The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-06
Interest in the Teams Outside
of Topeka.
Sioux City Pennant Winners
viii Remain Intact.
HOLMES AT THE HELM
Recognized as One of Most Crafty
Managers.
His Team Includes Many Excel
lent Players.


AS the Western league season ap-
proaches interest in Topeka is attracted
to the clubs from other towns and what
will be expected of the locals in meeting
the new and foreign foe from Western
league towns. Interest in the Sioux
City team is especially noticeable as the
Packers with Ducky Holmes at the
head Won the pennant last season after
an exciting finish with the Omaha
team.
Holmes is one of the craftiest man
ayers in the Western league. He is an
old player himself, having been with the
big leagues for many years, finally
closing his career with the Chicago
White Sox. When Lincoln was admit
ted to the Western league in 1906,
Holmes secured the franchise. He
managed the Lincoln team two seasons
and finished second both years. Last
year he purchased the Sioux City
team, leaving Lincoln because Sunday
ball was not tolerated in that town. He
is unpopular in the Western league.
mostly for the same reason that Dick
Cooley was always unpopular in the
old Western association, that is be-
cause he was always scrapping for the
pennant. Holmes is a scrappy and ag-
gressive manager, and will come strong
next season.
The bunch that won the pennant last
season will be practically intact next
year. Glass A teams don't change
much nor suffer great inroads into
their forces through the draft route.
This will give Ducky CHS real name is
William) good team to start the sea-
son with.
In the backstop department Holmes
will come strong. The main receiver
of last season, Shea, will be back. Shea
is good one, too, as he ranked second
in the league year ago In addition
10 secured T0WnA a
veteran, and Vance, youngster, VINO
is reputed as conner. Then he is
negotiating with a Central league team
for another catcher, who will be num-
bered among the best in the league
should he be landed.
Furchner will lead the pitching staff
Furchner will be remembered as the
man who won three out of the last six
games with Omaha and cinched the
pennant for Holmes. Ed From, who
was with Wichita two seasons ago, has
signed and will make Ducky a good
man. Tessie Alderman, who pitched
with Topeka at one time and gave such
promise until he lost control, is one OF
the strong left handlers of the team.
Crutcher, who pitched for Kansas city
a couple of seasons ago, is one of the
most valued right handlers on the team.
Mckay is another good one Who Went
to Sioux City from Lincoln and who
has always been considered top
notcher. Starr an effective left hand
Blue Rapids two seasons ago These
with Freeman, the underhand pitcher
seen here with Chicago last spring,
complete the firing line squad.
Weed who has been with the Pack
ers for two seasons, will probably play
first although this position has not
been determined upon as yet. SEVERED
is another contender for first. An
in the circuit, will hold down second
again next season. He was field cap
tain in 1908 and win doubtless be en-
trusted with this charge again next
season. WEIGH, the regular third base
man of last season.; will be found in
this position again another year.
This leaves Holmes infield intact
with the exception of shortstop;. Gran
vile, who played this position last fall
with the Omaha transformers, wanted
to get managerial berth this season,
and hence was sold TO Columbia, S. e,
in the South Atlantic league, Holmes
is ruStling for q ShortStop to NIL THIS
vacant berth.
In the outfield last season Sioux City
had Green, Campbell, and Manager
Holmes most of the season. These are
the same trio with a couple of young
sters trying out. Goodman and Wood
are two new ones who are said to be
hustlers and who will give the older men
a run for their money.
Holmes is making out a good schedule
of spring games for his next year S
team. The Chicago White Sox will play
in Sioux City April 9. The Cubs viii
have an earlier date. Milwaukee and
Minneapolis will each be there for a
series and other teams will be secured.
Later Holmes is planning southern
practice trips for his team which will
Include Joplin and some towns of the
Western association.
The Sioux City grounds are considered
the joke of the league. They are Situ-
ated on a high bluff overlooking the
Missouri river and are small. The Sioux
City papers announce that the grounds
will be sodded, thus giving a grass dia-
mond, and that increased accommoda-
tions will be built. The home plate
will be moved closer to the stands, thus
giving the outfielders more room and
decreasing the chances for dropping the
ball into the Muddy Mizzou.'
Brick Owens won't umpire in the
National league next season. Instead
he will take charge of his old job in the
American association Owens can get
more money as a star in big minor
league than he could as a tryout in a
big league. Bricks meager wages will
be $525 per month
WILL BE NO BASEBALL WAR.
The Eastern League and American As
ISOLATION Win Their Point
Cincinnati, o., Jan 6.-Unless some
thing that is not in any manner antici--
pated happens today there will be no
baseball war. The commission, in con-
junction with the National association.
decided to accede to the requests of
the Eastern league and the American
association in all but one particular that
being that the two leagues be made
third party to the national agreement
and be given representation on the nd