The San Francisco call., 1907-03-27
SEALS EARN LETUP
UNTIL SEASON OPENS
Longs Baseball Tossers Are
in Rugged Physical
Condition
By w. j. SIattery

BAKERSFIELD. March 26.-After
hungering for work while the rain did
its best for twenty-four hours, the
Seals were given a chance to go
against the strenuous grind once more
this afternoon. The entire seventeen
men, with the exception Of Spencer.
who is suffering from a cold, trotted
out TO the ball park and put in three
hours OF the sort Of work that is good
FOR a team.
With the assistance Of a couple Of
likely youths from the local high
school, two teams were made up. Kid
Mohler headed the regulars. while the
"Yannigans" were led by George
Wheeler. AS usual, class seemed 10
stick out all over the team that boasted
OF so many tried and true veterans, and
they brought victory home after nine
scrappy innings by score OF to ?.
Though IL was only a warmup and
joke to the spectators, the ball play
ers took the exhibition very much TO
heart They fought and kicked every
inch OF the way, and each man did the
best he could to win.
Wrangles were numerous-and seri-
Gus at that George Hildebrand, kid"
Mohler, Chief Esola and other head
liners commenced to nag Umpire spot"
MacMurdo when the game was noe an
inning old. They went at him so strong
that he was about to say goodby
when Mohler cut in on another decision
and released the indicator artist before
he had a chance TO resign OF his own
accord.
ENTIRE TEAM Is FIT
The game showed plainly that the
Seals were fit Their team work had
improved so vastly that they them
selves were surprised at it The in
field worked together like the pro-
verbal piece of fabricated machinery.
while pitchers and catchers were jerry
in a twinkle TO every signal that was
passed.
Though the grounds are still bit
muddy and in places unsafe for a we'll
euuipped ball team to practice on, there
was never word of protest from any
member of the team. Everybody
seemed TO forget that a false step
might mean a broken limb. 1t was
ginger and pepper from the sound of
the bell. with never a letup on either
side
For the veterans. Oscar Jones and
Henley shot 'em over the plate. One
run was scored off Jones and one of
Henley Both men had grand control
and helded their positions well Jones
showed more speed than ever and had
nice, sharp break to every ball he
pitched.
Little Hickey from Connecticut did
not have a great deal Of luck in the
box and his support was very much OF
the bush order when men were on
bases At that, the new Importation
had a lot to show the veterans. He is
a heady slabsfc~ who never worries,
but is always figuring on a new one
with which to deceive the batter.
Hogue, who helped him out, was pos
sessed Of much smoke and fairly good
control Danny Long believes this
young busher is built of the real big
league timber.
SOME CLEVER BUNTING
The Seals showed a lot of speed
beating out bunts to the first bag.
This sort Of stunt had occupied their
attention for several days past and
they are getting IL down now so well
that the plays come off at times when
nobody is looking for them.
Bill Moriarty, at short, has his wing
working at its best again For big
man, he can get over the ground. He
has a short, jerky peg to the first sta
tion that is deceptive In its speed, but
il went fast enough today to catch
the feetest footed of the "Yannigans"
every time they started.
Manager Long is satisfied now that
the Seals are ready. After one more
day Of work they will dom their bon
nets to Bakersfield and be on their
way for home. Too much toll at the
present time might prove injurious
instead Of beneficial TO the squad.
Long does not want to take any
chances.
Ii is not likely that the st. Mary's
team viii play an exhibition game with
the Seals after all. Long received a
message from Hal Chase this afternoon
to the effect that the boys would be
compelled to go straight through TO Oak
land without stopping over at Bakers
field. St. Mary's has experienced a
great deal Of hard luck in the South
and most Of the lads are disgnsted
and homesick and longing for the sub
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