The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19
PLAYERS RETURNING SIGNED CONTRACTS Pratt, Ellam, McGilvray
 and Robinson Sign Up ARE NO HOLD-OUTS Players Are Optimistic Regarding Present Season - MOlesw0rth
 Starts Something-Barons Must Open at Home
By JACK BETHEA

By JACK BETHEA
 Manager Molesworth has begun to re- ceive the signed contracts of the players, and within short time it is expected that every player will have sent in his contract and announced himself ready for the 1911 season.
 The manager has been very fortunate this season and as yet has not had a single hold-out nor a kick at coming south. Players usually send in their de- mands for more salary early, and had there been any 1t is probable that he would have heard of them.
 Molesworth has received four contracts to date and is expecting two more in short order from Hot Springs, where FL liott and Mcbride are limbering up.
 Elam has sent his contract from his home at Cohonhochonton, Pa.-no pro- nunciation obtainable. Ellam writes that he is in first-class condition and ready to jump into the game at moments notice Ellam has been hard at work during the winter and will have little trouble in get ting in shape.
 Am eager for the fray" writes large William McGilvray from Denver. where he has a position In the clerks office. William enclosed his contract in the let ter and was very optimistic in regard to the coming season. He is confident tha; this season will be his best in southern company.
 It is little known fact that waivers were asked twice in the Southern league on McGilvray and all the clubs passed him up. That was in 1909 and he was a dub for fair Molesworth kept a line or him and in 1910. much to the astonlshment of Molesworth, as well as some others McGilvray burnt up the league. William will again amble around first this year and is expected to do goodly portion of the swatting for the Barons
 Pratt, the young catcher obtained from the New England league, has sent in his contract Pratt is in Peoria, H., at pres ent and states that he is ready to repor, at any time. Pratt says that he vii make someone hustle.
 Last but not least, Mccain Robinson has sent contract in from Tulane university at New Orleans. Mac was a good man two seasons ago, when he was injured and his health went back on him. He de cided to rest during 1910, but is confident that he will come back this year. He says in a letter to Molesworth that his arm is in better condition than 1t ever was and if this is true he will make a U II a hlo addition tn he r,i ifcl
 Robinson will not report until May 15 when he will be full-fiedged M. D. This is his graduating year at Tulane college
 Rowdy Elliott and Mcbride are in Hot Springs and Molesworth has sent them a uniform. They will play in the exhibition games at Hot Springs and will be ready for work when the team reports, March S. The manager has been in communication with Ivor Wagner and is expecting his contract in a short time.
 Molesworth has signed a local boy, Clarence Smith, who will try for the posi- ton of pitcher. Smith is big, husky fellow with a nice assortment of curves and terrific speed. The manager has had him under his eye for some time and while he may not be ripe for the South ern league it is the opinion that he has the makings of a good man in him.
 President Baugh has received the offi- cial notification from Judge Kavanaugh of the league meeting in New Orleans on March 1. MT. Baugh and Manager Molesworth will leave Birmingham for New Orleans about February 27.
 The comment on the salary limit ques ton has been various among the papers around the circuit and all of them seem to be of the opinion that the playing managers allowed Foxy Cholly Frank to put one over on them in 1910 As usual.
 The opening day in the Southern league will probably be about April 15 or IA. This will make it either Friday or Saturday, and either day would be a good one to open in Birmingham. An opening game On Saturday would draw like everything.
 Birmingham must open at home."
 Manager MolesworthIhas unlntentionally stirred up a hornets nest and is having a good deal of fun out of the matter. Some time ago the sporting editor of tho New Orleans Picayune wrote Molesworth asking an opiniop of his team and the chances for the penant.
 The managers reply follows:
 q am not making any predictions as to how high my club will finish, for judg- ing from the papers Chattanooga has the rag won, so what is the use of me mak- ing any claims"
 This letter, while short, stirred up a row around the circuit and needless ex- citement has been caused. The Chatta- nooga papers have seen fit to grow sar- castle about the matter and one says: "Chattanooga never won a pennant on paper, and It's dollars to doughnuts that the Lookouts finish ahead of the Barons, regardless of who wins the pennant." The a1tcle continues along a sarcastlce line, criticsing Molesworth for making the statement.
 When shown the story the chubby man. aged smiled and asked:
 When did they ever win pennant off paper?'
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