The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-14
ARE MPROvING.
Chicago White Stockings, Are
Rounding Into Form.
Practice Down in Old Mexico
Limbering Them Up.
. FRANK ! : |. y SMITH INJURED
Pitcher Wrenehes His Knee in
a Street Tumble.
An Exhibition Game Shows a
Score of ,I2 to 2.

City of Mexico. March 1.-THE
White Stockings are still champions of
the world. In the last game with the
Mexican team at -Reforma park the
Chicago team defeated the home play
ers by the score of II to 2. The game
was witnessed by big crowd, and
there were a large number of Amer
lean residents and tourists among the
spectators.
Two base. hits-Donohue (2), Hahn,
Sullivan, Bell. Mcfarland. Struck out
BY White 1. by Altrock l. by Walsh
8. by Juarez 2. Bases on balls-On
Altrock 1. off Juarez 2. Umpire-Dun-
don.
Frank Smith, Comiskey's rough and
ready twirler, was put out of the rum
ming. 1t was not a piano that Smith
was moving this time, but his little
baby boy. In alighting from a car
rage at the hotel Smith stumbled and
fell, wrenching his knee. He probably
could have prevented the accident had
he not been anxious to keep the
youngster from being hurt. The
chances are he will be out of practice
and playing for some time.
The Sox practiced for four hours in
the morning at Reforma park, their
work being watched with interest by
mixed assembly of Americans and ma
tives Continued Improvement was
shown in the work. the men gauging
the high flies with greater accuracy
than at any time SO far.
Today a Mexican picked team will
line up against the American invaders,
and Friday a mixed team of Mexicans
and Americans will play the Sox.. On
Saturday the game will be between the
blue" and white" divisions of the
Sox, which played last Sunday in the
first contest here. A double header is
sch eduled for Sunday. A picked team
of Mexicans and Americans will play
the Sox in the first game. and in the
second the "blues' again will line up
against the Whites
Look, out for swelling of the bat
ting averages this year" said Jiggs
Donohue at one of the numerous fan
ming bees. 81 am not stuck up enough
to Drag about what I did With the
hickory last season, but there are go
ing to be some tired hired men in the
outf1eld this year.
why, you dubs who always live in
the future" ventured Ed Walsh, who
has kept a stretcher in his hat all win
ter, will be in the same 100 class
where you always were. That spit ball
will be breaking over the plate the
same as ever, only little better this
year" sat rl., 81
~ There is where I've got IAN ace in
the hole On you fellows who think you
are the whole show" retorted Jiggs.
I'll lay you a little wager and give
you odds that the spit ball will be cut
They won't have to legislate' it out of
existence. Lame arms and heavier
batting will turn the trick, and it will
be back to the curves again. Why you
will see an improvement in batting all
along the line. 1 look good for 800,
don't II" as loud guffaw went
around the circle.
,"Oh, well, you fellows are Jealous.
but let me tell you that the spit ball is
passed, as Dooley would say. 1t is to
the woods with the Chesbros,. the
washes and other cracks. The bat
tiers were beginning to solve it at the
end of last season. 1t is nothing more
than a quick breaking ball, always
low. One of these days every man will
be able to gauge it, and then listen for
the explosions.
"I guess you fellows with the saliva
and the gall won't have the writer's
cramp every time a contract is showed
under your noses. You will be willing
to take your pay in Mexican money"
and again the merry litter around the
room.
do you remember the time, when
there wasn't a batter who didn't think
that curved balls would break up the
hitting? The ms and outs are trav-
cling over the fences. aren't they2"
continued the guardian of first base.
"Weu, that's what they thought, and
there is no mystery about the spit ball.
Arson was right when he said that
there was nothing in it. You watch
the averages There will be return
to the good old days. The pitchers
have reached their limit and the bat
ting worm is beginning to turn. Just
remember that"