South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-12
Pilot Keeps His Promise to
Spend MOney-NeW Bender
is Scheduled to Become
Manager.

Another step in the boIstering
process which is being administered
10 the South Bend club by Manager
Smith was taken today when Ben
Koehler. crack indelder of the Jersey
City international league club. for
years teammate of the Bender pilot
and a resident Of this city, was pur-
chased by the local club.
simultaneously with the announce
ment of the acquisition of KOehler,
comes the word that Laudcrmilk, the
Grand Rapids Central league south
paw hurler has been added to the
Bender pitching staff and will report
10 the CLUB at Lansing today.
liz is believed that the purchase Of
koehler and Laudermilk are the fin
ishing touches for the start 10 the
pinnacle OF the league standing. as
both men are OF big league caliber.
Smith has been trying 10 secure
KOehler since the Southern Michigan
league season opened but an agree
snent on the price held up the deal
until last night. The Jersey City
club was not anxious TO be relieved
OF the crack player and il was nee
essary for smith 20 shell out approx
mately $1,000 20 secure Ben
Laudcrmlk Costly.
Laudermilk is also a costly man and
although the Bender manager faile /
10 state the price paid for the twirler
u is known that he proved an eXpen-
sive luxury. The Grand Rapids hurler
was with Fort Wayne last season.
winning 20 out OF 80 games in which
he participated. tie fielded 915 and
his with the usual pitchers speed. He
has been going good this spring and
Smith was fortunate in securing him.
Smith is also dfckering on "a trade
which II completed today as expect
I'd. will mean the addition OF an out
fielder who at this time - hitting .3S1
in the Southern Michigan league. Man
ager Smith is sparing neither money
nor trouble in strengthening the club
and expects 10 return home next We'd
nesday with team capable of defeat
ing any club on the circuit
Arndt TO Join Club.
Smith wired Harry Arndt Friday
morning. asking him 10 report TO the
club as soon as possible. Arndt is
busy on plans for Boosters day next
Thursday bat expects 10 be with the
team by Sunday. lie will go into right
field. increasing the batting strength
OF the club with d $50. speed.
The acquisition OF Ben kOehler
means a big shift in the color of the
Benders. Smith VIII Probably depose
himself as manager and place Ben in
charge of the crew. This viii give
I'd more time in which TO work on the
mound ana VIII relieve MN OF many
duties which have impeded his play
ing this spring. koehler is expected
to go 10 the Outdeld. Ben hit .314 and
fielded 800 in the Central league last
seeson. He nit more than 200 in the
International and felded $50 during
the latter part of the year.
Brains Ben'S Asset.
Ben is famed for his brainy playing
while his speed and skill on the bases
is considered his greatest asset. With
koehler as pilot Of the Bender crew
the other clubs viii be kept guessing
as 10 what is coming next, as Ben has
something up his sleeve every minute
Of the game
Indications are that Boosters day
event next Thursday will be an un-
precedented success. The business
men OF the city are taking hold Of
the project with more than usual in
terest and Harry Arndt stated Friday
morning that he feels that these men
will be the principal factors in making