The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-29
THE GODS LOVE
 THE PIRATE CLAN Heavy Rain Floods West End
 Park A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT Fans Wanted to See Hickman Twirl. Local Gossip of Players and Fan. dom-confidenc Reigns
 Supreme.
A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.

BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.
 Man might despse the two aggrega- tons hailing from the bayous Of Louis- iana, but 1t Is evident that the gods love them.
 With Birmingham having Shreveport at It's mercy and Atlanta holding New Or leans in such a position that to defeat the Pelicans was easy down fall the droplets of old J. Pluv., and those whom the gods love were saved at the thirteenth hourl
 It was not only case of rain. With special eye to business, Jupiter Pluvius let fall a greater stream of his tears at West End. At 4 o'clock in Birmingham. the ground was comparatively dried, and a cool breeze following the rain. brought about that condition under which players like to tread the paths, snatch from the sand the red hot grounders, and pluck from the clouds the winged spheres to the gardens. However, the ball diamond was swimming in water. and all that Dad" Cook could do with a dozen drain sewers, and broad rain sweep, availed nothing. As fast as a drop was washed away, another tricked down to take it's place. The rain fell at the park for some two hours, and the fall was heavy and fast
 game was impossible and the Pirates, laughing over their lucky escape, wan dered lack to the wild and woody" out of which they came.
 Fans Disappointed.
 It was not only a case of the manage ment and the Barons receiving a severe disappointment In their hour of triumph, but Disappointment equally as great fell upon the hearts of hundreds of rabid fans. The lovers of the game in Birmlng ham flock in increased numbers on Sat urday afternoons and the fact that Hickman was scheduled to work for the Pirates, caused additional interest. It is a certainty that some five thousand fans would have seen the struggle that J. Pluv. busted. up,1 There was dlsappoint- ment all about the town of magic.
 Gathered about the street corners, the hungry fans grumbled at the weather. Many boarded cars and went to the park. These frantic fellows desired to see things with their own optics They returned heavy hearted. Robert H. Baugh, presi- dent of the local association, went to the park, because the rain had slacked fiji Birmingham. He found some feet of water stagnant over the ground, and from the grand stand there still dripped a steady stream. Dad" Cook was there. and his expression was tragic. Father Vaughn looked on, too and his frown was a harbinger of the decision that no game could be played.
 To the Finish.
 When it was settled fact that no game would be pulled off, the diapponted fans found some comfort in discussing base ball. The fact that the turning point or the crisis of the season had been reach ed was most congenal subject matter It was realized that the lead of the Barons was good, but not good enough It was realized that the road henceforth would be harder than the one trodden until this stage of the game The nerves of the fans were bunched so that shocks of all natures could be stood with tor- titude
 The fans of Birmingham want the pen nant. They will do their full duty in the | landing of the rag. The fans of Birming- ham are the most faithful in the south. They deserve the pennant. Knowing all +his President Baugh, Manager Vaughn  and the Barons making up the local team, have determined to get 1t, If it can De obtained. Every inch of ground Will De fought for. and if nerve, daring, con seryatism and skill combined can get It, the rag will fly from the point of hed mountain pole over the field of battle at West End.
 The Fans Confidence.
 Ii is really wonwerful the amount or confidence that the fans have in the locals. and especially the ptchersi TO the ordinary fan who realizes that nothing IS certain and that some games must go to the other fellows, the Barons make up | the hest team in the league, excepting none. To such fan, the Barons are tne hest players, and the best behaved Tel lows in the south. Such a fan has exact Iy the right idea. The locals are not bunch of brilliant stars, but just hrst- rate ball players, not seeking individual records
 This is the secret of their success
 Since the return of Sallee, the e,onaated twirler. who tied Fisher in a | how knot Friday afternoon, the fans nave inc utmost confidence in the ability ana s.znHg<sEsssszssEEz1Iz.sgsz9E 7Se11t.Z..