Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12
VIRGINIA LEAGUERS
Peculiar Claim Put in for Rich
mond Player.
new LEAGUE NOT FEARED
Gossip Concerning Players and Clubs
in the Old Dominion
Organization.
new LEAGUE NOT FEARED

LYNCHBURG, Va, March 11.-Wher
the bell rings for the Inauguration Of the
sixth season Of the Virginia League, April
20, George (Scrap from Cowan. who will
be a member OF the Richmond catching
department, will be the only player ir
the league who has been In the league
since it played its first game in April
1908 Cowan has been a member OF the
Richmond and Portsmouth teams during
all Of these years and there never has
been a harder OF more peppery player
in the league. II he could hit at III
there would have been promotion for him
a long time ago. There is little doubt
but Cowan will make the Colts and that
he will probably go through the season
with that team.
Harry Spratt, the University OF Vir-
GINA player who played a great game
at third last year with Roanoke to he
drafted by the Boston Doves, is to com
reporting to the Bostons. Some time ago
Spratt tried to get the Boston team to
turn him over to Roanoke for another
season, but this request was refused, and
then the agreement was made for the late
reporting. Spratt was easily the leading
third baseman OF the circuit last sea-
son, although 1t was his first year IN
professional ball. In addition to show
ing the goods at the third corner, he was
one OF the leading batters OF the circuit.
Spratt halls from southwestern Virginia,
where he played amateur ball before go
ing to the university.
The local team is expecting good work
from Arthur Zimmerman, brother OF
Heine Zimmerman OF the Chicago Cubs,
who Is to get trial next season at
third. Zimmerman figured in thirty-two
games last year around Gotham, and he
hit at 1903 and fielded at 1857. He has q
Observation-Disclosures will get show
with the Danville team of the l. I. I. this
year, after having been turned loose last
season by Lynchburg. II Arthur shows
up as good as Willie did last spring he
will satisfy the local fans and baseball
dom can be assured that the big brother
will have to look out for his spurs, for
the younger fellows sure have future in
the game.
The claim made recently by Fayette-
Vile eastern Caroiina) against President
Bradley of the Richmond Colts, for title
to First Baseman Dobson. is one of the
most peculiar of present-day base ball.
Last summer, while the Colts were going
bad and the fans were demanding addi-
Fayetteville. Richmond farm. and
bought Dobson and Third Baseman Bunt-
ing. President Bradley says he has on
file the check for the purchase price, and
that 1t was agreed that in event of the
sale or draft Of either or both of the
in the proceeds. Bunting was sold to
Washington and Dobson has signed with
Richmond again. Now comes a clalm
from Winston-Salem Carolina Associa-
tion) for the services OF Dobson, the
statement being made that the player
by Fayetteville, along with four other
players. To back this claim. Fayetteville
says DobsOn was only loaned to Rich
mond and wants to deliver the player to
the Twins. President Bradley. claiming
the sale to have been bona fide one,
has balkct. and the fight has gone be-
fore the national commission.
The signing Of Bill Howedell. who play
ed short here last season, brought JOY
to the hearts Of the local fans. for Howe
delPs experience and ability as a fielder
will prove to be a tower Of strength to
the Shoemakers' infield, which must be
made UP almost entirely of timber from
professional teams. He came here
last summer from Newark. n. j.. and
he was unable to play his best ball be-
cause Of the lack of team work. II he
puts up the game he played last year he
is bound to be among the leading short.
stops Of the circuit this year.
Fred Heller, the hard-hitting second
baseman Of the 1910 Shoemakers. has
notified President Wilkinson that he will
retire from professional ball. having de.
cided to engage In business in Columbus
Ohio, and remain with his family in the
future. Heller; hit at $50 last season and
hi 20 < In "a inf
q game for the local pitchers. The
team had hoped to sell this player
but his determination to quit the game
blocked q deal.
The local team has signed for spring
trial a young Baltimore played named
Tarleton, who has been employed ir
Lynchburg for several months. TarletOr
is q pitcher and he will start work here
with a good record behind him in anna.
The award OF Secretary Farrell to the
Lynchburg team OF Catcher William,
Bien. in q claim for his services by Tren.
ton Of the Tri-State, gives Manager
Stocksdale a mighty promising backstop
says he has the earmarks Of a conner
Since being awarded to Lynchburg Bien
has written Manager Stockdale that he
Is perfectly satisfied with the decision
and that ne Will De on hand as Soon as
transportation reaches him.
The past week has been q quiet one a.
ia as the organizers of the proposed Tide.
water outlaw league, which is designed
TO- pay ball this year around Norfolk
things be ng SO quiet that some who ar,
loyal to the Virginia League are begin
ming to believe that the circuit will prov,
to be a flasco. When Hampton REFUSED
to join the proposed circuit attent on wa,
turned to Elizabeth City. N. c.. but thil
brought the promoters face to face witt
a condition they had hoped to escape
viz, travelling expenses. There has alst
been talk OF making the team of tn,
training ship Franklin, located In tn,
Norfolk navy yard. the sixth member O.
the organization. As this Is q stationar,
ship" there Is no trouble about the team
being transferred to other waters. but tn,
question of grounds would bother, for tn,
deck OF the training ship is not quit,
large enough to accommodate a ball team
with seating capacity for the tmmounl
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