The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-07
Wordsworth Discusses Passing
of Muscle, Speed and Fleet
ness of Foot
SAYS MONTGOMERY TEAM
ONE OF MUCH PROMISE
Talks of Barons and Their Chances.
News of Turner, Lister and Oyler.
Praises Walters and
Vaughn.

THE day in which muscle heetness of
foot, and speed of arms, was deemed
essential IL not absolutely necessary, has
passed as concerns baseball" stated
Charlton Wordsworth, the Baron center
fielder. yesterday afternoon. Science has
taken the place of everything else. The
players must play together, each willing
to sacrifice personal records for the good
of the team, and working to an end that
a run might be brought across the plate.
The day in which the speed merchant
was the most effective pitcher, Is passed,
too. Head work is everything.
Last season. for instance, look at the
BaIpns, the pennant winners. There was
not man who was exceptionally fast on
bases There was no Houtz, no McCann
no Niles, no Lay. No one of our four
pitchers depended on great speed. There
was no 800 hitter ON the team. In spite
OF these facts, we won the pannant. Every
man played for the single purpose-that
a run might be made. We had four eX-
celent pitchers, and tWo-thlrds OF the
opportunity for winning depends on the
pitchers. He alone can prevent drives to
safe territory. Then we had man be-
hind us all who knew the game. Vaughn
is an exceptionally smart man in base
ball matters.
II see that the team next season will
be practically the same. The pennant
winner will finish just above the Barons,
II the Barons do not land the rag again.
Montgomery looks exceedingly strong to
me. Hsusen and Anderson are good
catchers. Biggers, l understand, is fine
first baseman You will see Bill Evans
bacl. on second, and Perry on third.
Busch will play short. That is fine
infield In the outfield the Pretzels are
exceedingly strong in Mccain, Apperious
and Houtz. There Is no better trio In
the entire league. They are all fast men,
good kitters and splendid fieders. For
pitchers there are Malarky, Maxwell,
Walsh and others. IL Malarky Is a good
manager, you will hear more from Mont
gomery
II feel confident, however, that Biz
minlham VIII see some eNcellenl DaSe-
ball this season played by the Barons.
In discussion with Billy Smith( while
was in Atlanta the other day, | learned
tina Pitcher Turner is fine youngster.
one who will deliver the goods in healthy
packages this season. He will fill out the
OLE quartette of tchers. Wilhelm, RAJ
gan and Clark I'LL, of course, be the
mainstays l have heard, too, that our
new man, Lister, first baseman, is a
peach, Speaking of your second base
man, I would rather have Lew Walters
in the field than any other man of whom
| can think. He outclasses Jordan as a
fielder two to one. lie is always safe and
the same every day during the season.
In this, Lew is of especial value. Oyler' 5
contract was received this afternoon. He
will be better this season than ever be-
fore. All in all, | see good things ahead"
Wordsworth did not talk about the out
field, in which he. Smith and Gardner
will appear. This trio is considered by
local critics the best in the south. They
are fine in their positions, and are all
good hitters.