The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-27
Season in Western League VIII
Be on in As Hours.
All the Teams Are in Good Con-
dition for the Start.
BURNUM THE CHOICE
Big SOuthpaw Will Likely Pitch
the First Game.
Big Openings Also in Wichita,
Denver and Pueblo.

Within forty-eight hours the eight
teams of the Western league will be
fighting their first battle in the 154
game contest for the championship OF
the Western league. The Western
league race has not always been a
close and exciting one, and there have
been many times when the pennant
was won in a walk. This season, how
ever, the greatest race in the history
of the league is expected. With eight
clubs fighting for the rag, instead of
six, the game ought to attract wide
interest over the circuit, and the race
be accordingly close.
Every team in the circuit is in good
condition and ready to start the bat
tie. Lincoln will open in Topeka;
Sioux City in Wichita; Omaha in Dem
yer and Des Moines in Pueblo. In ev-
cry city there is expected to be a big
opening celebration. In Topeka the
opening day festivities will be about
as extensive a. those in any city in the
league. At Wichita long automobile
parade has been arranged, and Pres
ident O'Neill will probably be there to
open the season. At Denver the fans
will have the first opportunity of see
ing Inc NTrlZZHeS IN dCllOI, DIS the lSdAu
has been playing it's practice games in
Kansas, disappointing the Denver fans
10 a great extent, but nevertheless,
being the only team in the league to
make any money during the exhibition
season. At Pueblo the business houses
will all close and the mayor will fling
the first ball to the plate.
The Topeka team is in good condi-
tion to start the race. The warm
weather of the past few days has TAX
en- all the kinks out of the players
arms and with some splendid pitch
ing to bat against the hitting optics
have been adjusted to speed curves,
and everything else in a classy pitch
ing repertoire. If Burnum is right he
will probably be selected to pitch the
opening game, at least is the dope
today. Burnum is the best looking left
handler on the team. and Lincoln has
a number of left handed hitters. Nc
Manus will do the receiving. McMan-
us is likely to become the
best catcher in the league this season,
and he is in better condition than he
has been for years. Cooley will hold
down first. and it is safe bet that
Dick is in better condition than he
was when he was with the big league
teams during his closing years in the
majors. Kahl will start the season at
second. Bob has been showing up
pretty we'll in practice and is hitting
on a slow ground ball, but is working
hard to rectify his short comings. At
short Kunkel will start the season.
The little one has been going great
since joining the team. He has never
played shortstop before. but seems to
be as much at home as he is on the
third sack. Andrews will start off at
third, and If the old physish goes as
we'll as he is starting, the third bag
will be we'll protected all season and
DR.. Jay assured of a meal ticket. OIL
son and Cullen will both be retained
as utility men during the series that
will be played on the home grounds
One of them may be cast adrift be-
fore the trip over the circuit starts
May IL.
Long. Wooley and Geier will start
the season in the outfeld All are fast
fielders and II they can keep up the
form shown in practice are good hit
ters. F'enlon will be retained to keep
the bench warm and to do the pinch
hitting role as well as act as a sub
stitute outfielder.
The Topeka team remains at home
for twelve games, meeting Lincoln,
Sioux City, Des Moines and Omaha in
the order indicated. for three games
each after which the team will leave.
The Topeka bunch will leave on
May II, opening in Des Moines May
-. and playing four games at every