The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-15

The Barons returned to Birmingham
yesterday. So thick and fast came defeats
while abroad and SO many unfriendly
remarks Were heard from the hilarious
fans of Nashville, none of whom had
heard of victory before, that to be again
among friends was most soothing. The
Barons looked all about them, walked
about the streets as if every game had
been won, and then retired for a long
sleep. They promise to down Atlanta to-
day.
In explanation of the defeats of tho
road trip, Manager Vaughn had little to
say The defeats came about in natural
ways, and We're not the result of in
ferior ball playing. The Baron pitchers
worked well, and in two of the games the
Barons outhit the team which beat them.
Two of the games We're hanging to the
Baron belt, when Mccormick came along
and raped out a screamer that obscured
the local sun by cloud dense and threat
ening. Such things are natural in base
ball. and are LA BILE to happen al any time.
They are not accidents, because they hap.
pen every day.
The AIcock Problem.
Manager Vaughn has a special problem
to solve, and the solution will take much
study and care. 1t is about Alcock. What
to do with him is the question. 1t Is
realized that lie is lad of promise, his
work at times being brilliant. 1t is real
lied, too, that he has a vicious swing
of the bat that often sends screamers to
the outfield scoring runs. 1t is believed
that he will hit harder if he played regu-
larry, than Montgomery, Walters or Oy-
Ter.
Alcock, it is argued, is cratic and at
times is unable to hold his head. He flies
into the air. This is natural, but an en-
ror that is easily remedied The fans
must remember that Alcocl is played ir-
regularly; that now he figures in the
outiield, now he is worked about second
now he is switched to third, and now
he is expected to work like a veteran at
short. And it must be admitted that in
every position he has done fairly WELL
Now, the question is, 'if The played reg
ularly, would he be strong enough, after
enough games have been gone through,
TO calm his nerves for Southern league
team which intends to stay in the first
division?' There are many fans who think
that he would. Meek thinks that he
would. Then, il this question is answered
i'll the affirmative, what should be done?
The Other Side.
The problem is II great one and its
luton must come only after more games
have been played, and more dope on the
player brought to light. Alcock's stick
work must be considered. Unless the old
er players settle down and show form,
Alcock is too valuable to keep his bin
giles under Il players bench.
Manager Vaughn realizes that the prob
lem is before him, and will solve it in a
way which he thinks will bring best re-
suits. 1t is pointed out that the pennant
was won last season with the team as 1t
is. 1t is probable, too, that a first di-
vision berth, at least. can be landed an
other season. The manager states that
he is figuring, and that he will act when
the time is ripe. Alcoclts recent work,
In which he has stung the ball as well as
make several errors of the rottenest type,
some of them losing a game, has been
closely followed by the fans, who have
walked up TO the fact that a permanent
change in some direction may be brought
about in the near future.
Some Improvement Needed.
In the Nashville series the Barons, while
having been defeated. showed that they
had the proper stuff in Them. They stung
the ball hard and fielded nicely. The
pitchers worked well. While it was a
combination of luck and good fortune on
the part of the Nashville crew that beat
them, the fact remains that they were
beaten, nevertheless.
The Barons have not been stealing bases