Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-07

kees must be reclsoned with in what is expected to be one of the closest races in the history of the Amer1can league. The club suffered a most un- usual run os hard luck last year, play CT after player being seriously injured during the season. As. result or first to sixth place and 1t was not un- til late in the season that the upward climb could be renewed Every mem Der of the squad reported in fine phy- sical condition this spring and none has suffered permanent i'll effects rom the broken bones sustained last sum mer. Maisel, Baker, Godeon, Gilhoo- ley and the other stars are playing rat top form and while several new men give promise of more than usual abfl- ity it is doubtful if they can win a permanent place in the lineup. The team Is strong at bat and in the field, sterling substitutes ready to replace the regular at any position. The club is a pennant contender in every sense
 St. Louis.
 With considerable improvement in pitching and hitting power, Manager Fielder Jones and his tS. Louis play CTS will enter the 1917 race working his system. With Koob, who was i'll part of last season. in first class shape and3 some of his recruit pitchers com ing through Jones figures he Is twen-
  ment Jacobson. who will be used against left-handed pitching, is ex- pected to strengthen right field where he will alternate with Miller. who Is weak against a left-handed delivery. Sf. Louis experts figure the Browns should finish not lower than third
 Cleveland.
 Not having missed a single practice session during their Stay at the New Orlans training camp, tn Cleveland f-1rr re10 Iaff in condition for a hard seasons pennant battle. Manager F'ohl has nine pitch CTS in good shape but he will not call upon the services of Joe Wood at the opening of the season, although the former Boston players arm has re- sponded satisfactorily to all demands made to date. The team will begin this years campaign better fortified behind the bat. Guisto. the new first base man, has shown up wei, after talk irg off a lot of weight. He will be the only recruit regular the remain dr of the infield and outleld being the same as a year ago.
 Washington
 None of the American League man agers has worked mora earnestly than Clark Griffith since the beginning or the training stunts of the Washington clubs players at Augusta, Ga. but he has been the least fortunate in many respects. Bad weather interfcred with the work of the men during the early part of the southern session while many other disappointments cropped up from several angles to worry the hard-worked manager. Walter John son was delayed in getting to the camp but the big pitcher is now on edge Griffith probably will not select his team for the opening game against the Athletics at Philadelphia until he gets there but he is confident that he will have formidatie array of play ing talent, when he fills up the unset tied infield and outfeld positions.
 Philadelphia.
 The. Athletics Jnd Ter. the direction of Connie Mack enter upon the 1917 pen nant race with every prospect of being a more important factor in the Aneri- can league than was the case last year. A number of new and promising play CTS have joined the squad and if the work of these recruits at the Jackson vile training camp can be taken as a criterion, Mack is progressing rap idly in the reorganization of the Attn letics. The outfield appears particu larly impressive with Bodie, Strunk and Thrasher in the lineup. Much de- bends upon the ability of the new twirlers to hold their own on the big circuit. Mack has stated that he has at least four excellent pitchers ready of the opening of the season and that if they deliver as he expects the Ath letics will be a team to command re- spect this year.