winner while in the box.
 Foxy Newt Fisher will not have his team report in the sulphur springs bot toms until March 15. He may have such 0 good bunch that he does not need early practice.
 Big Red-Headed Tom Fisher has been released by the Boston Nationals to Shreveport, and Gilks' heart is glad. He wanted the big pitcher badly and he got him. Fisher had trouble in rounding into condition and Boston released him, as they had plenty and did not need him.
 Whitey Morse the crack infielder who led the Atlanta team in hitting last year, has not yet signed for the coming season, as he has a fine offer to play independ- ent ball His new contract calls for a raise. however. and the fast Atlantan will doubtless be found playing alongside of Manager Jordan before another month slips by. This young man Is a natural hitter. and is bound to rise in his pro- fession.
 The Atlanta Journal has the following about an Alabama player: From Tommy Stouch's spring headquar- ters at Tuscaloosa comes word that he has signed to manage Meridian in the Cotton States this season and has secured his release from the Houston club of the Texas league. There are no squarer, falrer men in the business than the local athlete and his mogul debut will be watched with interest Stouch Is now af- ter players and is looking for select talent. Anu Sutl Cdh itiid mn al luoNaiOOods His Alabama outlook Is the rosiest in years. From his camp he writes the Journal as follows:
 '"The outlook is very bright at Alabama this season, apd with the exception of catcher the material Is the best in years. We played four practice games last week, and the showing was good on obth sides. I weeded down Saturday from 40 to 23. and from now on we will have some hot games, as I have strong scrub team and the weather Is the finest I have ever seen at this time of the year. I have old men back, Moody and liar ris, catchers: Ellington and Hearn. pitch CTS; Redden and Chamberlain outfelders. and the new men who are showing up fine are Sanders and Chapman, pitchers; Burks, first base; Ward ;.nd Cummings, outflelders. Since I saw you last I have arranged with the Houston club to let me off from my contract, and l have signed to manage the Meridian club in the Cot ton States league the coming season, and the opening not being so far off. I will have to hustle to get good club to- gether. Cordially your friend. "THOS. S. STOUCH. Tuscaloosa. Ala"
 The following bulletin has been issued by President Kavanaugh: "The Memphis club has released Pitcher Ehret to Nashville; Players Fritz and Al Miller to Shreveport.
 "The Shreveport club has released Player Alexander to Memphis. "rhe New Orleans club places on It's claim list the name of Player Billy Phil lips.
 "I am notified by Nashville that the terms of Player O. Bandelin have been accepted
 "I have received and approved the fol- lowing contracts:
 With Birmingham-Richard Clarke, Frank Hafford r. G. Ward; with Att lanta, A. O. Jordan; with Little Rock,