The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-25
SLAGPILE NOTES.

1t looks very much as if the team that
heads the percentage column this year
will have to win all its games. Three
teams have perfect record to date
and it looks as if at least two of them
have excellent chances of keeping that
percentage after todays game.
Atlanta should trim Montgomery again.
and ii birmingham doesn't put the fin
ishing touches to Nashville about 1000
fans will be very much surprised. Mem
phis hasn't such good chance to win
today, as the Pelicans are due another
victory.
Ginger Clarke will probably work today
for the Barons, and Newt Fisher will send
in Frickie or Drummer.
McGrew practiced yesterday morning
and afternoon with the Barons, and he
seems to be fast, a sure fielder and has
plenty of confidence in himself.
The recruit was not put into the game
yesterday and Manager Vaughan will
hardly put him in for some days to come
unless some accident happens to one of
the other infielders McGrew handles him
self well, his arm is good and he is grace
full in his movement.
No opportunity was given yesterday to
see what he could do at the bat, ex-
nicely at the ball.
Newt Fisher will hardly be any stronger
here than he was yesterday Punch
hnoll will not join the Fishermen until
they reach Nashville, and 1t is doubtful
if Pug Bennett will get to Birmingham
before Thursdas. So Newt will have to
continue this series with a patched up
team.
BY the time Birmingham strikes Nash
vile for the first games with the Fisher
men on their home grounds the team will
be materially strengthened Bennett
Knoll, Bandelin and Swindels, a catcher,
will be with the team, and Wiseman will
be in condition.
II haven't much to say now, but I will
have a team before the season is much
Older said Newt yesterday afternoon. Il
expect to finish in the first division and l
will finish there if | can shake this hoo
doc that has been hanging over me
Just look out for me-"
Just an idea of how little Bassett knows
about umpiring. Yesterday Norcum hit
to the outfield for single and tried to
stretch it into a double on the throw to
the plate to catch a runner. The ball was
thrown to Ward who caught Norcum two
feet from the plate. Bassett waived Nor
cum off the bag. and everyone accepted
the decision. 1t was right, but a minute
afterwards he changed and declared the
Big Injun Chief safe.
Ward had touched Norcum twice, and
Norcum knew that he was out and start
ed to come in. Another time Norcum was
given credit for a score, when he never
did touch the plate, and also ran three
feet inside the lines.
willSie Clarke certainly used headwork
yesterday when he caught Elsey off first
base and made double in conjunction
with Vaughan. 1t is not often that a
catcher is quick enough to effect play
of that kind.
No team ever made a worse play than
Nashville did yesterday when Miller's
bunt was allowed to roll into the outfeld
for two bags. Elsey, lansing and Her.
man all stood UP and watched the ball
roll between them. 1t was fatal for the
team.
Piggy Ward thinks that Newt Fisher
is the leader of a German band. and he
calls the Fishermen Nevis Little Ger
man Band" To find out the reason. look
at the caps worn by Nashville.
Wilkie Clarke's hit yesterday was a
three Dagger. 1t passed through the in
field and went on through Russell. The
ontfielder with the sun kissed hair never
touched the ball, as it made a bad bound
before reaching him. and passed through
his hands. The outfield is not as level
as the top of a billiard table. and a bail
frequently bounds badly. The outfie1der
could hardly be scored an error on the
play.