The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-28
Hectic Series With Mobile Begins
THE GAMEST TEAM
 WILL FLY THE RAG. EASY PREDICTION
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

TfdN6 tflt 6tdSuliS d ClidAASC tO fiiA pennant of the Southern league?
 That question, which is the most com mon in Birmingham today may be an swered right off the reel-''Yes,'
 And what is more, the Gulls have mighty good chance
 In the disputation of the past week or more. the partisan scribes of two cities have based their predictions on records. In Birmingham, it has been said that the Barons would win because they can outhit the Gulls. In Mobile. it has been said that the Gulls will win be- cause their pitchers are better than those of the Barons.
 Tn the series which begins today. re- cords are about as important as the identity of the jaybird which occupied the nest in the cherry tree.
 The determining faction will not be hitting. or pitching or fielding or speed on the bases
 T. will be nerve"
 The Barons have a lead of three games We play Mobile four As a result the visitors might be eliminated, or the Barons might be in setond place by Sun day.
 Arfso which indicates, that the mar ginal advantage of the locals is about as wide as the thumb nail of child.
 Fear is aroused in the knowledge that at the present time, the visitors are playing the better ball In their last two games, they scored shutouts. In the Barons last two, they were defeated, and needlessly defeated. Sundays game, in which the first Baron up in seven in- nlngs reached first, was thrown away as result of careless or indifferent ball playing. Yesterdays game should have been won-for it is a mighty ordinary bunch of ball players which can score but one run on four hits, one double, two steals. and six bases on balls.
 Individually. the Barons, in our opln- ion, are superior to the Gulls But nerve or lack of nerve" is going to tell the tale.
 Last season, as is remembered, the Barons had an excellent chance to win the pennant They were only few games behind New Orleans when the Pelicans came to Birmingham.
 Our chance is excellent" thought the fans, because the leaders are on our home grounds"
 But the result was disastrous to Baron hopes. Three days in succession the visi- tors trimmed us. There was no reason in the world why this should have been the case. save for this. They were gamer than we.'
 By referring to these facts, we do not intend to convey the impression that we are doubtful of the fighting qualities of the Barons. Our reason is this. we hope to arouse the instinct of fight in the Barons For it is as true as that there is a sky above us, that unless we go out on the field with the determination to do or die. we will die. And we do not desire to die.
 This is the series of the season-of the entire season. The 300 hitter whose bud geon won games in June will receive lit tie credit for former good work if he smashes no harder than 100 today. The spectacular fielder whose brilliant work in July brought home the bacon may be expected little credit if he loses his head today. If the brilliant "stealer" of bases lacks the heart to get start today. few will remember that in less trying periods he could purloin cushion whenever he. desired
 Therefore, 1t behooves the Barons to go to meet the job with confidence in their success. but without over confidence, with determination to watch every opening in the ranks of the enemy, but without that nervousness which always results in dis aster.
 And Birmingham is behind you, boysl The old city. which during a one-sided campaign, displayed comparative little interest is now wide awake. The spirit is one which is willing that the better team win the bunting. Bir- mingham does not want the pennant if we cannot dispose of Mobile in the pres ent series.
 And never forget that Birmingham is confident that you can turn the trick. But Birmingham will not soon forget un- less you do.
 It is a game. now, in which the man of nerve will emerge a victor. Ea IT MD ~ "