The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-23
GOSSIP OF THE GAME


| [By J. Lewis. Official Scorer.1
The Kaws appear to have three pitch
ers who are approaching real pitching
form. This trio is Paul Brown. Pep
per- Clarke and Barney McGrath.
since the season opened but Ii expected
to show additional form which will
place him on an equal basis with the
leading pitchers of the circuit. Pep
per-" Clarke, in the Thursday game at
Omaha, gave evidence of real pitching
form. and under ordinary conditions
would have won his game. Nothing
but the exceptional work OF Pitcher
Triple prevented Clarke from winning.
Clarke fe a slow starter. He began the
1913 season with five consecutive de-
feats and lost but two more games
Barney McGrath appears to have
gained form. or at least his showing at
Des Moines would indicate such.
Barney got q bad start by allowing
four runs in the first inning and held
the Boosters to q shutout over the
enough to win many games but his
teammates couldn't land on Sam Laf-
ferty when hits meant runs. The
pitching stan will soon be able to hold
up it's end Of the work.
The performance Of the Kaws ac-
cording to the official averages. IL suf-
ficient to convince one that the club
cannot be held at the bottom Of the list
very long. While this club is fifth in
team batting averages. there is but
one club on the circuit which has made
more hits. The Denver club leads the
league with 2s7 hits and the Kaws have
292 hits. The remainder Of the clubs
follow in order: Sioux City. 290; Des
Moines: 2ss; Lincoln and st. Joseph.
260; Wichita, 252. and Omaha, PAS.
The Kaws lead in extra base hitting
with a total Of IS and Lincoln is second
with 63. The Denver club Is leading
with the total number of bases batted
with 1875. while the Kaws have hit for
423 bases. The Kaws are seventh in
the stolen base column and third in
sacrifice hitting. The margin in team
fielding on the Western League cir
cult is SO close that very little advan-
tage Is offered to any club on the
circuit.
The papers at st. Joe arc complaining
of the poor attendance in their city
and around over the Western League
circuit, but seek to hide tho shame Of
the fans of their own city. These st.
Joe writer's have complained Of every
town on the circuit and last Sunday,
with Wichita as the attraction less than
$500 fans witnessed the game but the
writer's said the crowd exceeded $500.
About 600 saw the Monday game.
Lack of attendance appears to be
the wall Of every town on the circuit
but the interest appears to be as
great as ever.
If Jack Holland has been quoted
correctly by the st. Joe Gazette the
big manager is either inconsistent or
talking for free advertising. In a re-
cent issue Holland is quoted as being
a believer in organized baseball and
opposed % the policy Of the Federal
league. The ideas of Holland as
quoted by the Gazette follow: Jack
Holland believes in organized baseball
and he is right. Organized baseball
has done everything for baseball that
it can boost and the Federals are no
better than thieves, who are stealing
the fruits of the business. He be-
1ieves baseball has been greatly in
jured by the Federals." As we recall,
last winter Holland was quoted by the
same papers as being in favor Of the
Western league Withdrawing from the
National Association Of Baseball
Clubs and playing Independently. Un-
der these conditions, this department
is unable to determine what Holland
really does want.
Omaha's. has been released to Sioux.
Josh Clark will soon have the entire
Gate City team over in Sioux City, he
took about one-third Of 1t when he
took Jim Kane.
The organization Of all clubs into
leagues and leagues into the National
association has brough the game up
to its high standard. Now the Fed
eral league Is attempting to cause an
eruption. thus throwing the clubs and
players into a panic and reduce the
game to its original starting place.
Lincoln News: Phil Koerner struck
out four times in game in Lincoln
couple Of weeks ago. This was his
first experience in that line since
breaking into baseball. Wednesday
at Omaha the big Topeka first base
man gave an exhibition Of how to hit
the ball. Phil was up hve times and
Cleaned as many hits. They must
have been real hits, because he got
credit for them in Omaha-which Is
some achievement.
Lincoln Star: We agree heartily with
Ham" Hamilton. sport scribe Of the st.
Joseph Gazette. in his assertion that
the Denver pitchers can not hold the
opposition in check. However. the
Mile High twirlers do not have to hold
the batters in absolute control with
| such men as Butcher, Block, Cassidy
and Faye batting behind them.
MISSOURI TO MEET AGGIE&
Tigers Claim Advantage Over Kansas
Farmer Team.
Manhattan. Kan. May 2s.-Athletes
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