The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-14

month. Delng recalled TO topeka. MS
showing was phenomenal. especially at
the stick. man can play in one town
too long. and that seems to have been
Abbott's mistake.
Jimmie Cravens is pitching for Webb
City this year. So is Bert Shaner, the
former Emporia college boy.
The Kansas State league team from
Independence Will be in Topeka Sun
day. Monday and Tuesday for games
with the Topeka White Sox-
Wichita IS worried over its pros
poets. The following is from the
Wichita Eagle: Few fans venture an
assertion ate the present time upon the
strength of the Wichita team. From
the standpoint of the critical. it ap-
pears a winner, with the exception
perhaps of two points. But little Op-
portunity has been offered to judge of
the strength of the Jobbers during the
past six weeks Games with college
teams, such as the pennant winners
have participated in during the past
month, are no criterion of the individ-
ual ability of the members
COLLECTIVELY, the infield seems a
veritable stone wall The outfeld, APP
Darently. is open to Improvement. The
pitching staff might also be strength
ened with productive results, or rather
the mum Der of twirlers increased.
Wilett and Nash are the slabsters on
whom the horoscope can be turned at
the present time Brandon has
pitched effective ball during the ex-
hibition games, but several others who
have essayed to honors on the mound
have trailed back to their respective
homes.
Tex Jones is one of the most
promising with the Jobbers. At short
he is at home. apparently, seeming to
10 hl1fff or
with Guthrie. d tail end team last
season, gave him some unpopularity
with the Wichita fans. Jones, it must
be remembered. was with a losing
ball that men with the leaders were
expected to hand out. Spirit is half
the game and Jones lacked the spirit.
"Bankhead looks good at second
base. His experience is greatly to his
advantage and 1t would be hard to
pick uD an infielder on the keystone
point. who can double faster than the
Kansas City man. His condition ap-
parently could not be better.
Cope will do his part at third base
the hardest infield position on a team.
Few realize the qualities which must
be possessed by a good third baseman.
COpe's work here last season should
give the fans a line on the defense of
the last station.
Milton last season played re-
markable game at first base and not
withstanding his threats to break into
the firing squad, will probably cover
the initial sack.
I'm the outfield, Bevis has been
working in the sun garden. From the
standpoint of a ground coverer he is
fast and sure. With the stick, last
season he proved weak. At the outset
he hit at a terrific clip but fell sadly
short later in the game.
johnson is an unknown quantity in
1-rfD mr. 7r,,
ence viii be responsible If his release
follows. During the past two weeks
he has been fielding in good form and
hitting at a fair clip. Pollock in right
field looks the best of the bunch in
form.
"Dorrety viii probably be released.
not by reason Of his fielding, but owing
to his lack of strength with the stick
and lack of experience His work in
the Outfield has been sensational OF
O'Leary but little need be ventured
His popularity probably exceIs that Of
any man on the team and fans are
expressing no worry over the backstop
position With O'Leary are Edwards
and Lyons. catchers. Edwards is the
heavier and appears to play a more
sure polished game. Both men have a
fair peg to second base and hit the
ball with considerable vim. When the
time arrives one Of the two viii proba-
bly, be held as an utility man to re-
lieve O'LeaT'y. in case Of necessity
Green is expected to arrive at any
time and will materially strengthen the
lineup.
The management of the Wichita club
is not venturing an opinion on the
chances of the squad Both Joplin and
Topeka have transferred the pennant
from Wichita to both places. innumer-
able times during the past two months
but 1t still reposes in the hands of the
Jo'obers. Cooley's veterans may launch
off at a rapid pace but old heads and
youngsters on the same team invaria-
bly, cause trouble.
.Cooley's squad is long on old heads,
and old heads to an excess are not
desirable. It is the youngster whose
ambition spurs him on who makes
phenomenal stops and hits the bali at
opportune times. He has q future The
major Lacquer in the Western Associa-
ton has none. why should he exert
his efforts to play the game in youth
ful form even though. such might be
a possibility? He never does. He relies
upon his rating, and gets the money
with the least possible work.
Watch Cooley, Andrews, Lazotte
and Bill Denmann. One thing is Ger
tain the Wichita club has the princf-