The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-13

LoAbbCp A0Ol4l-S IL L6 1ldQ So QSSlIeQs
There is an unusually large number
of ex-Southern leaguers in the west
ern loop this season. In fact.
there is whole team of them here
and it is no slouch ball club either.
Rickert, one of them himself, could
take down a rag. Certainly it is
strong in the field and behind the
bat. A few more pitchers are needed
and successful in this circuit. Here is
the club:
Rickert, Topeka, If, New Orleans.
Hafford, Topeka, 3b, Birmingham.
Or Reilly, Sioux City, 8 b. New Or
Neighbors, Sioux City. rf. Memphis.
Wagner. Sioux City, CT, Mobile.
Moore, Topeka, IS, Birmingham.
Whitney, Topeka, 1b, Atlanta. Mem
phis.
Dundon, Lincoln, 2b, New orleans.
Stratton. Lincoln, C, New Orleans
McGraw, Lincoln, C. Memphis.
McMurray, Denver, c, Atlanta.
Buchanan, Topeka, p, Little Rock
and Chattanooga.
Applegate, Lincoln, p, New Orleans.
Rhodes, Omaha, p, Chattanooga.
Breitenstein, Topeka, utility, Shreve-
port and Montgomery.
Fred Moore invites the fans and
creep into their hearts because of tho
crippled condition of the team. A
pitcher can not be expected to put up
a consistent game at third for the rea-
son that the last corner is one OF the
hardest places to play and it can be
noticed that of all positions third is the
least entrusted to shifted players. With
the utility man, Breitenstein, trans
formed into regular second baseman
there is no utility player as matter
of fact and the whole infield is broken
up. Hafford expects to be back at
work in few days but his finger IS
said to have been broken and not
merely knocked out of Joint. It's the
little finger Of his throwing hand so It.
naturally cripples him.
Moore probably will not put himself
back into the lineup until the team
takes to the road again. Perhaps he
will open at Sioux City, the first stop
of the Kaws, Friday.
There are about LOCO of the fans who
accuse the Kaws of lying down on
their manager. They say the poys
actually try to give games away anc
all that sort of thing. II the men 90
thew are very, clever at covering the
outward evidences. They get into
some bad holes because of inferior
work but the fact is they slip IN very
naturally and with every show OF grace
and ease
One serious trouble with the Kaws is
and has been the lack or power on tne
baselines Outside of the pltchers
there are only three who can make the
distance in average time; II Is reasv 80,
able to expect five regulars on q clup
to show speed. If you wanted 10 say
something mean about the Indians why
not say they are a stiff legged lot
Retter coaching is needed to get all
the sacks due the runners. The Iopeka
| lads clout the ball hard enough out
| thew don't get together on the bases
and profit by the slips OF the OPP
moments. The manager might coacn
! little now and then even If he can not
play. He surely has that right with
his club. Every player is not a coach
er and there is no use OF sehuiiis any
statuary out to the lines.
Rut the players say the trouble with
them on the bases is that the GROUND Is
! soft and uncertain. When they start
they slip back foot and lose the
| 'iu1np.'' which on a short distance Is
tine xeynote to a sprinter's success.
And while the soft loose diamond is
under discussion. little attenuo
ought to be called to the catcher 5
mound. It is shame the way tn, IN,
catchers stumble down off that nil
! after foul balls or after wide ones. II
| he sidesteps for a peg at base ne
! loses balance, drawing his throw wlld.
They are getting along weil enough pue
there is no adequate excuse to make
the catchers Job any harder than it
! already is Another thing about that
j home mound is that runners can not
| slide in from third with the speed ana
grace becoming western pan piayer' yer
Tf tbev start the skid at the usual dis
/ lance they never complete up that hill
All season the sliding into home has