The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-20

reached the finest sort of form for the
real work of the summer.
The world-famous Cleveland all-star ag-
gregation, headed by Big Canuck'-Na-
poleon Lajoie-will play the Coal Barons
April and 3, and the Detroit Americans,
under the management of the ever-popu-
lar Armour, will be the attraction April
l. and 6.
And their playing will have to be of the
very best class If they expect to carry
off the palm of victory in the majority
OF games. That much Is apparent to the
veriest novice at the game, merely from
a study of the lineup as already present.
ed by the Coal Barons. The men already
signed by Manager Vaughan stack up
well. They are not amateurs and certain
ly ought to make good.
Improving the Grounds.
THE work of improving the grounds
has been under way some time" said
Manager Vaughan last night. I'VE have
raised the diamond somewhat so that
there will be more natural drainage. and
have placed tiles underground so that the
water will the more easily move off after
the occasional rains
There is not a very great amount of
work to be done on the grounds and
most of it is in the way of small things.
The stands will be taken in hand at once
and put into the best sort of condition,
and a number of minor changes will be
made'
League May Have Auditors.
There is a strong probability that the
Southern league, at the coming meeting,
will adopt a suggestion made by Judge
Kavanaugh. that four auditors be employ
ed to handle the receipts of the games
played by the clubs of the league.
Judge Kavanaugh's idea is that these
auditors, like the umpires, be stationed
In the towns where the games are played
each day, and that they handle all the
money received from admissions. These
auditors will make the division of money,
forwarding to Judge Kavanaugh the
leagues share. and giving each club it's
pro rata.
The plan appears good and the opinion
of the club owners generally is that it
would work very well indeed. As 1t is
now, each club needs a business manager.
This makes employment for eight men, at
large salaries comparatively speaking.
saving in money would be an important
item under Judge Kavanaugh's PLAN
Jake Wells a President.
Jake Wells, once the most popular dia-
mond hero in the Southern league and
now at the head of a big theatrical syndi-
cate, is president of the Virginia Base
ball league.
Wells stopped playing the game years
ago, after being the backstop of Mobile
and other clubs for years. He entered the
theatrical business and has succeeded so
wonderfully that he is now at the head OF
company which controls a string of
more than a score of opera houses in the
south, and has almost as many COM
panies constantly on the road.
Bob GiIks Talks.
Handsome Bobby Gilks, the mogul of the
Shreveport aggregation, has finally made
an announcement concerning his club. He
spoke at some length, the substance being
that he had signed Fred Clark, first base
man; Delaware Willis, pitcher. The deal
for Dan Lowney of Nashville has fallen
through. An eastern outfielder is being
considered who is a good fielder and hit
ter. The Shreveport club will make
trip through Texas prior to the opening
of the season.
BostonIans Coming.
Jimmy Smith has again signed to man
age the Boston Americans, and among
his players will be Cnger Young, Glib
son, Parent, Tannehll, Glaze, Murch
Dineen Stahl, Setback, and others yet to
visit to Birmingham while in the SOUTH
and announced that game would be
played with the Coal Banons March 49,
Baseball Brevties.
The White Sox under President Com
iskey will not reach New Orleans for
spring practice until after the Mardi
Gras crush Their experiences of last sea-
son were sufficient for some years, accord
ing TO the management
j. w. Holiday, for ten years with the
Cincinnati Reds and later an umpire has
applied for the position of manager of
the Little Rock club.
1T is reported that George NJ. Reed. the
old Shreveporter and who piloted Pine
Bluff to victory, will manage the Mobile
club in the Cotton States league.
Sidney Eckstone of Greenville Miss, a
pitcher with a no hit no run record, has
been signed by Charley Babb of Memphis
Henry MathewSon, a brother to Christy
is a member of the New York National
League club, having been signed to pitch
Miller Higgins, Cincinnatis rapid fire
second sacker, has purchased cigar
stand and will give the fans additional
chances to dope up.
Newt Fisher is perturbed over the fact
that the races at Cumberland park will
be in operation on the date set for the
opening of the Southern league season
Newt announces that If the races are
on. Nashville will not open the season
at home.