The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-04-12

Now that the majors have swung
into regular action and the opening
games OF the big time circuits are his
tory. attention may for the moment be
turned to another opening--inaugura
services. SO as to speak, trifle nearer
home.
The Central League. the organiza,
tion which Is to give Richmond bugs
their first season Of Glass baseball.
opens May 8. The eight teams OF the
circuit are in action right now. A
summary of the activities at the eight
different bases Of the Central reveals
the following conditions some three
weeks before the opening games:
DAYTON
The Vets. the best bet in the Cen
trail last year. are in a good way but
do not loom as strong as they did last
year this time.
A number OF veterans who helped
win last seasons pennant are missing
from the club roster and Manager
Johnnie Nee is confronted with the
task OF building somewhat Of a new
model before the cambria chase opens.
Dayton will be without a new park
for the opening games inasmuch as the
new plant being erected there will fall
number of weeks shy of completion.
Dayton probably will use Westwood
park until the new ground is ready.
GRAND RAPIDS
Grand Rapids, runne.up to the Day
ton club, in the Central race last year.
apparently is as good If not better than
last year. Practically all of the
Rapider lights who made baseball his
tory. are back in the fold and ready
TO finish up what they started last
year.
Besides the old timers the furniture
makers have lot of new material to
work with Conditions are right for
q bloomer at Grand Rapids this year.
SPRINGFIELD
The Reapers, who trailed Dayton In
the flag grab last year and who in
cidently finished first for the second
part Of the Central schedule. only los
ing to the Vets In the post season
championship series, will finish IN the
first division to say the least.
Joe Dunn's crowd Is more than like
ly looking. Dunn has some thirty
regular ball players fighting for the
steady pay and no trouble should be
had to place a winning Springfield club
in the Central this year
EVANSVILLE
The Evas, who managed to hang
onto q position in the first division of
the Central last year. should do that
good this year Punch Knoll expects
them to do better.
The Evas stacked against the Pitts
burgh Pirates in recent exhibition
game acquitted themselves in man,
ner forecastirg form later in tho
season. Evansville will be repr ,sent.
ed by more or less new, team but
new blood sometimes helps.
RICHMOND
AZ heirs of the Terre Haute club,
Richmond will try to do better than
the Gilbert following which finished
fifth In league standing last year,
Babe Myers is confronted with the
proposition OF making an entire new
team but at the same time feels that
he has the material to throw together
a club that will at least land In the
first division.
SOUTH BEND
With Muskegon, the Benders divided
zero honors in the c. l.. last season,
but Owner Ed Smith, of South Bend,
has different notions this year
Smith is sparing no shekels IN his
effort TO produce team that will
prove the stigma of last years Bender
performance and Is reaching out fer
the best material obtainable in Class
p circles. The Blenders are ready tc
go now. but feel. May viii see them
IN position to reverse last years
record.
FORT WAYNE
Like Richmond, Fort Wayne Is a
new club in the Central this year.