New-York tribune., 1911-01-22
READY TO GREET G|ANTS|
New Home in Marlin Springs
Nearly Completed.
MURPHY WORKS WONDERS
Turns Southern Cornfield Into
Smooth and Level Base.
ball Diamond.

Emerson Park. The name arous.s no
memories of bitter diamond battle. IN the
minds Of the fans" neither does ii have
any connotations Of particular worth. Few
II any are p present able to place the name
and fail TO see where it fits In the current
history Of baseball. II is not what it has
been, however, but what IT is going 10 be
that is Of moment, FOR it is nothing less
than the Polo Grounds of the South, the
new home Of the Giants for their spring
training at Marlin Springs.
As 1t stands to-day, after undergoing
nearly three months Of vigorous treatment
under the direction Of Murphy, the cele-
brated ground keeper Of the New York
club. it il the largest baseball field in the
United States. being six hundred feet
square. The enterprising citizens Of Marlin
Springs, which has a population OF about
four thousand persons dubbed together
and gave this tract CT land 10 the Giants.
The leader In the movement was a man
IldItlHl tDHelsOb. whence tfle name OI NllV
park. These Texans evidently realized the
value OF n little advertising for their MIN
eral waters as well as showing a spirit or
marked cordlalty toward the New York
players.
Murphy went 10 Marlin Springs shortly
after the baseball season closed last fall,
in order TO prepare the field for the spring
training trip When Re arrived there he
found the tract Of land little more than
Southern cornheld. It was filled with
stumps and dried cornstalks. with here and
there 90 few trees. Murphy Immediately
summoned 70 his aid a small army OF ne
groes ard started 10 work 10 clean up the
field and level ii OF. In a letter 10 WILL
lam r. Gray secretary of the club, which
Was received a few days ago, Murphy ad-
mItted that Il was the hardest Job he ever
tackled in the way Of making ball field.
He declared. however. that his weeks OF
work had not been without results and that
he has finally cleaned the place up ana
built a fence around it.
As evidence he offered a photograph OF
the nov field. In the picture are included
some Of the prominent citizens OF Marlin
Springs. All wore their vests that day
either In honor Cf the occasion or because
the temperature had fallen from its aver
age OF s. degrees 10 around so.
Murphy wrote that he had the diamond
all ready for the roller. He said he mad
expected 10 find one large enough in Mar
lin Springs 10 do the work. but finally was
compelled to send TO Waco for one. The
work which Murphy has done this winter
is only OF a preliminary nature, and it Will
not be until another season that the park
will blossom forth in it's full glory. BY
that time the groundkeeper will have had
an opportunity to work out his ideas On
landscape gardening. II takes him TO put
on the finishing touches in the way or
carving up lawn and judiciously sprin-
king flowers about.
Murphy will not attempt 10 grow any
grass upon Emerson Park this year. but
promises 10 have a diamond equal in ap-
pearance to the Polo Grounds when 1912
rolls around
The spirit which moved the citizens to
give a permanent home in the South TO the
New York club Is only slight indication
OF their good feeling toward the team
Needless TO say. President Brush and NC
Graw are delighted 10 have training
ground in such congenial surroundings. 1t
probably will be the spring training grounds
for the Giants for many years TO come.
There Will he no worry and bother here
after about selecting suitable place for
the team 10 train, and everything will be
in readiness for immediate occupation
whenever McCiraw decides TO start South.
The inhabitants of Marlin Springs are
intensely interested In the Giants, and
never a day goes by without the town turn
ing out in full force to see the players in
practice. Naturally no admission fee is
charged, and a small grandstand has been
erected for their accommodation. On Sat-
urday afternoons and special days it is no
unusual sight 10 see the farmers and ranch
owners from miles around driving 10 the
raining grounds in wagons, until the park
from the outside. with the horses hitched
to the fence, takes on the appearance OF
fair.
The weather is wellnish perfect az Marlin
Springs, with the thermometer clinging
around the SOS. The drinking water and
food have proved all that could be desired
10 put the players In the best Of condition
on the whole, the Giants are more than
satisfied that they have nCw a permanent
home In the South.
J.. c. Page. vice-president OF the Boston
Doves, denied emphatically yesterday that
Shean had been traded for Shafer, of the
Giants. At the headquarters Of the New
York club it was mtimated that Mr. Page
was not in full possession OF all the facts, I
and that the deal had gone through as an |
Stanley Robson, president OF the Car
dlnals, has sounded the death knell OF the |
bar privilege at the 81. Louis National
League ball park This feature OF the
game will be eliminated this season. ac- |
cording 10 Robson, who says the seats are
more valuable than the money OF those who
patronize the bar.
Mr. Robson announced yesterday as h. |
dc parted for a five weeks trip 10 Panama. !
that he had resigned from NE rules COM |
mittee Of the National League lie gave
Roger Bresnahan power to make all deals !
and TO represent him In all trades.
One Of the secrets Of Larry Lajoie's con- |
s.stently good batting is said to be the fact |
that the Clevelander seldom reads after
5ark When he is on the road or at home
the big Frenchman goes through the papers /
closely enough TO keep In touch with base |
ball news and current events, but so much !
does he fear artificial light that he always |
finds some other form OF amusement or
paStime after sundown.
As pool player Lajoie is also an EXPERT |
but most Of his welding OF the cue is done
before the shades Of night fall
IL. II.
mad much to do with the fact that Lajoie |
Ii ALWAYS I'm perfect ,opIi,ioa