The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-19
SLAC PILE SETTINGS.

Down on the banks of the Chattahoo- chee, in Georgis says Ren Mulford, win ters Cliff D. Blankenship, one of the Red pair drawn in the Pacific Coast league lottery and the only player drafted by Gin cinnati-for Overall was outside the reach of that legal lasso. The big, all-around- CT played nearly every pasition on the field at Seattle He was secured as a catcher, but in his Seattle work he was delegated to cover nearly all infield posi- tion as well as act as outpost once in V nile. Ted Sullivan, the Reds official scout, has warmly commended Blanken- ship to the favor of Redland fans. Here is the Georgians first message to his new constituents, sent through The Post:
 Columbus, Ga, January F.
 Sporting Editor of The Post 1 am glad to know that 1 have made an admirer of Ted Suliiran, for his good word goes a long way in baseball circles. The gooe little town of Columbus in my home, and I believe l am the only professional play el she has sent out, so l hope l will de- liver the goods when join the Reds, and meke the town proud of the one it did send out. Sincerely yours,
 c. D. BLANKENSEIP.
 P. s.-I will join the Reds in Jack sonville.
 Blankenship is well known in Birming ham and has a number of friends in the city. Within the past year or two there was much talk of his joining the Bh- m.ngham team, but 1t did not material ize.
 Charley Comiskey, unable to dispose of |. die MacF arland to advantage. has de- cided to give the wayward catcher an other trial. Mcfarland, who doesn't keep in the best of shape, deserted the -hite Sox in the heat of the American league pennant race last season. and Commy suspended him for the balance O. the year without pay. and announced that he would never catch another game for Chicago. He has failed however, to secure by trade or purchase a suitable mate for Billy Sullivan behind the bat, as Heydon of Indianapolis proved to1 light and so Eddie goes back into the fold, after promising to be good. No catcher has anything on Mcfarland wien he Is right.
 whats the use, when you can get away with your games without?' said Nick Altrock recently, in reply to ques- ton as to whether he used the spit ball in his business Its an effective de- livery, but too dangerous to fool with, un-ess you have to. Not only is 1t hard ball to controll, but the presence on the spi ere of a salivated, sticky patch, con- duces to errors by the infelders. More than once I've SC T Williams and Conroy make wild throws behind Chesbro. that am sure were due to their throwing fin- gers coming in contact with the moist spot on the sphere. It is also a very hard ball for catcher to handle. and if used persstently will batter up any back steps hands. There Is no denying, though that 1t is mighty hard to hit. Some day 1 may try it. but not so long as remain effective without 1t"
 Mick doesn't need to use the spit ball. :" said another American league player who has played against the pony southpaw often enough to know. When he is in the game there is no such thing as base running. There is no man pitching who e ches so many runners off first base as Altrock Being left-handed. he takes posi.ion in the box which enables him to watch first closely, and he is very fast and accurate in getting the ball over there. I don't remember ever seeing him make a wild throw to a base. With run ners on the bags he uses no long mo- ton in pitching and if they get more than about half step off the sack it's Lack to the bench with them. I've seen him catch Wid Conroy twice In one 1 game. and that's going some. His skill in | this particular keeps the runners from taking a lead and prevents them from | arnexing an extra base on an ordinary | hit It takes three, and often four singles l to get a man around when Nick is pitch ing"