The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
PROVE ID BE BIRMINGHAM'S
 MOST ARDENT FANS
Practically Every Minister in City Is Strong Sup
 ported of BarOns
EASTERN SECTION
 OF STANDS THEIRS
Ministers Unanimously Agree That Redwood Is Ideal Place to Wear Off WOrries--Are Intelligent
 Critics of the Play

Critics of the Play
 Of all the fans who, during the heated summer months flock to Redwood Field to witness the performance of Moles- worths clan, of all those who daily make the welkin ring with their vociferous ad- vice to the players. of all the bugs. there are none more ardent than the minis ters of Birmingham.
 At the eastern end of the grandstand, far back almost at the top of the stand, Is a row that is sacred to the preachers of Birmingham. It is their hangout. 1t is as much their recognized bailiwick as is the leftfield bleacher the stand of the leather-lunged wielder of the hammer.
 During the heated term, while the Bar ons are clashing with the invader it is g. poor day when one cannot locate any sort of a minister from a bishop to missionary on this same row.
 ARE ALL GOOD FANS
 And they are all good fans, too. They can root with the best of the bugs in the stand and they don't stand bit upon their dignity in giving vent to their feelings, either If a home player makes hit, they are among the first to spring to their feet in frantic approval and when bone is pulled they are not at all backward in calling attention to it.
 They are susceptible to the psychology of roofing, too and one of the sights at Redwood Field that has convulsed the writer with laughter was this row of staid, dignified dispensers of the gospel during the seventh inning of the real close game.
 Sweating, no perspiring. one probably should say in referring to the minister's their coats tucked under their arms, their hands full of peanuts, a pop bottle aere and there and the whole bunch joining in the monotonous cry to hit it out.
 It was a revealing sight and 1t is amazing how much nearer the average being felt toward these men, to find that they, too were human and enjoyed temporal pleasure.
 There are any number of ardent fans among the ministers of the city, but cer- tainly there Is no better known one than Dr. Preston Blake. pastor of the South side Baptist church. Dr. Blake follows the game with keen and intelligent interest and It is to be doubted if 'Moles- worth is any keener to put his finger on a weak spot than is pr. Blake. .
 WHY HE LIKES BASEBALL
 T like baseball because it is a clean, healthy, manly sport he declared in answer to a question as to the reason for his constant attendance at Redwood Field. T go because I not only derive a keen pleasure from seeing well-played game but because I can absolutely for get myself there I can shake all my cares off and forget everything for the moment.
 Then, too, think that I love the game because used to play 1t. When I was boy I played and when I went to college 1 played there and the love of the sound of the bat cracking against the ball has survived in my nature to this day despite the many other changes that have taken place.
 T not only go to see as many games as I possibly can. but follow the dope in the newspapers. When I am away on my vacation the sporting page is the first to which I turn when | receive The Age-Herald. I must know how the Bar ons are doing.''
 Another ministerial fan who is equally as well known as Dr. Blake is Bishop J. H. Mccoy, of the Methodist church, and former president of Birmingham col lege. w. D. Smith, president of the Bir- mingham Baseball association, tells an amusing story about Bishop Mccoy and his attendance at Redwood Field.
 BISHOP M'COY TRUE BLUE
 Before Bishop Mccoy was raised to the college, he was very enthusiastic fan," said MT. Smith, and l noticed him quite frequently out to see the Bar ons, but when he was elevated to be 8 member of the college of bishops. I mo- ticed that his visits ceased.
 "One day I met him on the streets and taxed him with his failure to honor us with his presence and he pleaded guilty. He didn't know whether it would be just the proper thing for him to do or not. Well, bishop l said. if it was all right for you to come to the baseball as Preacher Mccoy, it is certainly much better for you to come as Bishop Me Coy. The bishop thought for moment and then said, yes, guess you're right and he has been coming to Redwood ever since.'
 Bishop Mccoy not only goes himself, but he takes his little daughter and James. Jr.. along with him. so that they are learning to be fans also.
 Dr. J. w. Johnson of the First Metho- dist church delights to spend an after noon at Redwood Field and Dr. A. J. Dickinson of the First Baptist. is an oc- casienal visitor to the park, while Dr.. W. B. Holmes of the Independent Pres byterian church, ranks almost with Dr. Blake as a fan.
 LIKES WORDSWORTH The Rev. S. T. Slaton of the Norwood Methodist church, is keen follower of the game and has great confidence in Manager Molesworth.
 ''Moley sometimes starts in like ram,'' he said. "but he usually finishes run ming like deer. have great confidence in him and I expect to witness his good work for many seasons yet'' The Rev. J. E. Morris of the Fountain Heights Methodist church, Is almost al- ways to be found of a summer afternoon at Redwood helping the Barons pull her across. The Rev. J. w. Inzer of the Avondale Baptist, goes very frequently, while pr. J. M. Broadly of the Fifth Ave enue Presbyterian church, has favorite seat on the row above referred to. Dr. L. c. Branscomb. presiding elder of the Birmingham district. is an ardent fan and in fact it would be hard to find a minister in town who is not And 1t endears them to the people be- sides furnishing them wths hours of recreation and food for thought. One need not introduce the language of the diamond into the pulpit, but knowing if gives an added vim and vigor to the mes- sage that you have to deliver