The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-23
ALL IS PREPARED
IN APPALACHIAN
M fountain Baseball League
Proves Mecca for Big League
Scouts-Many Go Up.

Bristol Va, February 22.-Foliowing
such record as was made in tho Ap-
palachian League ;class D) last sea
son, this league of mountain hardi
mood, endurance and speed, is now
looked upon with greater favor by most
Dig league scouts than are some of
the leagues of higher class. This view
is sustained in the list of advances
Tor players OF this league. OF thirty
SIX pitchers appearing in the official
averages. fifteen went TO higher
leagues. while catchers, short stops.
outhelders and men handy with the
bat, like Y. Sloan, Billy Myers etc,
we're not allowed to remain in this
league. These men were either bought
or caught in the fatal draft drag net.
AS result of the many promotions.
the Appalachian is undoubtedly the
mecca for big league scouts. and il is
learned through correspondence that
several OF the big league clubs mean
to keep scouts busy in this territory
during the 1913 season. This situa
ton is causing a stir among the man
ayers in the Appalachian circuit. Not
one OF the managers is willing to take
backward step AZ result. there
is promised the best baseball organi-
cations over, with plenty Of vim, gin
ger. snap. pepper and other essentials
to fast ball
The preliminary work is now taking
form. Red" Munson OF the Bristol
team. is about to strip off the overalIs
in which he has been hiding for two
months to begin the work of organic
professional ball here. War" Sanders.
who is to manage the Middlesboro ag
gregation, has reported there and is
now busy. Sanders is said to be much
encouraged with the sport spirit he
finds among the people of NTiddlesboro.
I y 81 al krit Ii ri
stand is being provided. and the park
VIII he SO close to town that no man,
no matter how busy. will be able to Of
fer reasonable excuse for not at
tending the games.
Legs" Martin will manage for the
Soldiers" at Johnson City. He will
start the season under most favorable
conditions. The fans have already
pledged $1,000 TO meet preliminary ex-
penses in the Soldiers Home town,
while Uncle sam does the generous
thing of providing the grounds. grand
stand, police protection. etc, and con-
tributes $40 to tho expense of each
game. The Traction Company also
provides extra cars. and chips in So
for each game. SO that Legs" will
have easy picking. Red" Munson will
not have such easy picking in Bris-
tol, but the fact that Bristol afforded
the best everyday and all tibet time pa :
tronagc last season is source of con
ISOLATION. Interest III the sport will not
lag here, and while Munson has yet
to coax tho fans to aid him financial
lY 10 meet preliminary expenses II will
come back TO him iii large sized bar
rcls as soon as the season opens.
Prominent among the scouts who
have assigned 10 duty IN the Appa :
lachian League for the 1919 season are
BILLY" Roylc, of the Cleveland Maps;
! Mike kahos, of the Senator's; IIcinie
| l'ictz. OF the Cincinnati Nationals, and
Sobbic Gikcs, also Of Cleveland. "Chol-
"" Murphy is also expected to send {,
scout from Chicago. Jimmy Barrett. :.
ST. Louis scout, is also expected carly
and often. AS he has recommended tn
Appa chan League in preference 10
Il number of promising St Louis
youths that they seek berths in the
/ leagues Of the higher class. telling
! them that the scouts are much more
/ likely to find them if they go among
| the mountain boys
! Moffett is shaping his Knoxville team,
! with some degree Of speed. He has
already received the signatures of four
! teen players. all, with the exception OF
two or three carried over from last
year, being youths with ambition to
get into fast company.