The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-26
BY ERNEST POLLARD.

Billy Smith. who has just been de-
posed as manager OF the Richmond
club. and who has been succeeded by
Otto Knabe. of National and Federal
league fame. has not decided just
what he will do. according to tele-
gram received from the erstwhile Vir
glnian leader last night. Whether he
mas received any offers up to this
Tune Is not known, but II there have
been any forthcoming he has not def
nitely made up his mind regarding
them.
He stated in his telegram that he
VIII leave Providence Sunday or Mon
day and will come straight to Rich
mond. Billy turns over the managerial
reins to Knabe this afternoon, when
the former Baltimore Terrapin leader
Will make his debut as a Richmond
pilot. In addition to doing the man
aging, he will cover the keystone sack,
and Mcconnell will do service in the
shortfield position.
Whether or not the changing of
managers at this time was a wrse
move is something yet to be deter
mined. In the Federal league knabe
made good showing as a manager.
and the first year of the independent
organization he gave the other clubs
in the league a run for the pennant,
bctiE DdTeIy HOseu out. ne mas al
ways been a fair fielder, but no one
ever accused Otto of setting the woods
on fire with his hitting. However, he
is known for his ability to hit In the
pinches, and II he can do that just
at this time. he should prove very
valuable to the Richmond club.
Just what the new leader will do
when he takes hold is not known.
Whether he will keep the team intact
mr. Gy6rJ n Not tirr r~lA &C.
unknown. IN fact, he has told no
one his plans Should he shake up
his batting order. it will probably
not come for two or three days yet,
or until after he has seen all OF the
men in action a few times.
May Take on New Life.
Whether the baseball players now
on the Richmond roster will take on
new life under new leader and start
winning some ball games-enough to
make things interesting. don't y know
is something we would not like to
attempt to foretell. The shifting of
the managerial reins from one party's
hands to another's sometimes serves
to inject new life into bunch of ball
players, and they will think they are
better off even II they are really not.
The are down in a rut now. and il
knabe can put little confidence into
their systems and make them think
that they are real ball players-and
they are at that-they may start one
of those wild rampages and start burn
inc things up. And. understand, this
can be done even If the new mana ger
is no better than the one who has
just been ostraCiZed, so to speak. AS
we said before, Just the idea of
change may serve to put new life
into the FASTENERS. But far be it from
us to start any this predicting bust
ness All of this is yet to be learned.
things will be known ere another
Fourth of July is ushered into our
midst
1t was with reluctance that num-
Der of Ricnmond's baseball enthusiasts
learned that Billy had been relieved
Of the burden of managing the base
ball club. while others expressed them
selves as being under the impression
that change would serve to make
things better. So there you are. Billy
has many friends in Richmond who
are sorry that he was forced to sever
his relations with the Virgtnians
knabe is said to be good fellow. and
il is believed that he will soon gain
the confidence OF the baseball public,
According to information received
from Providence last night. another
player has been added to the Rich
mond roster. His name Is Conroy. but
where he has been doing his pastim-
ing these years or Just what position
he plays is something that Is not
known But anyhow no is signed.
Hack Eibel has split his finger and
probably will be out of the game for
week, which merely goes to show
that the old ink which has been how
ering over the Richmond camp most
of the season continues to Turk in our