The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-02
President Baugh Returned From St. Petersburg Yesterday With News
 of the Deal
CONVICTION SAID TO
 BE FINISHED PLAYER
Looks to Be Better Than Leary, Who Was Badly Wanted by BarOns. MOlesworth Angling for Sev-
 eral Players Now With
 Cubs and Cardinals
Fly ASA RouNTREE. JR.

President Baugh of the Barons returned to the city yesterday after a weeks ab- , sence with the glad tidings that deal i had been consuinmated with Manager Branch Hickey of the Browns whereby | First Baseman Covington would be turned over to the Barons to fill the hole a first base made by the release of Bill McGil- vray to the Troy club in the New York State league.
 Following the Southern league meeting in Mobile on February 21, both Pres- dent Baugh and Manager Molesworth hiked off to St. Petersburg, Fla, where the Browns are in training, to induce Hickey to part with some of his young talent Manager Molesworth is still at St. Petersburg trying to secure several other youngsters from the St. Louis boss. While in Florida Moley will also confer with Hank" ODay of the Cubs and Mil Ter Huggins of the Cardinals in an effort to secure additional players
 Covington is big and rangy first base man and wonderfully fast on his feet He joined the Browns toward the flag end Of the 1913 season. and in the few games he played gave a good account of himself
 Covington is said to be a very reliable player, both in the field and at the bat. Last season he led American league first basemen in fielding. having an average Of .994 for 16 games. In these 16 games he made l4S put-outs. 17 assists and only one error. With the ash he did not make such an impressive showing, batting only .l5o in 20 games. However, in the minors Covinston was bear cat with the stick, having batted close to $50 before coming to the Browns.
 President Baugh and Manager Moles- worth both Leary the player badly wanted by the Barons, and Covington in action while in St. Petersburg and each was of the opinion that Covington would make the Barons a better man.
 Branch Hickey also told the local moguls that he considered Covington the better player of the two, and that the local club would make no mistake in securing him.
 Covington is more finished fielder than Leary, and nearly as effective with the willow. In addition to this, he is faster on his feet and covers a far greater terri tory than the former Utica first baseman.
 Before the Barons can come into pos session of Covington waivers must be granted by the major league clubs. 1t is thought that these will be readily granted by all of the clubs. as every one of them have plenty of youngsters on hand.
 
 Baugh had talk with Manager Hank" ODay of the Chicago Cubs relative to release of several players. O'Day stated that while he would be glad to favor the Barons. his hands were tied and he was in no position to cut adrift any player on ac- count of the muddled condition of club af- fairs. He promised, though, that he would do all he could for the local club
 As Manager Hickey has over 40 players, most of them youngsters, on his string Moley is hoping to land one or two other players before coming home. Miller Hug gins has also a large number of rockies on his hands, and the Baron chieftain will also pay him a short visit in an effort to acquire a player or so.
 Bill Schwartz of the Vols is also in St. Petersburg dickering with Hickey for sev- eral players. The Nashville roster at present is woefully weak. and Schwartz hopes to obtain several players from the St. Louis pilot, who is a personal friend to bolster up these weak spots.