Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-15
TINKER STAGES
 FIRST GAME OF
 SEASON IN CITY
Regulars Win Five Inning Contest, GA, All Players
 Showing Up Well.
The delightful and most favorable

The delightful and most favorable weather that has prevailed the past few days has allowed the members of the Columbus baseball club to get so far advanced in their spring training work, that Manager Tinker yester- day afternoon staged five-inning contest, which was won by the rega- lars, by to 4.
 It was some hot contest, because the recruits exerted every effort 70 gain the victory. The old heads hal something on the youngsters, how ever, and as a result, the contest this afternoon ought to be humdinger, in every respect.
 The Senators are in fine physical condition now, and each day that passes without an interruption to their work will see great progress to- ward seasons form. The boys ara not yet turning themselves loose, this being wise precaution that has been urged upon them by their directors, but muscles are rounding into smooth working order, joints gre being bent without creaking, and superfluous flesh is rapidly being lost.
 So far as condition is concerned, no memer of the entire squad is more delighted with results so far achieved that is Manager Tinker himself. The peppery manager had some consider able trouble las season due to strained back, and was out of tue game a considerable portion of the season. Immediately after arriving here, Manager Tinker decided to ascertain definitely whether he WIS going to be able to get into condition to cover third base this season. He had been nursing his back during the winter, and when he started getting down after the ground balls, in prac- tice here, he found he was right there, on the job, and without any evil after effects. The little extra weight he brought here is rapidly disappearing, and things look mighty rosy for the Columbus club to have the best and fastest third sacker in the league, with Tinker on that job.
 What is true of Tinker, apparently is true of the other veterans in the big squad. They are all shouting m praise about the fine weather and climate conditions here, and especial ly about the manner in which the,T have been able to get into shape. The veterans are almost unanimous in the declaration that never before have they started training season under such advantageous conditions, and as a result, they are all optimistic in the belief that they will show mighty fine form during the playing season.
 Some Interesting TelegramS.
 Manager ole Tinker has received the following telegram from the Co., lumbus chamber of commerce, which indicate that the fans of Columbus are pulling" for the Senators, and intend to get them away to a flying start:
 ITO yourself and your group of pastimers in the Columbus American association, the chamber of commerce sends greetings and best wishes for a pleasant and profitable training season and assure you of most cor dial reception on Joe Tinker Day. April IT,"
 Secretary E. B. Bloom of the Pine Bluff chamber of commerce yester- day forwarded the following telegram to the Columbus chamber of con- merce:
 Congratulations to your city upon having such a fast bunch of ball players to choose from. Joe Tinker and his boys are working hard under favorable weather conditions, and this week will round them all into perfect shape. We believe the pennant win nerS are training with uS fhis year