South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-22
CRACK BACKSTOP
SIGNED BY SMITH
B. F. Kelly of Indianapolis,
Sought by Majors, is on
Local Roster.
by Walter \. PheIan,

owner Ed. Smith was around with
a happy smile beaming from his
rotund countenance yesterday and
when queried impaired the infOrma-
ton that he had signed another
catcher who was a real receiver
and that the signature had been Sc
cured in the face Of opposition from
major and minor league clubs.
The man in question is b. F.
Kelly whose home is in Indian
apoIis. He was tipped off to Smith
as being a likely fellow and the
skipper was convinced Of this fact
when after getting into communi-
cation with him he found that De-
troit. St. Louis Americans. Fort
Wayne and Evansville were also
dickering with the catcher.
Accepts Terms.
Being a free agent Kelly. like all
good players. was playing one club
against the other. keeping all of
them in suspense. The other day
Smith wrote him a letter and made
him the best offer he could. Back
came a wire saying that nothing had
been said about transportation. so
Smith wired that he paid all trans
portation and training expenses.
Kelly's answer was a message saying
"AT O. X" Yesterday Smith got
letter from Kelly in which the latter
accepted the terms offered.
With Kellys acquisition seven
cstchers are on the local reporting
list. The list is composed Of Mgr.
Harry Smith, Kelly. Tree. LaRoss,
Siner Devoght and Watson.
Not all of these men will be asked
20 report however, Smith saying
Yesterday that Harry Smith, Tree
and Kelly would probably be the
men who will be given tryouts. La
Ross will report but chances do not
look bright for spike" 20 do any
catching this year. There are plainly
of places on the club where LaRoss
can be used 20 good advantage be-
sides behind the bat.
Whitley" Hensling has Smith
worried The pilot mailed the third
sacker a contract when the rest of
the documents were sent out and
the other day received a card from
Hensling saying that he did not
think he would play ball this year
Smith is still holding on a faint
hope however. that the big Blonde
will be here for Hensling has not
mailed back his contract either
signed or unsigned and Smith says
that when a man quits he usually
turns back the contract
Pitchers Look Good.
The pitching staff according TO the
owner is looming up bigger and bet
ter every day and since the acquisi-
ton of William Robertson, last year
with Memphis in the southern
league. Ed has been feeling good.
A glance over the records OF the
Southern league for last year show
that Robertson ranked sixth in the
list of pitchers with II wins, 10 de-
feats and one tie game. His average
was 567 His team finished in third
place with a percentage of .526.
Thirty-seven passes were issued
by Robertson in the SO games while
ne hit four men but had no wild
pitchers or balks chalked up against
him. His hitting average was .1'S.
Smith looked for him 20 bolster this
up considerably this year.
Harry Smith wants the players to
report on April 10, so ne informed
his employer in a letter Wednesday
morning. Ed. thought that April Is
or II would he time enough 10 have
the men gather but will probably
agree to the earlier reporting time.
Three weeks of training should put
the entire squad in perfect shape for
the Onening