Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-04-15
COTTON LEAGUE
 BALL BELOW ?
Pitchers Not Working In Form and IniicIdcrs Playing Punk Game.

Jackson. Miss, April 14.-From all fowus in tnp Cotton States lea@de comes the complaint that pitchers are not working in their usual form; tha5 the quality of box work is yc@T much inferior 10 that heretofore prevailing in the league. even during the cary parl of the season.
 This is doubtless true, as applied to nearly every pitcher in the league. The quality of slab work has been much below the standard. and, as result. batting averages are being fat tened very early this season,
 Reasons For Bum Exhibitions.
 Two reasons may be assigned for this state of affairs. One is that the i young pitchers have not yet gained control, while older twirlers will net get into condition until warm weather arrives. What applies to the pitcher, relative 10 inferior ball. however, ao- plies with equal force 10 the lnfl@.3- CTS and outfielders. The games thus fa, played have. almost without eXcep ton. been rather ragged exhibitions Of the great national sport.
 On next Wednesday all teams in the league must reduce to the minimum ot twelve players. and managers are now getting ready to pass out the plnk slips to the unfortuntes who have fail ed 10 make good. Crowder expects to receive statements from all the mana gers that they have cOnfOrmed to the limit within forty-eight hours after April 13.
 There is still a healthy demand for good players, and when the Southern league commences the WeedinS out process the cast-otfs will quickly find employment in Cotton States lea@ue organizations.
 Jackson To Be Strengthened.
 Before the Jackson team returns from it's present nine-day road trip, it is eXepcted that some notable changes will take place in the lineup, and that the organization will be greatly strengthened.
 Irwin. the former Shreveport catch CT, who was given trial in the final game with Vicksburg, was handed the pink slip shortly after the same, and did not accompany the team to Gulf bort Irwins receivership work was all right, but he was unable to put the ball to second and it is doubtful whether he can develop a good throw ing arm during the season. Nine stolen bases were scored against him in Wednesdays game.
 IL is understood that negotiations are now in progress to secure the ser- vices of the inimita able Mickey O'Brien, who was with the winning Mobile team last year. Mickey is now out of job, according to current re- port. and, while his methods do not always excite admiration, it is, gener- ally conceded that he is one of the best minor league catchers in the country.
 May Get RObinsOn.
 Mack Robinson, a member of the Jackson pitching staff last year, and who has been taking a medical course at Tulane university, is in the city to- day. having played with the Tulane team during the series at Mississippi college. Robinson was sold to Birm- ingham at the close of the 1907 sea son. but failed to report for duty and was fined $10O. If Jackson is willing to pay this fine it is believed that he can he secured for the Lawmakers.
 There is some doubt whether Pick ems will make good on the infield He fields his position nicely, but is weak at the bat. Kellogg will probably be . fixture in the right field.