The Washington herald., 1916-07-25
NORTH CAROLINA
LEAGUE TO BLOW
Trio of Washington Sandlot-
ers Are Playing Great Ball
in Tar Heel Circuit.
FREDDY HECK ASTAR
BY ARTHUR s. wRENN.

Just what Is the fate OF the North
Carolina League, where three OF the
Washington sandlotters are now per-
forming, Is not yet and probably won't
be known for several days, as President
Bramham, of the league, now has the
Greensboro franchise in his hands to
dispose of. Poor interest from the fans,
the marooning of the Asheville and
Raleigh clubs in the former city during
the recent flood and the inability of the
other teams OF the league to reach Ashe-
VILE because Of the crippled train serv-
ice are the main reasons for the action
of the Greensboro directors. and 1t would
not be at all surprising to see the league
sing its swan song" within the next
few weeks.
Every club in the circuit, including the
Asheville Tourists, who won the first half
Of the season, and the Charlotte Hornets
leaders in the second half, to date have
lost considerable money keeping the
league in action during the season, not
withstanding the fact that the teams this
year are more evenly balanced than at
any time since the organization OF the
circuit.
Following numerous "howls" from
Greensboro because OF financial difficult
ties, the directors OF the clubs in the
league met in Greensboro Saturday after
noon under the direction of President
Bramham and were notified that the
Greensboro club would surrender its
franchise to the league. Bramham now
has the franchies in his hands and will
hold the team together until the bust
ness men Of the town in question an
nounce that they do not want baseball.
This point is to be decided within
the next few days.
As in previous years, the league is
blessed with excellent material. and
before the present issue is decided
many of the stars will be on trains
for major league clubs. Freddy Heck
a northeast sandlotter who is holding
down second base on the Winston
Salem Twins. is about the best second
sacker in the circuit. and many of
the scouts Of the big league clubs
have paid him much attention be-
cause Of his work. At the beginning
OF the year Heck held down the CEN
ter field position. but upon the releas-
Ing of Rollings. the regular Twin out
fielder. Heck was placed at second.
and since that time has been holding
the eyes of every one watching the
showing of the league. 1t is said on
good authority that one Of the major
league clubs holds an option on his
may find him up" out of the
bushes"
BUS" Hager, the former Mohawk
and Bureau catcher. and said to be
one of the best backstops ever turned
out Of this city. reported on Thurs
day to the Raleigh club, and from his
performance that afternoon should
find little trouble in sticking. Hager
handled one OF the widest pitchers of
the league and one accustomed to is
sue eight and ten bases on balls a
game, but during this game the pitch
er failed to issue a single base on
balls and famed thirteen of the op-
posing batters. making a league rec
ord for the year. There is hardly any
question about the little backstop's
ability to hit, and should the league
stick throughout the season things
are apt to be heard from Hager.
Giacimo. former third-sacker Of the
Georgetown University baseball club but
now playing that position for the Dur
ham Bulls, is the third man to grace the
league with his presence hailing from
Washington. The little infielder is past
ing the ball hard and fielding his position
in great style. and II was through his hit
ting in the first half which permitted the
Durham club to finish in third position.
The three foregoing players, all from
in the circuit, and as most are held under
the optional agreement or being looked
over by scouts, Washlngton's chances of
having home products in the majors are
exceedingly bright.