Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-18
ATHLETICS WILL
BE FEATURE in
FLAG RACE SOON
Team to Be Back on Top
Sooner Than Fans Be-
lieve," Says Mack
AWAIT REGULAR PLAYERS
By CHANDLER d. RICHTER

JACKSONVILLE Fla, March 1S.-Two
of the greatest baseball fans in the United
States watched the Athletics work out at
Barr's Field today. They are ]. S. Free
man, of Oklahoma City, Okla, and his
wife. Mr.. and Mrs Freeman have been
to eight major league training camps
this spring and hope to stop at four 9TH
ers before returning home.
Both are 33d degree fans and have been
planning this trip for several years. Nei-
ther has ever seen n worlds series game
nor have they been to more than a dozen
major league contests, but there Is moth.
ing in the way OF baseball that escapes
them Mrs. Freeman Is as crazy over the
game as her husband, and both declared
II was the happiest moment of their lives
when they were introduced to Manager
Mack
Mack was just as we'll pleased to meet
the Freemans, and famed with them for
half an hour, despite the fact that 1t was
the busiest period Of the workout. Con-
ME was surprised to learn that such
great fans had never seen a world s
series contest and insisted that he would
see that seats were reserved for them
the next time the Mackmen played in the
blue ribbon event.
Mack Optimistic
The visitors asked Mack when that
might be, and Connie replied Much
sooner than most people believe"
They brought word that the Detroit
Tigers have made wonderful impres.
sion on the San Antonio fans, who com.
pare the team with the famous Mack
machine, which trained in that city when
at its best. The pitching staff lost the
pennant last season. but the addition of
Laudermilk and James, of the Browns;
Erickson, of the Feds, and Cunningham
and Marshall, from the Southern League,
appears TO have bolstered up this depart
ment Jennings told Freeman Detroit
would have the strongest team it has had
since he has been at the helm, and pre-
dicted the Tigers would win the pennant
with quite few games to spare.
The best workout of the training sea-
son was enjoyed. The pitchers did not
resort to curve ball pitching this morning,
Manager Mack preferrlng to wait until
the afternoon when 1t would be warmer.
Morrisette reported sick this morning
and was advised to remain away from the
field, while Weaver also was unable to
practice. although his leg was much bet
ter today. Crowell was a trihe lame as
the result of being hit by one of Rays
fast balls while batting in the practice
game yesterday afternoon.
Regulars Due Monday
Manager Mack, is glad that the regu-
lars are due on Monday, as some of the
hurlers are becoming restless. The games
for the last three days have been rather
listless affairs. as the batterymen have
lost interest in them owing to the hard
driving,
The Mackmen again will depart from
the old custom of resting on the Sabbath
and a short workout will be held Sunday
afternoon. few of the men who are in
excellent shape will be permitted to take
a day Off and probably will go fishing,
While many OF the party would like TO
have spent a few days at Palm Beach.
they were just as well plt ased at the
cancellation Of the games with the Braves
at the famous winter resort. The old
schedule would have neeessitated an extra
one-day stand with night jump from
Miami. These trips are anything but
pleasant and the men believe they will
be in much better shape with the new ar
rangement calling for three games at
Miami and two her with the Braves.