The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-09
CRACKERS RETURN | FROM VALDOSTAIN SPLENDID SHAPE Squad In Superb Condition Following Month of
 January
PARKS REMODELED TO
 ACCOMMODATE MORE
Arthur Marcan and Outfielder Os- born Still Absent From Franks
 Roster-Lennox is Named
 Field Captain of Team

Atlanta, April S.-(Special) )-The Crack CTS returned home Wednesday night, after a months sojourn in Valdosta, in their training camp there, and were well comed back Thursday afternoon by a large crowd of fans when they lined up in an exhibition game with the Macon Tigers.
 The game also marked the christening of the new grandstand and field, which has been remodeled so as to accommo- date about twice as many people as for merly. The bleachers and grandstand were both extended forward until the fans are all nearer the field of play than formerly.
 The ticket booths, turnstiles and walks leading to the park were also moved so as to facilitate the handling of big crowds, and they are arranged so, that when a person buys his ticket he keeps right on into the park. By following the railing he cannot go, wrong. He does not have to look for the entrance.
 The Crackers are in splendid condition, with the exception of Eddie Lennox, third sacker, and Jake Munch, first baseman. These men are nursing sore whips, but are otherwise in perfect condition.
 The pitching staff is ready for the gong, as evidenced by the fact that all the men have been able to go nine in- nings in their recent starts.
 PERKINS TO JOIN TEAM
 Catcher Cy Perkins, who made won- derful record for the Raleigh club in the Carolina league last season, by hand- ling all but 10 of 11O0 chances in 115 games, will join the Crackers here Sum day. Perkins will probably catch the opening game of the season in Mobile.
 Manager Frank is after another catcher and this man will probably be the first string man, with Niederkorn, Gutierrez and Perkins fighting it out for the sec- ond string berth though Connie Mack, from whom the Crackers secured Per kins, says that he is first string ma terial.
 Eddie Lennox, the former Brooklyn third sacker. and the past two seasons with the Pittsburg Federals, has been named captain of the team by Manager Frank and his appointment has met with the approval of the fans and players alike.
 If Marcan and Osborn report, which seems doubtful, there will be a scramble for one infield and one outfield berth, but to our notion neither one of these men WILL nave d cHdIlCS lO pcttI out the present occupant.
 The Crackers are improving with each exhibition game they play. Their condf- tion is superb and all they needed was a few games to get their signals work ing smoothly.
 Southern league fans will see a smooth working team, good in the field, fast on the bases and fine hitters with five big six-foot hurlers in splendid shape.
 Against the Mobile Gulls next Friday the Crackers will probably present the following lineup ana batting order:
 McMillan, shortstop.
 Thrasher, right field
 Moran, left field. Mcdonald, center field.
 LennoX, third base.
 Gagnier, second base. Munch, first base.
 Perkins, catcher.
 Perry, pitcher.
  and Wyoming.
 New York: H. J. Prendergast, 97 North Carolina w. l.. Hefner, sS.
 North Dakota: J. W. Sturgeon, 96.
 Ohio: J. Rummell. 9S.
 Oklahoma: J. A. Campbell, 99. Oregon: L. Rayburn, 9s
 Pennsylvania: c. H.. Newcomb, 9S.
 Rhode Island: %*No state association. South Carolina: J. H. Staples, 9S.
 South Dakota: A. J. French. 9S.
 Tennessee: *Thomas Hale. 99. Texas: T. Bryant, go.
 Utah. c. H. Reilly, Jr., 99
 Vermont: c. H. Burr. 93.
 Virginia: w. D. Funnel, 9S.
 Washington F. J. Chingren, 99.
 West Virginia: H. L. Smith, 100.
 Wisconsin: G. V. Dering, 9s.
 Wyoming: Affiliated with Colorado ana New Mexico.
 aWon championship in 1914 also.
 xaNov has state aSSOcafion.