The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-14
ANOTHER new ONE
Cooley Has Secured Third Base
man Kunkle from Louisville.
The YOungster Made a Great
Record With Springfield.
HITS AND FIELDS WELL
Topeka Pitchers Looking Retter
and Working Out Daily.
Other Items of Interest Con-
corning Local Team.
HITS ANDFIELDS WELL

Johnny Kunkle, third baseman of the
! Springfield team OF the Western AS
ISOLATION team of last season, is the
latest acquisition of the Topeka West
ern league team. Kunkle has accept
b ed terms and will likely report to-
night or tomorrow night.
Kunkle broke into the game last sea-
son when the Springfield Midgets re-
ceived their rejuvenation. Kunkle was
in the bunch which Tom Hayden
transferred to the Ozark city from
lola. At lola he wasn't considered
much of a player. But at Springfield
his work attracted the attention of the
whole association. Kunkle was one OF
the most promising youngsters In the
association last season. In fact he was
so promising that he was drafted by
Louisville as soon as the drafting sea-
son opened.
There Kunkle has been trying out an
spring. OF course he could hardly
make good on third the first season,
but he put up a strong argument for
the position. Finally, however, it was
decided that on his lack of experience
he should be given another year 10
season.
Kunkle attracted more attention IN
the old Western Association last sea-
son than any youngster. unless II
might be our own Hagerman. He pull
ed off great plays at every opportu UNI
ity and jealous sport writer's over tne
circuit WED with each other in say
ling that he was playing beyond his
speed, and predicted his early .eXplo-
sion.
| But the explosion never came. The
youngster kept up his gilt edged nelo-
ling game until the season had closed
When the averages were compiled IN
| midwinter, it was shown that the
youngster ranked second IN neldlng
among the third sackers. having tne
isn't a high fielding average. wen, you
| will find on comparison that there are
but few third basemen in any circuit
that go higher than this. This average
was reduced from perfect one py
| only 20 errors. 1t was away above that
of our own Jay Andrews, or Augustus
/ Hetling, the far famed third baseman
of the Wichita team. who is now de-
lighting the Kansas City fans.
But his value to team mes no.
alone in his fielding. for young kunkie
is slugger as well. Last season, ms
first one in any professional circuit, he
lclouted the ball at the high average OF
.276, which is certainly enough for any
lvoungster Last season for while the
DISPATCHES from Springfield read, Ths
Feature of the game was kunkle's dally
home rum" OF course he did not keep
this up very long, but he put the pall
over the Springfield fence seven uay )
in succession. Kunkle in addition to MS
home runs accumulated % two Dase
hits during the season. or during tne
LIS DAVIS after he Joined the SprlngneIo
team. -
inp eouai- the youngster undoubtedly
has a future before him. He may not
make good in the Western TINS season
but his record is worth giving MIN
trial. And If he can deliver the goods
lack Cullen, and a number OF others
who are keeping their eyes on tnat
third sack had better look to their
laurels.
The team warmed up twice Tuesday
morning and afternoon. and again this
morning The grounds are now IN the
hest condition. The recent rains nave
Lhelped. The little pebbles which were
as thick as mosquitoes and disease
Germs in swamp have come to the
top just as Danberry said they Woulo
!, and he is sweeping them off every Gay
II will easily be the best skinned dia-
mond in the circuit after a little more
Train has saturated the surface
Tn order to add zest to the practice
Cooley divides his team in two sections
and had a little match game every al
iternoon. This is done to get his pltcn-
lers in good working condition. Eacr
pitcher gets cndHSc a. 9OAiiN ANS4 -
ters. All the pitchers are comins
around fast. Slapnicka is ready &c
start the season now. Killingsworth is
gaining control every day. the le1t-
handlers are getting the soreness out OF
their salary wings. Hendrix IS IN pet
fer condition right now than he was al
anv time during his career with the
/. local club last season. And Scott, the
man who is so hard to dope looks more
. like real pitcher every day.
In the last few practices, Phile Gelel
has been getting a chance in the sur
field Geier is regularly an outheider
land has played this position about 81
Der cent of the time he has been II
baseball. The little German looks OLE
Sol right in the eyes, and seems mucf
better than any of the gardners Wn'
have guarded the right field job thi:
season Geier works a Ia Red Davi:
when it comes to catching fly balls
meath high sky.
The other third basemen are beine
Given a rest while Cooley is working
Olson out at third. The little Swed'
looks better than he did last season
land saws he is going to give someon'
an awful battle for job. When Kun
lxle reports competition will be keenel
than ever for the infield honors. Onl,
lC,ooIev and KahI seem sure of a place
AGGIES WIN AGAIN.
Defeated Winfield Collcgians by to :
= Score.
< Manhattan, Kan, April 14.-Tht
x Southwestern college of Winfield wa:
defeated by the Aggies at Athletic
I park Tuesday by score of to 2. The