The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-14

Another season of the Southern league dawns tomorrow.
 But yesterday it seems. the season of 1908 was opened, the season which, for the Barons, began dsastrously in Montgom- cry and concluded disastrously in Bir- mingham.
 This afternoon at o'clock the Barons go aboard the Seaboard. and five hours later will touch ground again in the Gate City Tomorrow afternoon, at Ponce De- Leon park, beginning at S:50 o'clock, the first game of the season will be played The Barons. no doubt. will face either Fisher or Castleton, while the Crackers will be served from the southside of little Grant schopp.
 On the same afternoon, probably at the same hour Montgomery will be facing the champions of last season, Nashville's ag- gregation, Memphis will be entertaining the team of Mique Finn from Little Rock, while Mobiles Sea Gulls will be en- oountering the strong squad of Charlie Frank.
 Thereafter, until the shank of September rolls around, the game will be the choicest gossip in the Southern territory.
 Very Few Changes.
 There has been no change in the cities making up the league. With the exception of Mobile, the entire membership is well known, and Mobile is entering it's second year in Dixie's major.
 Comparatively speaking, all of the man. agers, with the exception of George Reed, infa of ha bile team, are old heads. Molesworth of Birmingham and Greminger of Montgom- cry succeeded Harry Vaughn and Jimmy Ryan in the middle of last season.
 Many new faces among the players, however. will be presented to the fans. Birmingham has practically new team, Raub, Henline and Molesworth, with the exception of d couple of pitchers, are all who remain from the aggregation of last year. Little Rock, too, has many new rlayers New Orleans infield is prac tically intact Gene Demont at short, fill ing the shoes of George Mil. being the only exception Frank has new out field Nashville has it's old outfield, but two new inielders, new catcher and sev- eral new twirlers. Three of Atlanta's infielders are new to the south, Rohn at first, Walker at third and Newman at short. Winters and Moran are still in the outfield, though it appears that Bayless will beat Becker out for the other garden position. Sid Smith is a new acquisition in the backfield, while Fisher, who man. aged Mobile last season. is valuable addition to the twirling staff.
 Fast Race Indicated.
 The indications are that the teams. as a whole. are pretty well balanced. New Orleans on form looks stronger than the others. Memphis is unknown as whole but strong looking, withal. Atlanta ex- poets to be high .n the race. Montgom- cry Is bubbling over with enthusiasm. Nashville expects to repeat. but many ex- lerts doubt the naturalization of the suc- cessive triumphs of Bernhard's men. Mo bile, Little Rock and Birmingham are picked by the majority of the writers to fight it out for tail-end honors.
 So many new faces appear in the Baron lineup, however. that several of the al- Iegec experts are beginning to hedge by intimating that the BiI nIingham team is the dark horse" of the race. This hedg ing is wise many judge.
 Manager Molesworth aad local writers and fans believe Cunningham will spring d big surprise this season The local writ e~s have not enthused, nd Manager Molesworth has operated stry quietly and N cry wisely.
 Those Who Go.
 ! Manager Molesworth announced last night that he would carry the following to Atlanta: Pitchers Schopp. F'leharty Dick son, Moore and Ford; Catchers Raub and Kane. Infelders Gygli, Bowen, Ellam, Raftis and Larsen Outfelders Moles- worth, Henline and McGilvray.
 President Baugh will make the trip if possible Secretary Douglass and his as- sistant, Bob Tyson, will be along, of course. Of the board of directors. W. D. Smith will attend the opening game Many of the faithful colony of fans will be pres ent, too.
 Birmingham plays three games in At lanta.-Thursday Friday and Saturday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week Molesworths men face those of Ed Greminger in Montgom-