The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-28

the youngster, and Smith gobbled up the
opportunity. He said that he was anxi-
Gus, extremely anxious. to show his wares
to the world. However the star twirler
confessed that he though the manager
was merely Kidding him about offering
an 1s-year-old youth chance to figure
in Glass A baseball
The winter days and nights passed
slowly for the ambitious twirler with his
dreams of success to come Finally the
sun grew hotter and the frost of the
spring lighter. The newspaper declared
that the Boss of the Barons had arrived.
Not even waiting to eat his morning re-
past Clarence made his way rapidly to
the headquarters of the Birmingham club.
After waiting several hours. the greatest
man on earth--to his mind-walked into
the office.
Smith Is Signed
With the arrival of the leader of the
club came a vision to the youth. 1t was oil
a. pitcher with the Birmingham club able
to strike out the heaviest batters and
to defeat the most formidable of clubs.
Besides his Victory a vision came of
pink contract with Clarence Ossie
Smith" written at the bottom.
Hoping yet fearful the chubby manager
had forgotten, Smith smiled meekly at
Wordsworth. The leader of the club at
once shook the kids hand and told him
to step into the office Drawing out a
roll OF pink blanks. Smith knew that his
dream had come true. He 5as member
of the Birmingham club.
The manager had written after ITO pay
to the said party of the second part the
sum of s75.'s Although Smith had ex-s
pected more he jumped at the offer and
soon Clarence Ossie was one of the Bold
Barons.
The next day Wordsworth told Smith to
pick out a uniform and to go to the park
for practice. That spring the Philadelphia
Nationals were training at Redwood
| Field. Wordsworth cautioned Smith how
| to act to prevent the Phillies smiling and
calling him a 'busher." However after
| the uniform had been donned, straight
way went the newest Baron to the Phila-
dephia players to demonstrate to Man
ager Doom the fact" that he was a
greater pitcher than his own battle
SCARED veterans of thousand conflicts
| However, before he could well have an
opportunity TO demonstrate his wonder
| full" ability Wordsworth yanlSed him from
the bench. The ambitious mound artist
| acknowledged later that he thought
! Wordsworth was hiding him to keep tho
crimson-haired manager from buying him.
| Smith was nothing more than raw, UNI
trained boy and entirely too green to hold
berth on such a meritorious club.
| Although he Jared we'll against the ma
| jor league clubs in the spring games and
instilIed belief In Molesworth's mind that
he would soon be able to. down the might
lest the Barons manager decided to farm
| him out to Admission in the Southeastern
! league on an optional agreement.
The day before the Southeastern league
| opened. Wordsworth told Smith that he
| was the property of the Admission club
and that he was to report the next day
to his new destination. With all hopes
| blighted and in his estimation, all chance
| to be famous spoiled. Smith went home
and spent a sleepless night Then he de-
c.ded to end 1t all. He was going to pitch
| away his arm on the very next day.
Tries to Ruin Career
With partaking of breakfast, the gawky
youth went to the ball park. With all
his might backing every ball, every
| ounce of energy behind each throw, he
twired to the Philles from until II
o'clock. Although an enforced idleness
was taken, and his arm felt as II it had
been pulled from its socket, he did duty
from l until In the afternoon. Enough
to ruin an average arm, 1t failed to In
jure his.
The next day he left Cor Admission
There he pitched the Model club to its
first pennant, carrying of all honors with
26 victories and defeats. The nickname
Of "Doubleheader'' Smith was awarded
for the youth acquired fame by taking
seven double headers for thu club. How
ever many thought him still too green and
inexperienced for the Southern league.
Admission had paid 500 for the young
pitcher and Birmingham had to refund a
like stipend to get him back.
By hairs breadth did Smith return
TO Baronville. Two club officials journey
ed to Admission and viewed his efforts oil
the slab. And both decided that he was
nothing better than a Glass D hurler.
life, Rick Woodward telephoned that the
Birmingham club was forwarding check
for the kid pitcher and that he was to
be returned. Had this option not been
: exercised Birmingham would have been
without the lad for all time.
Others Help Him
J He reported in the spring. After several
lessons In the art of delivering in q ala2l-
title manner under the tutelage MaHa ssr
Wordsworth, the young star ACCT red 2
neat delivery. He had never mastered
an overland curve and still th'eW MS
fast ball with three fingers. IT, lnFn-
ager had in his early days, been moan
. Der OF the Washington hurting s $40
SO was an efficient instructor. r 81
overland curve was one of his eicii,
while Ray Boyd helped him to ps .ns