The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-02
Two Swamping Defeats By Browns Does Not Dis
 courage Followers
SURPLUS MATERIAL
 IS CHIEF TROUBLE
Manager Starr Denies Rumor That Jantzen Will Be Released-Great Things Expected of Hard
 grove and Couchman

Little Rock, April 1.-(Special )-Durfng
 the past week We have seen our first
 pail game, our first straw hat, and the
 llrst rain in Lord knows when 1t was
 an 1nglorious fashion, the way the ex-
 hlbition season was ushered in vet we
 are just as lusty in our claim that the
 Travellers compose a pennant winning
 team in 1916 Iris true that Fielder
 Jones Browns-Feds amalgamation were
 assisted by the Travellers to a 21 to vic
 tory, and no one who witnessed the con-
 illct would have the nerve, in these days
 of wars and rumors of wars. to call it a
 ball game. All winter that exhibition
 has been brewing in Idaho, Ohio. Califor- ma, Wyoming, Missouri, Alabama Hi nois and few other states-to say noth- ing of Arkansas, which contributed the putt end of the joke The players have | t out of their systems now, and noth- Ing so disastrous can be expected again. It was so ridiculous that even the rabid fans refused to criticise, and went right on boosting the team. They knew that men who have been tried and proved their playing ability could not be right or the Browns would have had all sorts Of trouble in defeating them.
 The real interest now is in the opening game of the season, and it is attracting quite few wagers. It takes to money to get bet that the Travellers will not triumph over Memphis in the blow off. The Travellers used to have a habit of taking the first game of the season, and last year they took little else. If an ex- cursion rate is given, there will be sev- eral hundred local fans going over to Memphis for this game.
 ALLEN HAS TOO MUCH TALENT The trouble with the Travellers now seems to be surplus of material Every man is up and doing, and trying to keep from being shunted to lower classifica- ton. Mahlon Myers, brother of Hi of Brooklyn, seems to have won a place at third. He is no wonder at the dashes put his fielding is good, and he whangs away at the ball with such a vengeance that some Southern league infielders will soon be either lodging his shoots or hob bling about on stumps On team of sluggers, Myers hits the most vicious ones.
 There is little doubt about the outfield and the regular infield. It will be Walker Jacobson and Kerby in the outfield, and Covlngton, Starr, Wares and Myers in the infield Gibson anA Rumler will be the catchers, and unless Manning comes into the fold Jantzen will be carried as utility player. This team is one that cannot be shot to pieces by injuries, for Walker and Rumler are both good per- formers at first, and it looks as though place must be made for Rumler as regular, for in the first exhibition games he registered a safe one each time at bat. Rumler is also fast man in the outfield, and Nerby can take his turn ill the box and play the outfield on the other days.
 %t.s
 cut to the bone, and give leeway to the pitching staff. It is going to be difficult to pick the staff Couchman and Hard grove are counted on as regulars. Hardie is now taking his baptism in Arkansas chills and will not be able to work until the opening of the season, thus depriving President Allen of the use of a star in the exhibition games, for Hardie had been counted on, and was going right when he began to shake. Moran should do, and this will leave tho two other places between Powell, Stone, Leclair, Hoff, Brooks, Fields, Gardiner. etc.
 JANTZEN FAVORITE WITH FANS
 Manager Starr does not sanction the 1umors which are going about that Jant- zen is to be sold. This has made Jant- zen, who was the class of the 1915 Trav- elers, even more nervous than usual and it has affected his playing. Jantzen is a favorite in Little Rock and will have every show to stay with the team. Should he be placed on the market he will not get out of the Southern, for at least six other teams could use him, and would be willing to pay more than the waiver price for the hustling fielder If he goes he will carry with him the well wishes of the fans, and he will always be greeted with applause when he returns with an- ether team. It will be no departure like that of Jud Daley, for jeers are all that Jud gets when he comes now.
 The players this year are showing more repper than they did before the removaI of the Federal soft spot. Or perhaps it is the presence of such a pepper box as Wares that puts the noise and hustle into them Tex Covington has caught it, too, and he is performing miracles around first as of old, but he must begin hitting and keep up the pace, or Walker or Rumler will be found working there.
 Green, first baseman, "a native of Ar kansas, is good man for some league of lower class. Manager Starr will not let lower class. Manager Starr will not let realizes that he needs seasoning, and 8 year of real league baseball something he has never had, will make winner of him. He is fast on his feet, can hit and is fancy fielder, but he has Covington to go against.
 Prearations are being made for a mon- ster turnout on opening day. The Boasd of Commerce is working out plans for, making it a holiday. with all stores clos ing, which means an overflow crowd.