The Pensacola journal., 1913-02-21
ADVANTAGESOF
PENSACOLAFOR
BALL PLAYERS
CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
SAYS THIS CITY IS BEST IN
THE SOUTH FOR SPRING TRAIN
ING GROUND.

Pensacola has many advantages for
players" is the caption Of a double
column article recently appearing in
the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in which
the approaching trip OF the Maps is
given much prominence. That portion
referring to this city follows:
Pensacola first was decided upon as
likely training ground after Joe Bir-
mingham had taken a bunch of players
there to play an exhibition game last
spring. Joe at once saw the many ad-
vantages OF the place, and on assum-
ing the managerial reins few months
later, laid glowing accounts Of the
place before the heads of the club and
induced them to try it to round out
the players for the season Of 1913.
Pensacola lies in the extreme west
ern portion of Florida, on the west
shore of Pensacola bay and about
eight miles from the Mexican gulf.
The clirnste is an aideal one for
training, and the accommodations for
giving the men a thorough workout
as good as any In the south. The av-
erage rainfall during the months OF
February and March is about 4.S2
inches.
Pensacola has no swamp environ
nents, thus disposing OF the mosquito
and fever question, while the water
drunk is of the purest. coming, as 1t
does, from artesian wells.
"The Maps win have two entire
floors Of the recently completed half
million dollar hotel, with all the neces-
saries and luxuries Of a modern Amer
ican hotel Of the north. This in itself
is no common advantage since. with
the exception of a few Of the largest
southern cities. hotel accommodations
are generally thought of last.
pensacola Is surrounded with some
Of the finest scenery In the south,
providing ample entertainment for the
players when away from the diamond.
There are United States forts to see,
old historical places OF interest and
good fishing points for the followers
| of Izaak Walton.
"The diamond on which the players
will perform thsir daily stunts is one
of the best In the south. Scout Bob
Gilks has been down there all winter
and has given 1t his personal atten-
ton. The infield has been sodded and
rolled until 1t has developed the
smoothness and durability of a billiard
table, while the outfieId has been
L IOIlSQ QnIll II LEAVES EOLAIA6 " W
| desired. The field is q large one, sur
rounded on all sides BY a fence and
| containing a big grand stand.
/ .The Maps are due to leave Cleve-
i land on a special car Saturday morn
/ ing at Q o'clock. They arrive at Gin
/ cinnati at 6, travel all night and the
greater part of the next day, reaching
i their stopping point about Ais Sunday
j afternoon.
/ AT once will come to the fore the
i good old hospitality for which the real
| south has been noted for 10 these many
/ years. Reports from the southwark
/ filter north of Mason and Dixon's line
that the ball players will be greeted
with band and possibly delegation
| of some of the foremost citizens. There
i are some great baseball enthusiasts
/ residing there by the blue waters of the
| gulf. and none of them are overlooking
the chance to make the stay of the
/ Cleveland ball club as p!easurable as
i only southerners know how TO make It
i "All in all, the consensus of opinion
on the site Of the 1919 training camp
seems to be that the club owners have
i chosen wisely and well. Barring un-
i expected weather conditions very un-
1 expected they must be, too. for Pensa-
cola), everything points to the fac
that a grand opportunity Is being af-
forded the players to round into shape
All that is possible has been done fol
their welfare and comfort. And il
the result of their workout makes
itself manifest in a gingery, pepper5
bit of ball playing through the sum
mer months, the fans will be more
! than pleased"