South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-14
Local Manager Will Spend
Next Two Weeks in Round
ing Up Fast Fighting Team
Arndt to Cover First.
Ten CLUB CIRCUIT TO
OPEN ON APRIL 29
Saginaw Viii Open Season in
This City-Fourteen Sun
day and Holiday Games to Be
Played Here.

While Ed smith, manager Of the
South Bend baseball team in the
Michigan Southern league, has not
signed any players as yet he says he
will devote the next two or three days
| in looking over the ground for likely
talent. Two youngsters from Grand
Rapids will probably be the first out
side men signed. That is, they Will be
if Manager Essick of the Grand Rapids
club can be induced to part with them
for a reasonable figure.
His pitching staff is still in the air.
SAYS Smith. He has not heard from
anyone desiring a berth, but as their
is plenty of available talent abroad.
he thinks il should not be a difficult
matter to fit South Bend out with
bunch of first class hurlers.
Cap Briggs, Of Toledo. has put
Smith on the trail of a likely young
catcher. who halls from the north end
of Michigan. The debate at Toledo
yesterday was successful In many ways
in suggesting new and promising ma
terial TO all the managers present.
Each knew of players who had showed
talent in previous seasons, but who for
the present were out of jobs. Smith,
it is thought, will act in several of the
suggested cases, and no doubt Will en-
deavor to get in the running for the
loose talent De1OTe any Oh the OlAtA
helmsmen.
Work on Park Repairs.
That the work on Springbrook park
will entail a neat sum is the outlook
at present. The grandstand will need
overhauling and the diamond de-
mands a thorough going over. smith
will endeavor to do away with the old
wagon gate, and will sell all tickets at
the one ticket office. Automobiles
will be allowed to enter the same gate
as the others. but will leave the park
| by the wagon gate.
The park at Toledo costs the Ohio
city owners $4,000 year. 1t is one
of the best parks in the country, how
ever, and Bradley said yesterday that
he considered the money well spent.
The owners of the park will supply
the ground keeper. Bill Silver, Of
Grand Rapids, will tend the local
grounds if an offer of Smiths proves
tempting enough.
1t took six hours for the directors
to decide 20 grant the Toledo franchise
to @. II. Bradley, owner of a string of
picture houses. There was at first
some difference Of opinion as to which
of two Toledo interests was the safest
and best. both in a financial and pop
ular way. The popular decision OF the
Ohio fans seemed to rest with Brai-
lev. but as earlier in the transaction
i
conferred with Chas StrObel regard
ing the granting of the franchise. tNe
league directors consented to hear
both sides of the case.
The meeting was called to order at
1880. The first business TO come up
was the proposed expansion of the
league, taking in South Bend and To-
ledo. Pres Frank had previously been
assured that five of the eight owners
of the league would favor the eXpan-
sion, and when the ballot was taken it
was seen that there was not a dissent
ing vote. 1t was feared for time
that John Morrisey. owner of the
LaTsing cub, would stand against the
adoption OF the two cities. but when
he failed TO put in an appearance.
their fears were ended. /. L. MoOs-
brugger. late in the day, arrived at the
hotel and announced that he was
proxy for Morrisey.
Bradley Is Heard.
After arguments had been tossed
pro and con, Bradley was called into
the meeting 10 place his plea
before the board. Bradley is one of
the most talked of young men in To-
ledo. having made quite a comfortable
fortune. il S said. from a string of
motion picture houses in the Ohio city.
His talk. according to members of the
board. was straightforward and made
a good i'm IMPRESSION upon his hearers.
1t developed in the estimation of
the board through a hearing from To-
cal Toledo sources, that Bradley was
the most popular young man of that
city in sporting circles. He never be-
fore has dabbled in baseball though
it is said he is a rabid fan.
After Brsiley's proposition had been
placed before the directors, StrObel
was called in. Strobel has at other
times been at the head Of baseball ag-
gregations in Toledo, being one Of the
founders Of the American association
franchise in that city. and for years
before that hacker of various teams.
1t was found. according TO reports.
chat he was held in the i'll graces Of
alleged mismanagement. It also de-
veloped that the lease for the services
for the season Of Swayne
park would no be given by the
parks owner, Noah H. Swayne. TO
Strobel II was said. at least that
Strobel would have trouble in getting
the lease. Swayne was perfectly will
ing that Bradley should have it how
ever, even without great bond.
Willing TO Post Money
Pres Frank said that the Brailey
proposition looked the best, in the
opinion of the directors. on account
of the willingness OF the interested
parties 10 put up forfeit money at any
time. StrObel was reported 10 have
said that he would not give his note
for any purpose at the present time.
1t was voted 10 open the schedule
on April % play IA game season,
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.)