The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-18
JAkE'S JUNK.

The players of practically all clubs
OF the Western League will report
for training sometimes this week But
three will go on training trips. This
trio will consist of the Topeka, Sioux
City and Denver clubs. As has been
recited, the pitchers and catchers of
the Topeka club have had a weeks
workout at Dennison. Tex, and the
others are due to report today. The
Denver team will train as usual at Ex-
celsior Springs although Jack Corey.
Larry Sphar and Charlie French have
been at Hot Springs, Ark, with the In
dianapolis American Association club
for several days. The Sioux City club
was due to report at Tulsa yester-
day.
The other clubs will train at home.
and with all teams beginning the
spring work, the fans naturally begin
to estimate the strength of the various
organizations and discuss the personnel
Of the management.
There will be but one new manager
on the circuit and that will be Jack
Western League man but this is his
first year as manager. Nick Maddox
of Wichita and Josh Clarke Of the
Sioux City clubs can hardly be con-
sidered new managers as they handled
their respective clubs a part of last
season. Nevertheless they have not
been given a chance to demonstrate
ten when they accepted the position
as pilot last year. This season, they
have started in with few old and q
few new players and they may
change condition Of affairs on the
O'Nein circuit.
AS to the strength Of the teams, there
is no method of determining the
strength Of them. The Denver club.
with practically an all-star cast last
year will be practically q new team
and with the prospects that have been
learned and Jack Hendricks absent.
the team has been given second d.
vision berth. But one can never tell.
Their pitcher staff, at present is COM
posed of none but Barney Schneider,
and he is a SecOnd-clasS pitcher, even
in the Western League.
The Omaha team may be one of the
surprises of the year. The personnel has
been changed Pa Rourke has a new
tnfield, one new man in the Outfeld,
q few new pitchers and few old ones.
There is no method Of determining the
strength of this aggregation.
The Sioux City, Lincoln and Des
Moines clubs cannot be placed. Each
club lost valuable players by sale or
draft and the ability of the managers
eAA~S~
future performances Of the club.
The St Joseph club has lost many
players. Some were sold, some were
drafted. two joined the Federal League
and others have retired This will cause
the club to face the starter April II
with practically a new organization
whose strength cannot be estimated.
The Topeka club. in our opinion, ap-
pears stronger and we predict the best
season In the history Of organized base
bali. for the Topeka club and fans. We
may be overestimating the clubs
strength but IL we have, It will be be-
cause the pitchers fail to develop.
However. we predict a first division
club and will be well satisfied with IT.
Abbott, well known over the Western
League, Will manage the Keolkuk club
OF the Central Association this year
and will go to Keokuk some time be-
tween April 1 and rADril Is.
Players who are promoted from the
Western League to class A A teams
have formed a habit of s.stfcking." Just
look at Roxy Middleton staying ON the
Coast, McLarry at Louisville, z. z
Hagerman from the Coast to Cleve-
land club for second chance In the
majors. Joe Barton to the Coast