The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-12
BY BILL AK.

There's nothing to it. the Barons can't win.
 It doesn't matter how well they play, or how hard they hit, the result is in variably the same.
 One day the pitchers are stung too hard.
 Next day the fnfielders fail to support the pitcher.
 When, on the third day, the pitcher goes at a 2:10 clip and the errors Of the infelders do no damage, luck steps Tn and drives off victory.
 There's nothing to it, the Barons can't win.
 Montgomery got yesterdays game by az to 1 score. The Barons got more than twice as many hits as did the Pretzels but what do hits amount to when the runs turn up short?
 It was ideal baseball weather The day was warm and breeze that blew per petually reminded of ideal spring, or the crisp days of Indian summer.
 Everybody felt good and everybody ex- pected to win. The players expected 10 win. Ginger Clark, who pitched the game for Birmingham, was in fine shape and felt certain that victory would be his portion.
 But the best laid schemes, as a sad Scot observed one July afternoon. often go wrong. and the fneness of the day nor the exuberanee of the players could put quietus on disaster.
 For thek first time in his long career "Ginger" Clark attempted the use of the splitter" He did everything to tempt Dame Fortune and sweet victory. He not only twirled a magnificent game but he stung the ball well.
 But there's nothing to it--!
 sammy Weems, the college lad, was Montgomery's pitcher, and he performed exceptionally well, rehecting credit on the town of his nativity, Union Springs The Barons hit him throughout the scrlmmage, but sam was there when the pinches came, and this, after all, IS everything in lump. In addition to twirling well Sam fieldeu his position in fine shape and it was whispered about the park that Ryan is already regretting that he has asked for waivers
 Ginger was never in greater shape, He held the Pretzels to four hits, but was so unfortunate as to let two of them fa.l in the same inning.
 His best work occurred in the third, when Perry led off with hit Henline was walked, and Pope was safe on Dow ney's error
 With the bases full and none out, Gin ger did some splendid work. Hassett and Messitt famed in succession and Weems went out from the pitcher to Douglass.
 And Clarke was steady throughout, but the Barons cannot win.
 The scoring was done in the first and second innings, the Barons hanging up the first tally, and Montgomery getting two across the pan immediately after ward.
 Molesworth, first up, hit safely to short was sacrificed by Manning went to third on Douglass out at first, and scored on Raubs hit to left.
 In the second Hassett started the ball to rlling with a single to center. Messitt put down a neat sacrifice. Weems went out from Walters to Douglass, and Pear son was walked. Baxter then hit safely to left, scoring Hassett. The Moose immediately after Ward dug for second, and Raub tossed the ball to Walters. Pearson dashed for tbe plate. and Walters returned the ball to Raub.
 There was a collision at the plate, and Pfenninger called the runner out. But Raub in the meantime, dropped the ball. and Pfenninger was compelled to change his decision.
 It would be just as well to close this chapter right here, for there is nothing sadder than the momentary dawning of a futile hope.
 There is nothing more tragic in history or fiction, for that matter than the water laying the feverish lips of poor Tantalus. There is nothing more disheartenlng than for the horse crowding the leader, to go down in the dust of the home stretch.
 1t would have been much better had he not inspired the fated hope, for there l.. swould not have been the heavy vacuum in the chest of the disappointed.
 And the Barons threatened to make a Garrison finish in the ninth. It was a threat. however which failed to material ize It furnished an opportunity to Man ming to win a home on his first appear ance. but he let the opportunity slip. Demont in the beginning of the ninth,