Evening journal., 1917-03-08
MIDDLETOWN MAY have
ball TEAM This Year
az


MIDDLEToWN, Del, March s.-Up-
on the heels Of the announcement that
the odessa Athletic Club had disband-
ed, for the 1917 season, at least. comes
another announcement, this time from
Middletown, that II is probable that the
fast local nine will not be seen cavort-
ing on the diamond this season. This
decision was reached at a meeting OF
the directors OF the Middletown Ath-
letic Association at a recent meeting.
At that time the directors did not de-
eide positively that Middletown would
not have team, but they said, that
unless a capable manager can be found
to succeed ex-Manager ]. +. Walls,
who has resigned, it will be better TO
disband rather than put a weak, or
even a mediocre team on the field"
This announcement struck the local
fans like a sharp blow in the face, and
At the present time there are a great
many murmurs Of disapproval con-
corning such a statement. The local
fans have been in the habit of see
ing a fast baseball team represent this
town, and they are loathe 70 give up
this Saturday afternoon pleasure. just
because one manager has resigned.
However, several of the more promi-
nent fans who have been asked to take
over the managerial reins, have re-
fused, saying that their business would
not allow them to spare the tins
necessary to manage a team. These
same fans are the loudest in theil
walls over the probable disbanding Of
last years independent champions.
Daniel W. Stevens, who was the frs
manager OF the team in 1915, and tn
early part Of 1916, has been asked Il
again lead the team to victory, but Mr.
Stevens has refused the honor. On &C
count OF his increased duties as a Jus
tice of the Peace and town clerk, Mr.
Stevens says that he can see no way
by which he can manage the team
Last year, Mr.. Stevens was leading
the nine at a whirl-wind pace, clean
ing I'D every team in sight when sud
denly something went wrong. In thu
game with Odessa, the local boys wer'
defeated, and Mr.. Stevens received thu
blame. Becoming exasperated over tn
appreciation CD Of his services, Mr.
stevens rendered his resignation to tn
. club, which was accepted.
The following year James f. Wall
was made manager at a special meet
ing of the board OF directors. From tn
time he began his career as a mana
ger. in August. until the end of the sea
son. in November, Mr.. Walls prove
that he understood the grand oil
game in all of its rudiments. How
. ever. Mr.. Walls had to sacrifice muc
) Of his time, which was needed in hi
? business, to baseball. This season, h
SAYS that it will be impossible for hlr
TO do this, so he has rendered his resie
/, nation.
The next manager may be Henr
Segelken or Fred Crouch.
Mr.. Segelken was one time sta
twirler of the oxford. Md, team. I
case he does become manager. Middle
: town will again be assured Of a frs
: class nine.
. In case Mr.. segelken does not a.
n lcept the Office OF manager, Fred Crouc
= will be asked to manage. Mr. Crouc
is a former baseball manager, havin
been leader OF the local nine whe
Ring Richards was in his prime, abol
ten years ago. Mr.. Crouch is we
known in this vicinity as a baseba
leader on account Of the stars he hf
turned out. Local stars who are d.
veloped under Crouchs tuteleage al
Ike Gibbs, Ring Richards. Billy Mo-
e ris. Jimmy Adkins, Charley Bryne
4 Dick Ford, Ted Manlove. Pierre Dom
T van. Jimmy Donohue, and Eagle ES
Joe Walker. Besides this. Crouch we
a star player at the time when II
y famous Holten battery was putin
+ Middletown on. the baseball map.
that time Crouch ably assisted ii
manager Of the nine and II was the
n that he learned the things that mai
s ager should know. Many of the fan
o are pulling hard for Crouch TO act I
r manager. because they feel assure
l. that with him back. the local nine wi
d again have a chance TO win the tit
a of Independent champions Of Dell
10 ware. Just as they have during 19i
n and 1916.
~ In all probability Crouch will a
s sumo the role Of a manager. and wit
I him at the helm, the local boys shou
n have the most successful season
their whole career.