The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-21
KAUFMAN SIGNED
Popular Western Association
Pitcher Secured by Cooley.
Was Purchased From Louisville
VIII Arrive Tomorrow.
ANDR [ WIS LOOKS GOOD
Appears to Have Third Base
Olson, Kunkel, Cullen for Short.
WOOley, Long and Geier Select
ed Regular Outfielders.
ANDR { WIS LOOKS GOOD

practically complete for the starting of
the season of 1909. No more men will
be signed until the opening of the sea-
son, and none then unless it is found
that others are necessary to add class
to the team.
Kaufman is a rafting good pitcher.
He was always a star in the Western
association despite the fact that he was
always hooked up with a tail end team.
Last season Kaufman was credited
with twenty-seven games, of which he
won twelve, giving him pitching per-
centage of IA, which is certainly go
ing some when the Springfield team for
which he worked only compiled per-
centage of 1851.
Kaufman was secured from Lous-
vile, He was not allowed a chance
there because of the plethora OF other
good talent. The recent additions to the
Colonies got away good and Will be re-
tanned Kaufman is considered just
as good and would have probably dis
tinguished himself had he been given
chance. Cooley has always wanted
Kaufman and was wearing smile OF
satisfaction when the deal was con-
cluded over the telephone last night.
Last season Cooley tried several times
to secure Kaufman but without avail.
Kaufman broke into the game in 1906
by pitching an exhibition game for his
home town. Bolivar Mo-, against
Sprin gfeld, with which team he played
until he was sold to Louisville, last
July In the off season Kaufman is
student at Kansas university where he
is taking a course in mining engineer
ing.
This makes the pitching staff COM
plete," said Cooley in talking with the
State Journal scribe this morning. THE
staff has been worrying me somewhat
but the acquisition of Kaufman ends
all of my troubles. Slapnicka and
Hendrix are ready to start the season.
Burnum outside Of a little soreness in
his shoulder is all right, and Kaufman
1 know is in good condition"
To Cut Down Pitchers.
The pitching staff may be subjected
to a little reduction in the next few
days. Cooley is planning to carry six
lemen during the season and with Kauf-
mann and Harris the latest additions
he will have nine twirlers. Harris ar
rived this morning and Kaufman is
expected to reach Topeka tomorrow
night.
The three left handlers win undoubt-
eddy be retained for some time. Bur-
mum has shown a splendid assortment
of goods and is considered the star
southpaw of the team. Thomason is a
close second and the youngster has
won favor with Cooley for the general
way in which he handles himself on
Dali 1lSlQ. ne IL d SOOQ PALCuSls anu
hits the ball hard besides fielding in al
most faultless style. Beltz shows an
unusual lot of goods for one SO young
and inexperienced. His only drawback
thus far has been lack of control but
it is thought that hard work will rem
edy this Beltz was drafted from
Hutchinson, and should he prove too
| inexperienced to be of service this sea-
| son, he will be sent to some other club
! for seasoning.
mt % h.
duced in numbers. Slapnicka is work.
| ing better than any of the twirlers
| now, although Hendrix is showing up
unusually we'll Kaufman is in good
condition and will be sure of a place.
| The wedding out process may be start
ed in a few days and one of the right
| handlers at least be released.
Dope on the Infield.
| The rest of the team in the practice
! this week has shown great improve
| ment over the form displayed last Sun
day. The advent of DIR. Jay Andrews
has boosted the infield stock up to par
and the big physician is doing stunts
| around the third bag that have never
| been seen here before. He made the
| team look like another team in the
| Tuesday afternoon practice. Jay is
| lighter in weight, and is in the best con-
dition he has been in sinceTopeka knew
him. He has cut out few things that
| tend to keep a man out of condition
! and is going after the third base posi-
| ton with a vengeance. 1t is almost
certainty now that he will have it. He
seems to have the edge on either Oh
! son or Cullen who have been trying for
| the job. His only fight now is to get
: rid of Kunkel who will probably arrive
some time during the late afternoon or
early evening. If ne wins over Kunkel,
Olson and Cullen will fight it out for
shortstop. One will make the job, and
another will be carried for a while at
least as utility infielder
NageI VIII Not Stay
One of the lamentable features of the
spring practice is the accident which
befell young Nagel, who gave every
promise of budding into a great short
stop. He played in the first two exhibit
| ton games of the season and in the
third his ankle was sprained, and later
| developments proved that it would
keep him out OF the game for the entire
practice season, and possible for some
time after the season opened. As it is
| now Nagel will go back to Bartlesville.
He was purchased on the condition
that he make good by the first of May.
Dick has decided that he cannot use
him this season.
No Contest for Catchers.
| There is one department that is well
4 fortified and over which there is no dis
pute. McManus and Kerns have the
| backstop jobs cinched. Both are great
plenty of experience and are really sea-
soned men. Both sting the ball, too.
| The Outfield Selected.
The outfield that will start the season
/ will be composed of WooIey in left
Long in center and Geier in right.
| Cooley has been working Fenlon in left
| all spring, and the latter has been
| singing the ball fairly well but has
not been fielding exceptionally well,
/ and has proven a weak base runner.
Wooley, in Cooley's estimation. is too
| good a man to sidetrack in favor of
I Fenlon. Fenlon will be carried for a
time at least, as some of the outfielders
may fall down. Long is a younSster
| and has been in the professional game
1 for only a year. He has been hitting
Il the hall with consistent reeI,larit DIR