South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-27
SINGER PITCHER
WILL GET CHANCE
WITH HOLSTERS
Butch" Martin, Who Won
Every Game Last Year,
Signs COntract-Smith Will
Have Charge of Park.

Butch" Martin, the spectacular
finger of the factory league who
gained an enWable reputation with
the champion Singer club last season
has been signed by Ed Smith accoI d.
ing TO an announcement made by the
hOOsier owner last night.
Martin is considered a find by the
South Bend magnate who has watched
young Martin in action several times
ana mas been keeping track of hun.
Butch" won every game ne hurled
for the Singers last year, having five
victories 10 his credit. He pitched
two and one-third innings of another
contest and allowed but one hit.
Butch is probably the most sem
satiOnal youngster who has been de-
veloped on the local diamonds in sew
eral years. One of mis- five games in
the factory league last year was a no
R.t fray for him while he allowed but
"a bingles during the entire factory
league season. In three successive
Sunday games for the Fiweks, Martin
allowed but one hit, two of the con-
tests showing a blank for the bingle
column of his opponents.
Two years ago Martin Joined the
Singer team. He had just recovered
from an attack of typhoid fever and
during the season he was unable to go
down in the sixth or seventh innings
after he had held his opponents at his
mrecy with his peculiar mixture OF
speed and slow balls. But last spring,
under II e tutorship of Manager Seq
ETY. of the Singers Butch" began to
develop lasting powers which were UNI
breakable while his speed and variety
were unsolvable puzzles for his oppOn-
ents. Martin was first brought to the
youngster hurled seven innings against
the HoOsiers in an exhibition game
and allowed them but two safetieS.
Martin is less than 20 years old. He
weighs $50 pounds and is more than
six feet tall. He is Of almost perfect
build for a hurler and Will suit Smiths
idea as to size in every respect. II
Martin makes good as he is expected
to do Ed will have a staff of hurlers
that cannot be beat in Southern Mich
igan. Local fans will be pleased to
hear that one Of their favorites will
be given a chance with the Hoosiers
this spring and hope that Martin will
make OF himself what it expected. He
is an industrious, careful and hard
working ball player whose record in
the factory league shows him to make
every effort to succeed.
Smith practically closed negotiations
for the leasing of the ball grounds at
Springbrook park Friday. He held a
conference with G. ID. Emmons of the
Northern Indiana Railway Co, at
which papers for the leasing of the
grounds were made which will be
signed within the next few days.
Smith will have entire charge Of the
ball park this season, both on off and
schedule dates.
Bill Silver, the heavy weight ground
keeper will go on duty at the park
within few days as Smith has order
ed several loads Of dirt taken to the
park next week. The dirt Will be
used in leveling the ground around
the spots which were cantered over
by Stevenson and Ben Koehler last
year. There are several bad spots
on the diamond which will be repaired
and Smith hopes TO have the grounds
in perfect shape for the opening OF
the training season the first week in
APRIL