The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-12
CRIMSON BASEBALL PROSPECTS SUFFER !. SERIOUS REVERSAL Dink Hagan and Mickey Ladd Will Not Appear
 in Line-Up TWIRLING STAFF IS
 TEAMS STRONG CARD Captain CargyIe Shifted to Third From Outfield-Scarce Wins Fight
 for Catcher's Job-Noojin
 Soon to Make First Cut
By c. w. GREER

University March 11.-(SpeciaL )--Ala- bama's baseball prospects, which have glowed so brilliantly through month of early practice, lost some of their ac- customed lustre this week when it became known that Micl1ie Ladd, the Crimson keystoner, who was prominently men, toned for all-southern position last sea- son, and Dink Hagan, a seasoned out fielder, would not, in all probability, seek diamond honors this season. Both Hagan and Ladd are law students, and the irn- possibility of mixing legal jurisprudence with athletics is given as the procuring cause of their attitude.
 The loss of Ladd opens a big gap in the Crimson infeld. The Mobile boy had been counted on as mainstay this sea- son. He has played second for Alabama for two consecutive seasons and last year was one of the fastest infelders in the s. I. A. A. Coach Noojin will now have to fill gaps at second, short and behind the plate with new material, and while he has exceedingly promising material to deal with, 1t is hardly possible that he will develop two men to fill the shoes of Ladd and Wells, who is ineligible. Skeet Hamilton apparently has cinched
 
 spite the rather strenuous opposition of Nelson and others, while Captain Car gyle has been stationed at third. Car gyle last season was an outfelder, but dearth of experienced infield material prompted his switch to the third sta tion. Jap Wilson, Columbiana High school boy Is making a strong bid for a permanent berth in the short field.
 The loss of Hagan and the switch of Cargyle leaves two glaring openings in the outfield for Coach Noojin to patch up, as Rainer is now the only vet eran gardener on hand The few early practice games which have been staged thus far have failed to show up any stars to fill the vacancies.
 BATTERY MEN PLENTIFUL
 In the battery line, however, the Crim- son undoubtedly has the strongest ag- gregation of tossers that has appeared at Alabama in a dozen seasons Turkey Bowman leads the van as the peer of all southern college hurlers. and he is followed closely by Wycle, Smith and Tompkins. The latter is a freshman and is lacking in experience but he has shown wonderful form thus far, and probably will oust one of his veteran opponents as a regular performer. In addition to the above four, Jones and McWhorter are showing up well, and in all prob ability would win their way to varsity letter in less prosperous times.
 AS predicted in The Age-Herald some weeks ago the battle to succeed Pep" Wells behind the plate has simmered down to duel between Scarce and Styles with the latter having slight advan- tsge. Scarce will be used as utility catch CT. Both candidates are new men of considerable promise, each being young and possessed of creditable begging ability.
 Coach Noojin will make his first cut this week and then the grind will begin in preparation for the opening gun of the season, which will boom across the campus on March 25 Work is progressing on the new diamond, situated on Ala bama's new athletic field, where games this season will be played.