The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-22
TEAMS MIXED UP
Many Changes Recorded in
Western League Clubs.
1t Is Believed Topeka Has a
Formidable Aggregation.

All the Western League teams are
in their training camps and the fans
and scribes have begun trying to es-
innate their strength and to pick
winner This will be one of the most
difficult things to do in recent years
The strong teams are weaker and the
weak teams appear to be stronger. No
team appears to have a cinch and it
is predicted that a dark horse will
make trouble 1t is believed that they
are more evenly balanced than ever be-
fore on the circuit.
The Denver and St Joseph clubs are
considered weaker than last year. They
lost a number of valuable men and
nothing but good luck and a bank roll
will fill the gap. Pa Rourke lost some
valuable men and may not be success
full in replacing them. Ducky Holmes
has strengthened his team in some
places and it has been weakened in
others.
The Des Moines team is believed to
have about the same strength or pro-
badly little more, while the Lincoln
team is believed to be weaker. The
Wichita and Topeka teams are ac-
knowledged to be stronger. With all
these changes there is no method of
determining the strength of the teams
until the new men have been given
a chance to show their ability, and
this will not result until after the race
is started.
Strong Topeka Team.
The Topeka team is improved in
practically every position excepting at
the first station. Bill Rapps may be
able to fill RUDE Gardeners place, and
he may not, but it is believed that he
will be one of the leading men at the
initial station on the Western League
circuit. The catching department, with
Crist and Billings, will be much
stronger. Billings will have the ad-
bushes, and Crist will be just as good
a receiver and a better hitter than
Chapman. His judgment will be con-
siderably greater than Chapman's.
Ollum will probably be as good as
Jimmy Walsh at second and will be
short and the third station will be
guarded by Dulin or Snapp. The out
field will be guarded by Lee of last
years team and by McLarry and For
sythe. 1t is believed that this out
field will be as good any on the
circuit. The pitching staff will be
stronger.
The Grizzlies have lost four good
men who were considered among the
best on the circuit and nothing but
good luck will replace them. These
four are Beall, Kenworthy, Leonard
the job and his 10 home runs won
many games for the team. Kenworthy
was as good an all-around man as
there was on the circuit. Dutch Leon
ard was one of the best pitchers and
Chris Lindsay was as good as any at
first. The Grizzlies will figure in the
race nevertheless.
Jack Hollands team appears to be
weaker. He has lost Borton. Gossett !
Thomas, Powell. johnson and Kelley.
This is a list of six men which must
be replaced and every one of them was
among the leaders in their positions
Gossett and Powell may return and
Reilley may decide to agree on terms
but there is no chance for the others
to get back. Jack Holland is an ex-
cellent judge of young ball players and |
may be successful in picking up some |
good material. !
Omaha Loses Good Men.
Omaha has lost Neihoff and Hall. |
1t is practically impossible to replace |
the former and nothing but good luck |
will replace the latter. Both were a |
tower of strength to the Omaha crowd |
and they will be missed. Grub, a re- |
cruit has been signed for the posi- !
ton, but Rourke is figuring on placing |
Bill Schipke on the job. The outfield |
will have one new man and it will be |
Congalton, who came from Louisville,
or Bright, who is a recruit. The pitch
ing staff will be about the same ex-
capting the loss of Hall.
The Lincoln team appears to have |
Deen weakened hcCorII1lch, .CODD anu
Willie Cole will be right on the job
but the latter may be used on the /
infield Mule will handle the team
and play first. Knapp, a star pitcher,
who was out of the game last year,
will be back and may improve the
staff. Carney, Ramsey and
will do the catching They
will be strong. Collins is a new out
fielder who will fill in if Cole is heiu
in the infeld. Mosridge and Hager-
man are lost to the Antelopes and |
these men will be hard to replace.
Ducky Holmes has strengthened his
team with Chris Lindsay at first, but
il will be weakened by the loss of
Danny Claire at third and Red
at second. The pitching staff /.