The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-05
ADD TO BALL PARK
Savage May Make Left Field
Fifty Feet Longer.
Better Times Ahead for Gam
est Magnate in Baseball.

with the passing of every little old
winter day things brighten up bit
for John Savage, Topeka's baseball
magnate.
Sunshine hasn't exactly flooded him
out of his office and ball park since
the genial baseball specialist came to
Topeka a little over year ago ana
undertook the stupendous task of doc
toring thu old Kaw club and massag-
ing it back to a healthy. thriving con-
ditlon where it would be valuable
asset to the city and a source of pride
to all Topekans, instead of being
siciSly. bed-ridden, down-and- out bur
den as it had been for several years
previous. But It seems that the clouds
are breaking.
When Savage came here from kan
sas City a little more than II months
ago. the Topeka baseball club was so
near dead that the undertaken had
been summoned and those who had
the matter in hand were diligently
seeking a suitable burying place. All
efforts Of local physicians had failed
and they had pronounced the case
hopeless.
Tackles Hard Job.
But DR.. Savage looked things over,
felt the local baseball pulse, made
thorough diagnosis and finally decid-
ed to stake his reputation ami his wad
on his ability to revive the near dead.
At no time since Topeka has had
baseball club were conditions so bad
as they We're, when Savage made his
decision and announced he would take
over the club. The war between o. b
and the Feds had the whole diamond
world in a turmoil. The war between
the European nations was distracting
the attentions of the local fans, and
a golf wave was sweeping over To-
peka that was literally taking every
able bodied man in the city TO the
links who could spare the time in the
afternoons. And in addition to all
these things, the local business men
who had attempted to keep the club
on its feet We're so much out of pa
thence and out OF purse that they were
completely discounted, disheartened
and done with the game in every way.
But Savage set about his task in q
businesSlilxe way, got together the bes-
material he could and after weather
ing summer filled with financial
storms and much wet weather. came
through with his team in third place
and with a better baseball taste in
the mouths of Topeka fans than there
had been in number of years.
Fair Sailing Ahead.
And now things are looking bright
err all the time. There is every indi-
cation that the storm is passing, and
1t seems that the gameness of the pop
ular new Topeka magnate is to be re-
warded by one of the best baseball
seasons Topeka has ever had. The
diamond war has been concluded. the
European war has lost a deal of its
distracting elements and golf, while
it still bids fair to hold the attention
and affections of many local sports
men. has passed its faddish stage and
has given up many who took their
fling at it and decided that it wasn't
exactly what they wanted in the way
Of a hot summer pastime.
Last week when the new record
book came out, the first thing Savage
did when he got a copy was to turr
to the Western league records. ''Iov
they finished-Des Moines first" he
said We'll, maybe Topeka will fin
ish first this year
Savage's announcement last weeI
that he intends to keep bringing or
players until he had a hard hitting
club and a staff of good pitcher.
means that those who report in the
spring will have to show something
above the average to get on the pay
roll, and that they will have to hi
the ball" literally and fgurativel!
speaking, to stay on. And if he doe
have club that eXcels in hitting ant
pitching. then the club that leads Lat
tfmore's tribe will have to get up anC
hustle some-and then some more.
To Enlarge Park.
To show the faith Savage has il
the future of his club in Topeka. h
is planning extensive Improvement
on the grounds. 1t is probable tina
considerable .pyerhauling will be dom
to the grandstand and bleachers be
fore the opening of the season. ant
the diamond will be built up bette
han it ever has been.
Also. another Improvement that i
BADLY needed and that will eventual.
be made if things run along smooth,