Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-14

expected to send the first ball flashing
across the plate, in the first game of the
1914 season.
The spring training trip furnished an
unusual problem for Jennings to decide.
During the last five years wedding out
poor material was comparatively an easy
task for the manager. The squad this
season, on paper at least, proved to be of
unusual calibre Only three men have
been sent to the minors. Youngsters
and they include players who starred in
class A. A. leagues-are fighting hard for
positions which veterans have not
clinched. Recently Jennings was quoted
upon his regular lineup until at least
half dozen of his recruits were sub
jected to major league opposition.
Barring the unexpected. the opening
game will find Cobb, Crawford, Stanage,
Bush and possibly Moriarity and Veach
In their regular positions. First base and
second base are doubtful spots Gamer
may start at the initial sack but it is
probable Burns or Pipp, recruits. will
have the call Witt or Baumann will
play second unless Kavanaugh RECEIVERS
from the attack of stomach trouble con-
tracted at Gulfport. The latter. who TO
many resembles Jennings when the
shortstop was at his best as a player. is
considered one of the most promising of
the new men. Billy Purtell. who many
predict, will be the regular third base
man this season, was spiked in recent
practice game and his foot Is still sore.
SO Moriarity may cover the corner where
he played so well last wear.
Veach is the only outfelder fighting for
his job but Demmitt, the recruit from the
International League, has batted poorly
during the training trip games while
Veach, an cratic fielder. has met the
ball hard. Demmitt will undoubtedly be
given a trial when he RECEIVERS his bat
ting eye.
New York.
The New York American League Club
under the leadership of Frank Chance.
makes it's 1914 debut with virtually new
lineup. With the exception of Roy
Hartzell, second base; Ed. Sweeney,
catcher and several pitchers. the person
mel consist of players who Joined the club
late last season or this spring. Under
the circumstances any definite forecast
of the playing ability of the team as
whole is out of the question. According
to Chance, spring training conditions at
Houston, Tex, were far more satisfac-
tory than was the case in Bermuda last
year. This statement is borne out by
the work Of the team since its return to
New York.
Both collectively and individually the
PLAYERS show better physical condition
and team work than at the beginning OF
the 1918 season. Considered in the light
of the exhibition games played just pre-
vious to the opening of the pennant race
the Yankees are fully 90 per cent. strong
er than u months ago. Chance appears
to have fairly satisfactory and consis-
tent pitching staff with King Cole, War
hop. Caldwell, McHale and Heating as
the most promising twirlers at this time.
Behind the bat Sweeney and Gossett will
be the mainstays and Sweeney has i'm
proved remarkably in every department
of defensive play.
The infield, consisting at present OF
Williams, Hartzell Peckinpaugh and
Maisel. is far superior to that OF last
year. Williams, under Chances coach
ing has developed into a fast, clever
first baseman. Peskinpaugh at short and
Maisel at third promise to be an excep-
tionaI pair in the field and on the bases.
Considerable experimenting is likely be-
fore the final outfield combination is Sc
lected but in WaWlsh. Gilhooley, Cooke
and Channel the Club has four outfie!d-
ers of more than average ability.
Taken as a whole the team appears to
be fast fielding and base-running com
bination which has already begun TO
show signs of using up-to-date baseball
tactics Unless HartzeI can play up to
the speed of Peckinpaugh and Maisel,
however, second base bay prove weak
link in the chain.
Another seasoned catcher to relieve
Sweeney and Gossett in case of accidents
is also essential. Extensively the squad
does not appear at this time to be over
strong in batting but Chance believes
that this department of the game Will
improve with more practice and play.
ST. Louis.
The st. Louis Americans this year will
be right hand club, p of the Browns
swinging from the risnt side and eight
from the left. Four of the batters can
hit from either side of the plate. OF the
pitchers but three-Weiman, Hamilton
and Leverenz--are southpaws the other
seven twrling with right arms. Two Of
the right handlers are veterans or last
neutrality-suspicious. and Mitchell-While
the new men are, James portland Pa
cifc Coast League; Taylor tAustin.
Texas League) Fred Witte CDanville
I'D; Edward Manning montgomery,
Southern League; Harry Hook tBing-
hamton. n. Y State Leaguel.
Manager Hickey is well fortified at first
base. Jack Leary secured from the Utica
tN. Y. State League) and Ivan Howard
from the Los Angeles Pacific Coast
League) showing well. Leary has the
better chance of getting the regular as
sessment.
Pratt and Wares, the latter secured
from Montgomery Southern last season
will work at the second sack with the
veteran Wallace at shortstop to alter
nate with Bisland who came to the
Browns at the end of last season from
the Southern League. This is Wallaces
eighteenth successive season in the ma
tional pastime and from the form he is
displaying in the spring series 1t looks
Of rapllar DlaNing Tor