The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-26
NASHVILLS HOLDS HEALTHY LEAD AND STILL IS WINNING

H BIRMINGHAM fandom will have N its first opportunity to get 0 look at the highly touted New Orleans Pelicans at Redwood flelo this afternoon, when Johnny Dooos brings his pennant hopefuls to the Magic City for three-game series.
 At the present sitting, J. Dobbs x Go. are drifting gracefully along just below the high-iying Nashville Nolun- teers in the percentage column. Since the opening gun the Pelicans have an- nexed nine battles and have lost but three, and two of the three disasters came at the hands of the Barons Rurleigh Grimes and Dick Robertson played the leading role on these two occasions, while Omar HardgroVe, aided and abetted by Johnson and Black, allowed the Pels to register brace of victories against the cham pions.
 It is Omar Hardgroves turn to as- sume hurling difficulties, but it Is doubtful whether the old master will be sent in against the Pelicans in the opener Thus far this season at least, Omar, like, his namesake of Rubiayat fame, has attracted atten- ton mainly through retrospection of other days, and it is hardly likely that Manager Molesworth is going to take a chance on getting above the 300 mark by stalking the game on a repu- tation But the wisdom of the sapient Baron pilot passeth all understanding, to-wit: Jimmy MaGee and he of the sore digits-and he may give Hardy another chance to harken to the knock of opportunity. If the veteran moundsman is called upon he has hosts of friends in Birmingham pull ing for him, and for victory. And there are some who still refuse to consgn the old sleuth to category of the ef- fete.
 Critics almost in common accord, have hailed the 1915 Pelieans as the cla ss of the league, and thus far J. Dobbs has managed to live up to his reputation. At any rate, the Pels have been strengthened considerably since their crucial series with the Barons last season, at which time Birmingham ascended to the top of the pennant ladder. Messrs. Starr, Hemphill and Lindsay have been con signed to where the woodbine twineth and the messy lambrequin hangeth in luxurious profusion, and in their places have been stationed such art fists as Thomas, Flick and Micllie Coyle. Johnny Dobbs also, has strengthened his hurling brigade con- siderably, adding thereto Pop Boy" Smith and Cy Morgan. In the Peli- cans the Barons are going to meet a better club than they did in New Or leans, but if they handle the willow as effectively ,as they did against the Cracker hurlers, they ought to get away with the laughing end of the series
 Just as long as the Barons cling to the 800 mark everybody is satisfied, but at their present gait it looks as if the champs. are destined to a more suspicious standing There is little doubt but that the present lineup comprises the most affluent aggrega- tion of pure and unadulterated hit ters that has been seen near the con- fines of Redwood Field in century. AS somebody once remarked. the fans are willing to overlook a few pebbles so long IS the perpetrators thereof can annex with frequency the luscious bingle which brings joy to the grand stand and noise to the bleachers. At present the Barons are fielding in great style, too. and Capt Roy Ellam is fast getting his infield into tip-top shape. Ellam, by the way, is putting up one of the best articles of base ball of his career, and the way he