The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-08
Now Getting Ready for Opening
of Practice Season.
TO BUILD NEW STANDS
Seating Capacity at Local Park
Will Be Increased.
Ground Keeper Danberry EX-
pected to Arrive Tomorrow.

Dick Cooley, manager and pro-
prietor of the local Western league
team is home from a week spent at
Excelsior Springs, and from now on all
his time will be spent in getting ready
for the opening of the practice season
and the subsequent opening of the
Western league season.
Cooley profted physically by his So
journS at the Springs. He is looking
better than he has for the past ten
years, and looks fit to take his posi-
tion at the initial corner of the dia-
mond on a moments notice. He. has
taken off a few pounds and is a per-
feet picture of health. And Dick says
he feels just as good as he looks,
which is going some.
The opening of the season and the
starting of practice is a busy time for
a baseball magnate, and Cooley will
work hard in the next three weeks.
81 am going to get in the best pos
sible condition to play ball this sea-
son. said Mr.. Cooley to a State Jour
nal scribe this morning. Il intend to
play every game of the schedule this
year, and the fact that 1 haven't sign
ed first baseman or anyone who can
play the position ought to satisfy the
fans. Every fine afternoon from now
on 1 am going out to the park where
1 will work out a little, and then take
a run into town from the grounds.
This followed by Turkish bath ev-
cry evening ought to put me into
shape. Some of the youn gsters will
have to give it to the old man this
season when it comes to ginger and
pepp in the game for Richard will be
there with the goods"
Word has already been sent to the
players to report. In few days
transportation will be mailed to the
players so that they will all be here
when the first practice takes place,
March 25. The young tryouts, how
ever, come here at their own expense.
peanuts" Danberry, the new ground
tender, who is unequalled in the west,
will arrive from Joplin tomorrow or
Wednesday. Cooley wired him
sure be here. Danberry will be put to
work at once getting the grounds in
shape, and Danberry has the reputa-
tion of getting grounds in the best pos
sible condition.
A force of carpenters were put to
work this afternoon repairing the
fence, which was injured in the wind
storm of a few weeks ago. In many
places an entirely new fence will be
built
Cooley has completed arrangements
for additions to the grand stands
which will increase the seating capa-
city during the coming season. The
addition will be built on the north end
of the present stands and will extend
to the bIeachers on the west side of
the grounds. This will enclose all the
vacant space between the stands and
the bleachers and including the wind
mill tower which will extend up
through the stands. This will seat
about seven hundred more spectators.
The new turnstyles will also be put
in place on all the gates so that the
exact attendance can be registered at
every game. This is one of the regu-
1ations of the Western league.
Cooley announces that he is we'll
pleased with the outlook for his team.
''I think I have a good team now"
said Dick this morning. CT may need
to make a few changes. I would like
TO get a right handed pitcher, a good
one, another outfielder, and possibly
good inf1elder I have couple of new
additions on the string which if secur-
ed will strengthen the team. am
not worrying about the team one bit.
You can put It down that Topeka will
have a good team If the present
bunch doesn't fill the bill, won't hes
state TO turn some of the men loose
and pay money for others to take their
places. There is no need of the fans
worrying one bit for they will have
good team, if it takes every cent that
] have
And the fans won't worry for Cooley
has always delivered the goods for
Topeka.