Evening journal., 1914-02-10
OPTIMISM
RUNS HIGH In
TRI-STATE
New Era In 81 hit Is Belief Of
All Clubs to Train Young
Players

Win the steady approach OF the |
spring training season things have be-
gun to happen IN baseball circles
throughout the Tri.State League circuit.
Reading, Allentown, Harrisburg and
other members of the organization have
already formulated plans for tho iinanc-
ing Of their teams and there is every in
dication that this will be one OF the
banner years in all cities on the circuit.
With new zeal. enthusiasm and energy
injected into the league by the selection
of George NJ. Graham as president, and
the return of Reading to the fold, il is
predicted that the Tri-State is on a fair
way to pull It's members out of the
mire into which the past few years has
seen them fall.
Instead of being haven of refuge for
the "has-bcens" OF baseball, it is alto.
gether possible that the Tri- Estate. this
season. will become a training ground
for young players ON their way toward
faster company. At least this is one OF
the pet ideas Of President Graham. and
the forcefulness OF the newly-elected
leaders personality is expected to carry
the scheme through If it does,
there is hardly eny doubt but that men
who have been year after year dropping
their cash, in order that fans through
out the circuit may see the national
game, viii begin to get returns on their
Investment.
The sale of players to the organiza-
tions higher up is about the only prospect
bac',ers Of clubs in ihis league have to-
get any returns. II would seem that
this opportunity has been sadly neglect
ed in the past, principally because OF the
tact that managers were allowed too
free a hand in the selection OF PLAYING
material lu most coses these managers
were Old players, who had seen better
days themselves, and Tri-Slate baseball,
in q way, developed into case of you
lheln me and | assist you."
IL is known that Graham will not
stand for this sort of tactics and Incl
lentally vii hardly be expected 70 com-
tenance the shelteing of players who
have proven their inability elsewhere
This condition means that there viii be
more opportunity for the youngster OF
talent in the rri-State. Each and every
club will have an opportunity to dig up
new material and train it, The youthful
player breaking into fast company,
is less likely to have his ambitions
shattered, and his vicw of the national
game in general darkened by the pessi-
mistic veteran who has seen better days
but whose future lies in the bushes or
) beyond 1
The announcement that Reading will
+ be back in the Iri-State family was
} indeed welcome news to the cities on
the circuit. The Pretzels are still with
? out a leader but President Myers states
I that he has three men under considera-
tion-playing managers all-and that
the name Of the man selected will he
. announced very shortly. Myers claims
his manager will be a protege of Connie
Mack. Bill Couehlin's name was men
toned, but Readingites, even in the fact
of President Myers refusal to either
confirm or deny this rumor, are inclined
TO treat this report as winter league
dope entirely. Myers states that Read
ing will be the farm for the Athletics
aud that a man in whom Manager Mack
OF the worlds champions, has utmost
confidence, will be at the head of the
team.
Reading has thirteen men on its re-
serve list, including Catchers Boelzle
one of the best receivers in the Iri
quarterback on she Dickinson College
football eleven; Pitchers Bill Culp. for
lmerlv of the Philadelphia Nationals
Walter Moser, formerly with the BostoI
Nationals. and Clarence Hoar, Gettys
: burg College man and protege of Eddie
. Plank: First Basemen Gorman AM
| Alunsch. the latter the property of Con
! ME Mack; Second Baesman Doty, short
stop AL. Newton. veteran Iri-StateG
Third Sacker Bradley and Outhelder
John Covaleskie brother of the one ia
nous twirler. Harry Covaleskie an
George Mangus, the latter great Int
ter.
} Johnny" Castle recently selected t
: manage Allentown. has not been i'd
ldlying the past two weeks. He claim
TO nave established relations with Char
lev Doom of the phillies. whereby nun
Der of young bloods, whom Doom can
not use to advantage this season, WI
be given over to the Dutchmen. II col
summated. this arrangement VIII be
master stroke for Allentown.
In addition, Castle has inaugurated
novel scheme Of raising funds for HI
club. Several thousand tickets for th
opening game of the season are bein
printed and viii be sold to the fans q
81 each. In this way it is hoped to dii
tribute the burden of expense and,
enough are sold, to relieve few me
from having to put mp all TIE money.
Other Tri- State clubs are not idle an
within the next two or three weei
some interesting announcements relati'
to players and plans, will doubtless
. made public