The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-04
NOLAN AND WAGNER ALREADY ON HAND;
 MORE COMING TODAY
Local Baseball Season Will Be Off, cially Opened Today-Hurling Staff Needs Bolstering Up.
 Roy Ellam Will Have
 Little Opposition
Fly ASA ROUNTREE, JR.


 of ceremonies, the advance squa0 of
 Barons will swing Into action this
 morning on Redwood field and off
 cially open the local baseball season.
 Manager Molesworth will be unable to
 return to the city from Florida before
 Thursday. and until then the hard
 hitting center fielder will preside over
 the activities at Rickwood.
 William Nolan, young amateur finger from New York, and F. B. Wag ner, semi-professional catcher from
 the sand lots of the Windy City were
 the first of the Baron rockies to make their appearance. Nolan arrived in Bir-
 mingham late Monday night and re- ported to President Baugh yesterday morning, while Wagner ktrolled into the baseball headquarters late in the afternoon.
 Although only four players are on hand 1t is expected that by this after noon the squad will be materially in- creased, as nearly every train will like ly bring some new arrival.
 Nolan a Right -Hander Pitcher Nolan is a right-hander and was recommended to Moley by a
  very promising youngster. Wagner Is also a youngster and was signed by the Baron manager on the recommenda- tion of William A. Phelon, the well
 known baseball authority
 The gradual rise of the thermometer yesterday gives promise that the Barons will be able to get in a good workout today. Should the weather continue to stay warm during the comtAg week Manager Molesworth will be enabled to get a good line on his youngsters. It is likely that only light practice will be indulged in during the remain der of the week and that work will commence in earnest next Monday Others to Report
 Those who are expected to report during the remainder of the week arg
 Tragresser. Wallace and Clifton. catch | CTS; Hardgroye, Gregory, Lively, liar ben, Johnson, Ponder, Fittery, Sloan Murphy and Whitney pitchers. I The hurting staff this season is com posed mostly of youngsters and Mole, has hard job to face in training them Several weeks ago the Baron pitching staff was a very acceptable one, but the desc rtion of Joe Finneran and Bur | leigh Grimes, and the refusal of Cur 1 ley" Brown to come into the fold has left matters in bad way and Moley Is in a serious predicament for depend able fingers.
 However. the outlook for a strong backstopping department during the coming season is exceptionally good Tragresser and Wallace appear to Dc two reliable receivers, while Clifton who was the secondary catcher fasi year, may be depended upon to mako a warm bid for a berth again this sea son. Wagner, the semi professional from Chicago. is also cracked up to be a good man, and he may possibly make things interesting for the other can didates.
 Trouble With Infield The infield enigma is likely to give Moley trouble in several places. Nc. Denald at third base, is asking for al exorbitant salary and threatens to join the Feedrals unless this is granted him As the rules of the Southern league will not permit the payment of the salary he demands, Mcdonald must either lower them or make good his threat. Should ht pursue the latter course then the local chieftain will have a gaping hole al third to contend with.
 Ellam will probably be back at short Edwards, a youngster from Winston Salem in the North Carolina league. IL the only other contestant for that posi- ton, and he will have to show sen sational improvement over last years form in order to get away with Ellam's job. Marcan at second has no opposition as yet and may escape competition al. together unless MOley can secure s player superior to him from the ma. iors. The Baron leader Is seeking an other infie1der and 1t may develop thai he intends giving Marcan the pink sliI this season. An effort was made 8 shor' Az1 11r <A Clyde Wares from the St. Louis Browns but Branch Hickey was sweet on hin and refu15ed to separate with hts ser vices.
 First base will be covered this sea. son by Covington, who was purchased from the St. Louis Browns. Covingtor is said to be a reliable fielder. fail
 batter and fast on the bases. If thls proves to be the case then the fnitia sack will be well taken care of during the coming season.
 Left Field Only Worry In the outf1eld only one position--left feld--is giving Moley any worry. Nc. Bride is holding out for more salary and yle local management opines that l. he does not deserve an increase and is standing firm. Moley Is dickering for an other outfielder and should he land one then McBride will be in danger oi walking the plank before spring train ing is over.
 Jimmy Magee. from the Lowell ciut | in the New England league, and Hern- don. who was recalled from Albany 1T the South Atlantic, are the only con testants for the center field berth. Il records for the 1918 season count fol anything then Magee will have littl' trouble in cinching the position. Hern don will no doubt give Magee warn 1 fight.
 Knisely will be shifted to right fiel' this season and will have no opposi l ton for that berth.
 l A player to be reckoned with thi
 spring Is Charley Carroll. For two year l he has acted as utility man and durin' this time has shown decided improve ment in every department. In case Nc Donald should join the Federals the' Carroll will be on hand to defend tha position against all corners.