The Washington herald., 1909-03-14

won the pennant in the strawberry
League. This is the league where Her
zog. now with the Kew York Giants. and
Baker with Come Mack. and other play
ers now with minor league clubs were
unearthed.
TOpham, the spit ball" twirler, OF tri-
State renown. made his debut with this
league the same year as we'll as Harry
Zollers. who Doc" Reisling. manager OF
York Tr-Stste refused $500 last week.
All Of the men were sent from the
strawberry League. after spending one
season under the guiding hand Of Zear-
foss.
Homer smoot. and Jack Townsend.
formerly with Washington. started in
this bunch of bushes. as well as Bob
Unglaub, who began at Cambridge. Nd.
IN 1908 ZearfOss captained the Whining
ton. Del. club which led the Union
League club as long as the league ex-
listed, and owner Bland believes that
Portsmouth will finish better than last
under the cAptaincy Of Zearfoss With
the bunch OF twirlers signed Mr. Bland
expects 20 gather IN some stars, espe-
cially with Zearfoss coaching them.
Portsmouth Players.
The Portsmouth management expects
Clunn and Duncan, pitchers, are said
to be prizes Only last year Clunn, with
Wilmington Tri-State. won every game
he twirled against Covaleski. who was
then with Lancaster, and the baseball
public remember Covaleskrs work with
the Phillies.
The players signed to date are as fol-
lows:
Catchers-Zearfoss. Berte, T. A. Ban
non. Frye. Howard Topham. Pitchers
Hannifan. Hallman, Hilbert, Hamilton.
McWilliams, Bradley, Lowe, Hafer, Ky
len. Clunn. and Duncan. Inhelders-
schrader, Burns, Brown, Toner, Maher.
Johnson, Thum, Williams. Willig. Nc
Iaughlin. Outfielders-ODea. Splcer.
COyle. Billet. Townsend, FOOs. Gnad-
niger. Brady, and Turner.
Brady, outhelder, who sent In his con-
tract this week. Is claimed by Trenton,
Tri-State The national commission Will
have to decide his case.
It Is very evident some OF the young
material signed by Portsmouth will have
10 hustle TO beat out the veterans now
under contract
Extensive improvements viii be made
at Athletic Park prior 10 the opening
4
ground in front 10 make additional IA
cilities. The front approaches will also
be enlarged. Benches with back rests
will be installed 70 make IL as comfortable
as possible. Fifty flags "a by 81 CONSIST
ing OF the Stars and Stripes. American
Jack and 2 flag with the name Of each
club IN the league upon 81, will be place0
around the park and the grandstand on
twelve-foot flag STATS.
The club will have two uniforms this
season-white and black at home, and a
beautiful shade OF blue gray trimmed
with navy blue for travelling.
Owner Bland left here tonight for
Washington TO consult with the new
manager, and Zearfoss.
DanviIIe Likes Schedule.
Danville Va, Mach 13.-Since the adop-
ton OF the schedule for the Virginia
Baseball League for the season. the Of
icers and directors OF the Danville club
and Manager Bob Stafford. have begun
actively at work making plans and pros
poets are bright for a successful sea-
son with the ''Tobacconists." The ass0-
citation has started out 10 collect the
subscriptions 70 stock which were
pledged last fall. and fl is hoped that
those who subscribed will respond
promptly when the collectors call
The schedule adopted at the meeting
this week in Richmond was very favor
able 70 Danville. and as good as any
other city in the State, considering the
geographical location. The representa-
tives from this city We're unusually faith
ful and vigilant in watching cut for the
interests of the local club. and got prac-
tically everything they contended for.
Danville also secured four more games
at home than the original schedule pro-
vided for
This week the officers Of the athletic
association and Mr.. J. F. Rison. the vice
president Of the Danville Street Railway
and Electric Company, viii go over the
grounds al the baseball park for the
purpose Of ascertaining and providing for
the improvements needed.
Manager Stafford and his PLAYERS viii
report on April l. Twelve exhibition
games, beginning with April 6. have been
arranged for Manager stafford, In a re-
cent letter, is very optimistic OF the out
look and declares that Danville has a
good chance for the pennant.
Players signed are as follows. West
lake. kunckle. Ryan. Martin AIavharv
Doyle, Hynkle. Tydeman. King, and Nc
Ghee- Manager Stafford expects con-
tracts in from several OF last years plav-
ers next week. He IS also trying to pur-
chase Pitcher Hamilton, of Portsmouth.