The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-31
STAG PILE SETTINGS.

Harry Matthews, premier of all men on
the coaching line. favorite catcher of the
Barons last season and one of the most
popular baseball players in the South
ern league, is at Hot Springs boiling out
and getting in condition for the spring
practice which is drawing pretty close.
Harry says he hopes to have the goods
with him this year and that he will give
Birmingham the best goods in his shop.
He says:
81 am now at Hot Springs taking a
course of baths and getting in shape for
the spring | am we'll and in fine shape.
Got here yesterday (January 81 and ex-
pect to play fine ball with Birmingham
this season. Hoping you are a - we'll and
with best regards to everyone.
HARRY MATTHEW'S"
There is not one of all the ball play
ers who has worn "B" on his Jacket
that the fans think more of than this
same Harry Matthews, and on the line
there Is not a man in the south who can
arouse as much enthusiasm among the
rooters. They all hope the little catcher
will play great ball this season, as he did
last season.
Harry Vaughan, the militia; bagman and
manager of the Barons. writes that he
has signed two new men, a third base
man and another fielder and that they
are men who will strengthen the team,
who will bat well and be good felders.
Who the men are Harry says he does
not wish to state just yet, but he will be
in Birmingham within the next few days,
probably this week, and then he will give
out all the information regarding the
| team, the men he has signed and q suffi-
cient line of dope" to keep the tongues
h. r4rx1,k at
| for a week.
In other words, Harry will have team
| that will have packages of goods up
| their sleeves He has talked less than
any other Southern league manager. out
the big boy has sawed wood. He was
unfortunate in not getting two or three
| men he wanted. but he will be able to
supply their places and when spring prac-
tice opens he will have a likely aggre-
cation of hitters, feeders and slabmen.
Secretary Sheppard, of the local base
ball association has received letters
| from nearly every member of the team
! for this season who has already been
I signed and he says all of them are be-
ginning to round themselves into condi-
| ton for the spring practice. Piggy
Wards contract is In hand and he
writes that his condition this year will
be far superior to last year. and that he
thinks he will be able to hold down
the second bag in great form
Little Hennessey, the fielder Is in fine
condition, says Mr. Sheppard. who saw
him recently He is weighing about fif-
teen or twenty pounds more than he
did last year, and says he expects to
weigh more all season. as training Will
hardly reduce him much. The additional
weight Is healthy muscle, says the fielder
| ond will Innprova his playing.
| Reagan has also write and promised
to be In Birmingham soon and in con-
dition to commence the spring warming
up Both of the Clarks, Ginger" and
Cowboy" will report early according
to letters from them and both expect
to be in good condition
The signing of a third baseman and a
| fielder by Vaugan puts Birmingham in
excellent condition now. and the only
place that needs attention Is shortstop,
| and they are in communication with sew
eral men who Harry believes would hold
| that place acceptably to the Baron man.
| agement and the Birmingham fans.
The field is now complete. With Billy
Smith playing in one garden spot and
this new man, whose name has not been
announced, Birmingham will not need
anyone else as she has several pitchers
who are good fielders.