South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-09
HOTTEST RACE IN
8. NJ. s HISTORY
DUE THIS SEASON
Managers Must Not Underrate
Class of Circuit or They
Will Suffer Fate of Holmes
and Shannon.

The pennant race of 144 games in
Southern Michigan league race this
year will likely be the closest ever
known in the circuit. Last year there
we're at least two managers who I'M
derestimated the strength of the cir
cult, one or two cities that were play
ing the game purely from the box
office standpoint, and didn't let their
managers have full swing in getting
as strong a team as possible, and one
club that was continually in hard luck,
especially in the mater of pitchers out
of condition.
Saginaw and Bay City had new
managers. Holmes came to the South
ern Michigan from the Central league,
where players are wont to look upon
the S. NJ. circuit as real bush aggre-
cation. He admits that he underesti-
mated the strength of the circuit and
says the class last year was little be-
low that of the Central league.
Shannon Lost Out.
The other who came in ON a misap-
prehenSion was Hugh Shannon. who
started the season at Bay City and
took his team out in front the first
few weeks and threatened TO make a
runaway race. He thought he was
stronger than the circuit and let some
of his players go, and at the end of
and his team was in the second divi-
sion.
Kalamazoo and Adrian didn't give
their managers free rein in securing
players. Kalamazoo had trouble with
Pitcher Verne Hughey over salary
twice, and he jumped that many
times. Adrian let Pitchers Loomis
and Duffy. both high priced men, go
at time when the race was still close.
but Battle Creek had slight edge
toward the pennant. Jackson had
trouble with its pitchers for more than
month. Meyers men We're up against
cold weather proposition and sew
eral stars failed entirely. When the
pitchers did round into shape the club
took the most sensational brace ST any
aggregation during the entire year.
Strength More Equal.
The clubs that were the stronger
last year have been weakened and
others are strengthened. Kalamazoo
has come out with the statement that
the fans are TO have the best team
possible, which means that city will
be up in the race all the time. Jack
son has great hitting club, which is
seasOnablv strong in pitchers and
fielding ability.
South Bend and Toledo are the un-
known quantities in the race this
year. But it can be taken for granted
that they Will compare favorably with
the other eight clubs. Toledo and South
Bend have got TO have winners. and
these clubs will show the most changes
in the first month of the season if they
get away with a bad start.
Saginaw has secured a pitcher in
Russell Robbins, a left handler. who
comes heralded with q reputation.
Left handlers have been winners in the
league in the past. as Battle Creek
won a pennant with them last year,
and if Robbins is anywhere rs near as
good as Neihaus was last season. he
will alone put Saginaw in the race.
Saginaw's Outfield.
Saginaw's outfield is already known
as TO ability. and but one OF the old
infield outside of Holmes at catcher.
will be back. Tate, the new first
haseman. is declared 10 be a good
hitter. Jenkins will change his ad-
dress from Adrian TO Bay City. and
can be sure TO produce a good team.
just as he has done at Adrian for
three years. He developed many good
ball players in that city. Flint is IN
known. What Burke has and what
he will be able TO do can't be esti-
mated. Lansing has lost good men in
Simpson. Calm and Hemingway, but
has an excellent pitching staff in Neus-
chafer. LOOMS and Duffy McNellis
the peppery leader. will be back at sec
ond base for the Senators
Battle Greek has lost Neihaus and
Callahan, probably the best men of
the club last year. and Mcdonald. the
other ranking pitcher. has gone ID the
Western association 10 work for st
Joseph. The Cricket Outfield. however
of Green. LaRoss and Duncan. sizes
| up with any in the circuit
Rubber stamps and aIphabets.