Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-04
R0URKE IS READY
FOR SIGNAL TO GO


better hitter, however, than Pratt.
But both Brottcm and Pratt are real
first string catchers, the kind that can
be used alternately without weaken
ing the team any, and that is some
thing unusual in the Western league,
where il has almost been the rule that
one catcher is the regular receiver and
the other second string man.
lake Holderman is the only new
man in the inheld. Jake will fill the
shoes of Ray Miller at first base.
lake will have something of task
to fill Rays boots, but Rourke and
Krug are confident he will be suc-
cessful. Holderman is "a years old,
about six feet high and said to be
a great fielder, the kind who pulls
wide throws in from either side and
out of the atmosphere and digs low
heayes out of the dirt with consist
ency. He is also said to be a good
hitter, maintaining an average around
800, and fairly fast on the bases,
Other Infelders Vets.
Ireland, Krug and Burg, all mem-
bers of the 1916 championship teams,
will occupy the other inheld positions.
Irelan will play his old position at
second, where he would have pas
timed last year except for the break
in his leg, which occurred during the
training season. Krug will play short,
vice Kewpie Kilduff, advanced to the
majors, while Burg will again hold
down third base.
Two vets will be back in the out
field, Forsythe and Shag Thompson
Shag was procured outright from
Connie Mack last week. Last year he
was sent to Omaha under option.
Rourke believes Thompson has
reached the point where he will begin
to deliver the goods in master fash
ion and will be regular 800 hitter
this year. Hal BrokaW is the new
man in the outheld. Brokaw comes
from Winnipeg with Benton, and is
said to be some outflelding baby. He
clouted the pill at 800 clip in the
Northern league and was the best
fielding outfelder in the circuit.
Brokaw, Pa believes, is coming
major league star.
Two Youthful Prospects.
In addition to these regulars,
Rourke has youthful inhelder
named Johnny Watkins, and Floyd
Smith. Smith, it is believed, is not
quite ripe for Class A company, but
he may fool the wise ones and prove
winner when spring rolls around.
Watkins is a Kansas City semi-pro
shortstopper and third sacker whom
Mig Perrine informs Rourke is
coming Artie Fletcher Watkins is
big fellow for an inhelder, and Per-
rine says he is hashy fielder and a
dandy hitter Rourke, however, is
not counting on Watkins,
Rourke does not expect to obtain
any more players unless another
pitcher is grabbed, and then it would
be young rookie he would sign on
chance. Marty Krug has a young
hurler back in Cleveland that he be-
lieves has the markings of great
curver and he may be brought out
for trial In every other respect,
however, Rourke believes his squad is
complete.
Rourke has about given up hope
of getting Earl Smith, Ernie Kruger
or Kewpie Kilduff back. He believes
all three of these men have an even
chance of sticking with the big
league clubs to which they were sold.
And inquiries made among the big
fellows also indicated to Rourke that
the Cubs and Giants, who own this
trio, would not be able to waive them
out of the faster company if they do
decide to release them.
II would like to get them all or
any one of them back said Rourke,
but ] don't think there's chance.
Anyway Pm not taking the chance. so
If don't get them back ! have the
men to fill their positions"
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