South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-17
BUSINESS HEAD
FOR Blenders IS
NEW IN LEAGUE
South Michigan Circuit Will
Learn a Good Deal From
Two New Teams This Season
is Outlook.

The addition of South Bend and
Toledo to the Southern Michigan
league and the fact that the circuit
is shortly to be made a class B league,
means much 10 the organization as
whole in the way of innovations that
will make il a real baseball outfit.
Secretaries and business managers
are to be taken on at least by the two
new clubs and ii is more than prob
able that the other clubs, at least
some of the more prosperous and
progressive ones, will follow suit
shortly. Ed. Smith has not yet named
his secretary nor set up his head
quarters, but he will do both within
the next two days it is expected.
Up 70 the present time such officials
have been unknown in the Southern
Michigan league. The team manager
has always looked after the finances
of the team, but in the future the
league expects to set such a pace on
the playing field that it will be all
one man can do to handle the players
and direct the play. Financial wor-
ries should never be saddled on the
shoulders Of the manager to say moth
ing of player manager such as near
ly every team will have this year.
BILLY" Smith, former Saginaw
exclaimed: There amt no such
thing in the South Michigan league.
I used TO win remnants and look after
the cash too. The league is getting
chesty."
The Toledo team has engaged
Charles +. Phillips to look after the
business affairs of the club this year.
Phillips was connected with the Mud
Hens in the Association.
The opening of the first week Of or
ganiZed baseball in South Bend
brought to Ed Smith, owner and man
ager of the local team any number OF
applications for berths on the new
team. Every mail brought requests
from amateurs and professionals from
all over the country Monday, and
from appearances at present, all the
Bender pilot has to do to make Up his
team, is to choose the cleverest young
SterS from among the bunch.
Among the many letters from play
ers seeking berths, probably the one
that interested Smith the most was
one from young Joe Murphy of In
dianapolis. Murphy. according to
Ownie Bush, the doughty little short
stop Of the Detroit Tigers, is one of
the corners among the minor and bush
leagues. The lad tried out with Smith
at Grand Rapids last season, but the
Blackstocking pitching staff was we'll
filled at the time, and the boy was let
go. Now, however Smith is ready to
give him a fair trial, and if the boys
ability has not decreased since last
summer, he will be almost certain 10
land job with the Benders.
Il After q Winner.
Smith was asked last night just
when he thought his team would be
completed. His answer was to the
point: The South Bend team will be
a winner. 1t may take six weeks or
two months. But It is going to be a
winner if II takes until the middle Of
the season to weed il out"
The popularity that Smith in his
several years experience as pilot of
various teams has obtained is evidenc-
ed by the many applications he has
received in the short period thst ii
has been known that he would own
and manage the local team. He is one
Of the most independent managers in
the circuit, and has many original
ideas upon how to conduct a winning
baseball season. He has gained the
reputation OF managing his teams TO
suit himself
He said last night: ct realize that
il is going 10 be hard 20 get together a
real ball club in the short time in
which I have to work. 1t is going to
be a real club, however, and a fast
one. I Will watch the smaller leagues
for promising material and when the
major institutions begin wedding out
the raw material, should secure some
real talent"
Is After Pitchers.
The Benders' pitching staff will be
made up OF two or three old heads, ac-
cording 10 Smith. he feels that in this
particular department the team will
need men of some experience and
steadiness. The bulk OF the hurting
duty will fall upon two or three men
this season. and irCL arms will be
sought by tho lcce. management.
Several youngstCIS VIII be given
chance 20 try Their arms. also.
Smith VII make a nip 10 Spring
brock park this morning accompanied
by George Hell and Mr.. Daley. owner
of the park The neeGs OF the park
to make il one Of tho best in the cir
cult Will be considered. and plaps will
be laid for the WORK. that viii be re-
qdired upon IL.
Smiths office will be located in one
OF the downtown office buildings He
will expect all his friends 10 drop in at
times 10 see him, and he says he will
be ready at all times 10 talk over old
times with any OF the old Greenstock-
ing fans.
H~..r- -