The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-04-06
COUNTING CHICKENS
BEFORE THEY HATCH

We've already got more than en-
ough to play ball-to play good
ball, and that AIM. all. Chatta-
nooga, in the Southern League,
has offered us two pitchers, two
real pitchers. Just think, cou-
pie tried twisters from another
big league, in addition to the
good staff we had last year. Amt
it shame !? Poor Bristol. You
know the twin city is just butting
into the Appalachian this year,
and of course will be rather new
at the business; so when the
Twins come to pay us visit,
our boys have agreed to teach
them something of the game.
The lessons may be more instruc-
tive than enjoyable to Bristol, but
then they'll soon get used to it,
and won't expect anything else.
Cleveland is another new member
Ia kind of honorary member, !
reckon; just hang around ball
parks occasionally and hunt lost
balls. Aw, come on, little "Clea-
vers," we amt going to hurt you
much-just take your medicine
like little man, that's dear.
Now Knoxville is an old hand
at the business. Didn't those
Gay-streeters once have job in
the Southern League? Ugh-huh.
And if they weren't exactly in
style there, / don't see how they |
can put on any dog in the Appa-
lachian. Then those Asheville
Tarheels. Too bad the poor fell
lows suffer from malaria Cor
something or other) when they
get down here to a lower altitude.
0, l nearly forgot Morristown-
but it don't make any difference,
anyway. | was thinking of only
real teams.
We amt Dragging. We don't
need to. The status of the mat
ter is about thus: the pitching
staff is the same as last year, plus
probably couple from the
Southern League and one or two
new ones. The outfeld is fifty
fifty per cent stronger, the in6eld
is as strong. Secretary AMI
Smith said Saturday that the
team was 1913 per cent stronger
than last year. He ought to
know, but that may be such big
increase that at the end of the
season the boys would have to
climb back down the per centage
ladder to keep from getting tan
gled up with the big league pen
nants. | think I'd cut off the l-3
and call it only 80 per cent.
Washington College wants a
couple of practice games with
Johnson City about May 8 or 9.
That might help. The boys will
be in condition by that |
time, for Garner and Burleson
are now playing in Florida, coach
ing college teams, Scurry and
Taylor have been playing at Mil
igan, Simmons has been carrying $
sawlogs to the mill when the S
horses got tired. Yes, and a
third baseman, who was
| manager in the Blue Grass =
eague, is ready to sign up with t
is. In a game the other day in a
Tlo-ida, Burleson struck out eigh- G
cen men and allowed one hit. =
Wait minute till | confirm this
eport by phone. Hello. Yes.
Good. You don't say. Well, I'll "
,e-. All right, thanks. Good q
'ye. Yes, sir, he done it. And i
hen Alexander is playing with Z
Tusculum. b
Somebody suggested the other q
ay that the winners of the. rags g
d the Appalachian and the South q
astern should put the two in
itty aud play for the pot. I'm
linking that would be pretty
Interesting series-if part of it !
ccurred here. =
The boys begin practice here ,
bout the 10 of May and open in :
leveland on the p.
Accorsini signed up yesterday I,
, play with Our team, so did :.
curry. F, w. Hoss will be az r