The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-04-14
LEFTY DAVIS
IS AT WORK
REBUILDING
Will Reorganize All Depart
ments of the Team Before
the Season Opens.

Virginia, Mimi, April 14.-Working
on the assumption that Virginia fans
will raise $4,000 by Saturday, Lefty
Davis, proposed manager of the Ore
Diggers, has set about to rebuild the
local Northern league club. He plans
to revamp all departments of the team
and when the 1916 season opens, Vir-
ginia fans will see a number of new
faces on the club.
Catcher Berger, now with the Mil
Waukee Brewers, is wanted by Vir-
ginia. He would make an excellent
teammate for Catcher Troy Agnew.
CrOnin will also return, but it is pos
sible he may be used in the outfield
and utility roles more than behind the
bat.
The Pitching Staff.
Davis expects a number of pitchers
when the big leagues and American
association start cutting down their
pitching staffs. Roy Sorenson, the
Wisconsin boy who twirled great ball
for the Diggers last season, is expect
ed to appear in a Virginia uniform
again. Under Davis he should develop
into big league material and be sold
at the end of the 1916 season. Arthur
Johnson, a pitching recruit last sea-
son, will again play for the Diggers
Arthur Swanson of Coleraine will be
=
other youngsters, including Bert Cum
ningham, will be worked on the mound.
The infield must be rebuilt. A new
first baseman is needed, as Fred Rey-
nolds, the initial sack chieftain, will
manage the Fort William club. Joe
Herman, it is claimed, will sign with
st. Joseph. However, Virginia is still
after him and his John Hancock may
be on a Virginia contract by the last
IA p ~ TNIo
who is being sought by the Ore Dig
gers is Joe Fautsch, shortstop, now
with the Chicago White Sox. Fautsch
played with Davis at Winona for two
seasons. Ewald, with Winona in 1913,
is wanted by Virginia. Ewald, that
name brings pleasant memories.
Ewald is now with the Des Moines
club Of the Western league. He is a
college boy and clean liver. He can
pickle the pill and play second and
third base like veteran. Frank Is
bell with Virginia in the nineties, is
leading the Des Moines club and it is
possible a deal can be made for
Ewald.
Davis believes Fortman is still a
good ball player and will give Dutch
thorough tryout. Fortman is a good
as a leadoff man by Davis.
WiedeI Goes. Up.
Virginia cannot hope to get Short
stop Wiedel for some time, as he has
signed with the Chattanooga club of
the Southern league. Wiedel was
with Fort William last season and
was a favorite with Virginia fans.
Del Bemis is coaching the Hamltne
university team and it is possible he
will receive a Virginia contract Out
fielder Block, who in 1912 at York,
Neb. stole 10 bases for Davis, is at
his home at Neenah, Wis, and deal
is now pending with him. He was
with the Freeport club of the Three
Eye league last season and played
good ball. He was with Davis at Wi
mona in 1913 and with Grand Forks
in 1914. He has been seen in action
here several times.
Fred Greisch will be given a thor
ough tryout in the outfield by Davis,
while Mann Brokaw is assured a place
in the outer garden. Davis will also
fill a suburban position. Outfielder
McCabe, with Virginia and Fort Will
liam last season. will be with Denny
Sullivan at st. Joseph in the Western
league this season.
Grabs Northern Leaguers.
Sullivan will have squad of former
leaguers at, st. Joseph in Pitcher Roy
Patterson, McCabe, himself and others