The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-23
O'ROURKE TALKS
 ABOUT HIS TEAM
Willing to Spend More Money Than Any Other Conn. League Manager to
 Strengthen Outfit.
BETTER RESULTS PREDICTED

Bridgeport will have a winning ball team, if money can produce a winner" said Manager ORourke this morning when asked about the prospects of his team in the league. I've been trying to get the players, and I am willing to give as much money if not more than any other club to get the players. With the addition of Pitcher Whit meyer, who arrived yesterday and Second Baseman Sweeney, who is ex- pected to-day, I think the team will
 be put on good footing, ready to give the best of them a good run. Of course l am not claiming the pennant,
 but we'll be good distance from last place when the final games shall have
 'It is common talk among the play CTS of the league, that they cannot see why Bridgeport occupies last place, when they have such good men. Some nave said that we lacked team work; well that may be true, as we have lost a number of games through bone head edness, where little team work would nave won the day. It was only last Monday, before the New Haven game called the players together, and gave them only four signals which was all they had to memorize. That the boys did well was shown in many places, team play was worked and we won the contest. We tried the same thing in Hartford, and if luck ever broke for club. fortune certainly smiled on the Senators. Why, all they had to do was to swing their bat at the ball, and hit was rung up. Even Freddie Gibbs could not withstand the on- slaught. Then come along to the Hol- yoke game. Bad luck followed us in every play.
 "Runyan got two beauty hits which should have gone for homers, only they struck the netting on the left field fence. It was the first time that l ever saw the netting hit by a batted ball. All Bunyan could get on the hits were two baggers. We lost that game pire on the toe, he being too slow to get out of the way. A runner scored on the play, tying the score. Had it not been for that tie we would have won the contest. In yesterdays game 1t ought to have been a win for US.
 Tommy Kane was the sorest man ever when he gave Justice, the weakest batter on the club. his base on balls. and then let Abrogast hit safe one. And what's worse Savage, who could not hit the ball out of the inf1eld, came into play with a two bagger. After Kane had passed Justice I motioned for him to come to the bench, but he did not see the signal. I was about to call again when he let Abrogast hit. but seeing that Leverenz and Savage were to follow at the bat, let him remain, and to my sorrow, the little third baseman, who on his former at temptS could not hit the ball outside of the diamond, made a, three bagger This is only few instances of the luck in which the team is playing.
 I get the Philadelphia Press every day and have been watching the work of Sweeney, the new second baseman according to the figures he is valu- able man, and will add considerable strength to the club. Pitcher Reilly looks to be a good man, as he has the build of reliable pitcher, while best of all Gibbs. who knows him well says that he can deliver the goods If he is half as good as Gibbs. he'll suit I've let both Nolte and Hennig go, their work being unsatisfactory. In Pollard I think I will develop a good ball player. He has the build, can hit, but lacks sand when he is facing the batter. He fears that he cannot put them over the plate, which is a great failing for a pitcher. may alternate him in right field with SteinhAuser Speaking about Steinhauser, I think in him have good man. North ampton, with whom he--started last season let him go with me, as they wanted to retain Mickey Finn in whose position he was tried out. Mickey did not produce the goods and has been let go. This is Steiny's first year in baseball, and he'll make good.
 "Hi Ladd is now the captain of the team, directing the men in all the plays. From now on they will play as one. The other clubs will have to have a care. as Bridgeport will produce re-