The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-19
HOLLAND IS BUSY
Wichita Manager Orders JObbers
to Report March %.
First Game Will Be With Wash
ingtOn Team.
LOTS OF YOUNGSTERS.
Men of Experience However Are
Needed i'm Peerless Burg.
Extensive Additions Will Be
Made to Grounds.

wichita, Kan, Feb. 19.--When the
brides begin to twitter in the treetops
and the last icicles announce its col
lapse with a splash, training season
will be on. So far Wichita has % play
ers to tryout for the various positions,
which indicates that If the Western
League older teams want any grapes
they will have to reach high for them.
March rs the first roll call will be
observed. Cole, one of the bidders for
the left field job will pack his grip at
Erie, Pa, while Brennan. another, will
purchase a ticket from Portland, Ore.
Pennell, the other left fielder, is in
Texas.
Holland has sent out notices to all
the players to keep in good condition.
1ndividuaHsm will last just one day
there must be team work in the mass
by March 27. Washington arrives that
day for two days stay and Wichita
Will try to make the showing it did last
year against the team.
Although the atmosphere is still
coated with chill it is but two months
until Wichita's first Western League
team will be assuming definite shape.
But before this many things have to
be done in preparation.
First OF all, extensive improvements
must be made on the grounds. When
the first game of the championship
season, which is April %, takes place
more complete park than it had before.
Instead of two medium sized grand
stands there will be one large one. A
couple of thousand or so more fans
may squeeze in it when the mercury
threatens to run out and spill all over
the thermometer. The back fence will
be moved. The diamond will also go
south further to the sorrow of the
home run hitterS.
The Wichita team, Notwithstanding
its array of promising talent is in a
maze that would make a London fog
in the winter think it wasn't smoky.
There are yet four players to be secured.
Maybe one or even two of them will be
developed. If this be the case there is
enough surplus talent to get two star
players.
Wichita's crying need is a first-cIass
catcher. Wichita fans would give him
a greater welcoming than Noah did dry
land. With Weaver. Wichita could go
in the race to make a strong bid for the
pennant.
The pitching staff, like little Will
lies trousers, needs a few opportune
patches. A left-hander is needed bad
ly. Bolin is scheduled to go principal
ly because he doesn't like the grazing
on the local pasture. Bolin ought to
bring a good offsider in exchange. with
a good left-hander the staff ought to
work we'll
Wichita also needs a first sacker
With Holland on the bench ready to
always doping out the opposing teams
weaknesses, the local end of the game
ought to go stronger. Then, too, with
Isbell away and having the manage
ment, captaincy and business end of
the game to look after, Holland will
have his hands full and his arms load
ed, without playing part.
Earl White, former high school
player now with Fairmount, will be a |
tryout for the early pillow. White |
nay not make good-he probably won't |
but he has a good assortment to look |
)ver. He has a good batting eye, is a |
luick thinker, works faithfully, covers |
cads of ground and is a natural base
unner. One would think that these
would be the only needed qualifications
# a player made to order. They proba-
ly would. But White lacks league ex-
erience and it's a long jump from a
chool team to class A league. How
yer, Hendrix, another Fairmounter, |
1ade just such a jump last year.
Another local youngster that will
ear inspecting is Charlie Charter.
,harter weighs 1856 pounds, although
e won't get a chance to vote this year.
lie has strong arm and a large as
His former draWback-wild-
ess-seems to have been overcome dur
lg the last year. With Valley CenterI
asst year he won u games, lost two
nd participated in there tie-scores
Holland is to give Charter a tryOut