The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-09


Indianapolis, Ind, March 8
whoa Bill Phillips, the taciturn
leader of he two-time champions of
the Federal League, is going to lead
about the same crew into the 1915
pennant flight. The Hoosiers were
easily the class of the baby major
league last season and Bill can't
see where his club needs whole lot
of bolstering. One thing he needs,
and he freely admits it, is another
good pitcher, one who can be depend
ed on to win half his games or little
over. This man must essentially be
a southpaw, too, as the Hoosiers were
slightly weak in that species last sea-
son.
One other thing that is worrying
the officials more than they will ad-
NIT. That is the fact that Vim Camp
bell, formerly with Pittsburg and Bos-
ton and an outfielder extraordinary,
has not yet attached his signature to
a 1915 contract Neither has Bill Nc
Kechnie, the snappy little third base
man. The absence of these two would
leave Phillips in pretty Dad MOLE
Both are holding out for more money,
it is said, which the club officials have
as vet refused to meet. However,
Phillips is fairly confident Iaek they they VIII
pires shout play ball.
Carr Is Out.
With these two back in line, Phil
lips is planning to stand pat, with pos
sibly one exception. That is first base.
Charley Carr, the veteran, who played
age during the winter months and
gave up the job, and Phillips is
grooming his sensational little outfield-
er, Ed Rousch for the job, and the
youngster looks like a conner. He is
fast on his feet, good hitter and a
streak on bases. Bill kept him on the
bench most of last season and when
he did let him get into the game as
the season, ne clouted the ball for an
average of $40 and fielded like
fiend.
There is one other. candidate for the
bag, Hap HUM, a recruit. Also, there
is a possibility that should Campbell
not come to terms, leaving a hole in
the outfield. Phillips may secure Joe
AgIer of Buffalo, or Hugh Bradley of
Pittsburg to cover the bag, putting
Rousch back in the field. Chase has
crowded Agler out at Buffalo and Ed
Honey has done the same thing to
Bradley at Pittsburg.
Phillips is banking to a large eX-
tent on his batting strength to carry
him through the rough places this
season. There wasn't a team In the
league last year that could come near
the Hoosiers in batting. Six regulars
swatted the ball for better than 300
In Kauff, the 1914 sensation, Camp
DelI, ROuSCn ana dcheCnHle,
had four of the best base runners in
Gilmore's circuit.
The Hurting Department.
Falkenburg, MoSely, KaiSerling, Bill
lard, Mullin, and several youngsters
comprise the hurting department. The
first three are dependable men. Bill
lizard is erratic, pitching in and out
ball last year, and Mullin is in the
veteran class. However, Bill has a
faculty of developing youngsters and
it would not be surprising to see him
pick a few young phenoms out of his
usual lot when the season gets under
way.
Frank Laporte will be soon back at
second, as will Jimmie Esmond at
short McKechnie, it is presumed,
will go back to third.
In the receiving department Phillips
is well fortified with Bill Rariden and
Warren, a youngster of promise.
Rariden, aside from a slight batting
weakness, is one of the best receivers
fielding his position.
Scheer, Rousch, Kaiser, a rookie or
two, and Campbell, possibly. Should
Vim sign, the outfield will be composed
of him, in center, KauH in right, ana
Scheer or ROuSch in left.
Fans here are confidently expecting
to see the Hoosiers repeat this season.
They are solidly behind Phillips and
his club.
Members of the 1914 team not re-
uuested to report were Everett Booze,
outfielder; Carl Vandagrift, infielder;
Bill Warren, catcher; Bert Radf1eld,
pitcher, and Infielder Potter recruit