The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-26
Chicks Easy for Barons in Opener
Can you beat it?


 It was about the most surprising feat that has entered Birmingham for several days. The news is gen. orally known today. When the first reports of a Baron victory came over the wire late yesterday aft ernoon the message from the front spread like wildfire and soon the fans were talking of the Barons chances to win the rag although the drive is yet to be started.
 The game yesterday was typ ical Baron victory. We outplayed the Chicks and took advantage of the fact that diminutive Dick Kerr was suffering weakness in his twirling arm from overwork. The Moley bunch pounded the offer ings of the little southpaw to all corners of the lot and Fred Der rick even gave the colored gents in far left field at Russwood chance to scramble for a ball.
 Derrick is playing a wonderful game at present. For the past two weeks the Baron initial sacker has been fielding around his bag in faultless style and knocking the life out of the pill. And that's what counts. We need a few hefty hit ters and the qualifications seems to be filled. The Barons. collectively, are dangerous group of sluggers from Jimmy Eschen, who leads off, to the twirler who stands last in line for a swat at his opposing moundsman's benders.
 Together with Fred Derrick, Comes Emil Meusel. Tex Mcdonald and Red Smith as demon swatters of the team for the past couple of weeks or so Jimmy Eschen and Eddie Mcdonald must also be taken into consideration and especially the former who has proven a very effective man to send out on the paths to cross the platter. Danny Clark is in a hitting slump, while Kid Caton is showing wonderful improvement. Any one of the Bar on fingers must be looked upon as occasional hitters and especially when a rally is needed to be start ed
 The team is not so bad. after all, are they? But if they lose this se- ries to the Chicks, well, I guess they won't be quite as good as they will be if they cop the honors. And if they lose the series to the Travellers well-(?). Better send them to the old soldiers home. But @I I according to Moley, Watch our smoke" is their slogan.
 All that the fans have to say is that after the smoke has cleared away the Barons will be found on or near the top of the ladder. A sensational drive can place the Barons in striking distance of the top and then little series with the wins on the right side can set Bir- mingham baseball mad. Oh, if they'll only win! It would make af- fairs more interesting at any rate.
 The Barons enjoy an off day today and will idle away the time in the camp of the Chickasaws. The rest will probably do the team good and especially the pitchers,
 
 present. Double bills and relief ex- petitions will hurt the effectiveness of good twirler more than any thing else.
 It was Elmer Ponder's time to work yesterday, but Moley dis patched Burleigh Grimes, the speed king, to the firing line.
 Burleigh pitchedsa swell game but was accorded equally as good sup port. The combination that the Barons had yesterday brings back sweet memories of the days of "A when the tribe marched over everything that was offered in the Southern league. Believe me, pal, wouldn't it be nice for them to start that stuff again?
 The triple combination that the Barons won yesterdays game with was good hitting, good pitching and good fielding." Take these three things and team Is mighty hard to beat if it is really possible. Moley can put the brains of the game to the best of 'em, and all that is necessary is for the boys to give a little help. And this they seem to be doing. Remember the slogan!
 The past week was the most suc- cessful for the Barons in ages.