The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-28
BASEBALL GOSSIP

Secretary Sheppard of the Birmingham
Baseball association was out for the first
time since he received a severe blow on
the head in a personal difficulty with ex-
Chief Of Police C. w. Austin.
Mr.. Sheppard has been confined to his
room for a week or ten days with a Sc
we're wound on the head. but it is d
great deal better now, and he will be
able to take up the business matters of
the association.
A number of the most prominent ne
groes in the city have petitioned Secre-
tary Sheppard and President r. II. Baugh
of the Birmingham Baseball association
to have a separate entrance for the ne
groes. II is probable that this will be
done.
1t is thought that if a negro entrance
Is made it will largely increase the at
tendance. At present the negroes and
the white people wh) sit In the beachers
have to use the same gate for entrances
and exit. and 1t has proven Objectionable
to a number.
The negroes state that in passing UNI
der the bleachers things are dropped on
them, and people eXpectorate on them
frequently If they walk in front of the
bleachers they interrupt the view of the
people sitting the lower seats and
that causes complaints.
Secretary Sheppard and President
Baugh have taken the matter'up and will
see what can be done.
Billy Smith has signed Birmingham
contract and forwarded 1t to the man.
agement. 1t is not known yet whether
the erstwhile outfelder will be a Baron
or whether he will be released. Billy is
q popular fellow with many fans here,
but there is also great deal of opposi'
ton TO his return. He played Indifferent
ball a great many times, and for that
reason neither the mana cement nor many
of the fans are anxious to have him
back.
Every time that any OF the National OF
American league teams have played IN
birmingham since the New York Giants
were here they have Showed up that
bunch Of McGraw's in a way that is not
at all complimentary TO the latter.
The Athletics had a little the worst
Of decision OF two yesterday, accord
ing to their way of thinking they saw
ed wood and said nothing. In fact some
OF them laughed the matter away, and
they let 1t pass.
Such clean and clever playing is a
credit to the Philadelphia team, and
they will receive an invitation to come
back to Birmingham next year, some
thing that McGraw's aggregation will
never get.
The remainder of the Athletics will
arrive in Birmingham this morning. ano
viii be on the field this afternoon. There
are something over % of them In all
and everywhere that they have appeared
this season they have left a clean rec
ord as being gentlemanly crowd OF
ball players
"Rube waddell, the famous eccentric
pitcher Of the Athletes, will work this
afternoon There is no greater drawing
card in either league than this same
Rube. the mighty left hand twirier
whose record last year In winning games
was sos
RUDE is the greatest southpaw of the
country according to all dope on him
Sometimes he is not to be touched by
any batsman. and again he is to the
had. He looks to be in pretty good
condition, and he is anxious to let the
Rarons down with as few hits as pos
sible
It is not generally known that the
Rarons went up against the Athletics
star twirler of last season when they
faced Coakley yesterday afternoon, but
IL is true. He easily led the pitchers
Of the Athletes In the games won.
Powers, who caught for the Athletics
Yesterday, is about as nearly an all.
round man as one could find. He catches
in great shape. watches eevry play care
fully and uses his head TO great ad.