The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-24
KNISELY STILL TOPS KIRBY IN STRUGGLE FOR BATTING HONORS
Ss Ss Volunteers Escape With Final Game S SSs
From the Angle of the Bug
By ASA RovNTREE. JR-

pennant winning he must conserve the strength of his faithfuls so that they can get in their work where 1t will do the most damage.
 
 The Lookouts are exhausted, so dispatches from Chattanooga indi- cate, and this is preventing from playing up to the standard they are capable. The Barons started them on the soapy slide and since then the Billikens and Gulls have kicked in with their share of damage. But this exhaustion is small compared to that which they will be subjected when the Barons overhaul the Gulls and get on their trail in earnest.
 It is funny how time will change opinions. Some little while back when Edgar Willet deserted the Tigers for the Federals, President Navin of the Detroit club asserted that no attempt would be made to get the jumper back, as he had outgrown his usefulness. Since the season began Willet has been pitching great ball and Navin, forgetful of his previous declara- ton, has been hot on the former Tigers trail trying to tempt him DaCk. INeCtHtiy Ht JOui hSy Su eV Buffalo, where the St. Louis Feds were playing, cornered Willet in a hotel room and dished out a pat riotic brand of oratory for nearly an hour without effect. Backing this tlk was a flashy roll of green backs, but Willet turned cold shoulder to his ex-boss and stated he would stick by Mordecai Brown. Navin is not the only mogul in organized ball who have stated that he would not try to get jumper back and who then turned right around and offered flattering in- ducements for the player to return.
 Close on the heels of the flying Pi- rates stride the Giants. After poor start the Giants have worked their way into second place and have settled down to overhaul the Corsairs of the Smoky City. But it is doubtful, though, if the Giants would be in the position they are today had it not been for the flying start also taken by Jeff Tesreau, the Ozark Giant. It has been through his pitching that the Giants have been enabled to maintain their pace. Usually Tesreau has rounded slowly into shape, but this spring, when his colleagues were in poor condition. the Ozark bear stepped into the breach and shouldered the burden with the result that only are the Giants keeping their heads hish In the race but also that he is proving one of the Nationals stellar perform CTS on the firing line this year.
 
 From a position high in the standing the Crackers have gradually dropped ,,tnil they are now imbedded in the mire of the second division. For a time the team headed by Billy Smith played in consistent form, but of late they have been going erratically and from third place have slid to fifth. Billy Smith has gotten out his har- poon and is anxious to hook two ex- perienced moundsmen from the ma jors and also another catcher.
 The purchase of the Memphis club from Frank Coleman by Russell Gard ner a St Louis millionaire, means the exit of Colonel Coleman from South ern league activities. MT. Coleman has long been identified with the "Dixie Major" and although hls team has never brea sted the tape hrst Tn a league race. he has always done hls hest to provide the Memphis fans with a. good article of ball and has helped in bettering conditions in the south ern. MT. Coleman was well liked py his fellow moguls and was always ready 10 be of service when they were in distress. His departure is haiieo with genuine regret and the wei wishes of Southern league fandon nc doubt accompany. him in his depar' ture from active participation Tn ai' fairs of the league.