The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-25
Four Clubs Considered As
 Penn0nt COntenderS For
 Rag in Coming Campaign
Barons Peicans Chicks and Travellers Loom Most Fomd able Teams on Circuit--Crackers and Vols Slightly
 Weaker-Pitchng Staffs Are Strong Points
By FRED BODEKER

seasons, at least appear to be danger
 ous in the race. The Chicks, led by Mike Donlin, are a well balanced out fit. Donlin has 13 pitchers on his ros-
 ter at the present. The regular staff,
 however, will probably be Barger, Will
 lett, Hoyt, Kaiserlng and Adams. What he will do With the remaining ones, all of which are good men. is un- known.
 The outfield of the Chicks is the
 weak spot. Donlin must get few racers" in the cutter edges of his
 machine or else he faces little chance to being dangerous. Knisely has seen
 his best days while Cook is nothing above the ordinary. Three new men
 for this branch of service would not in- jure his prospects.
 The infield is also nothing too good. Additional strength will be acquired, however. The catching staff of Muddy
 Ruel and Charley Schmidt is the best in the league. The Chicks have the money back of them. however, and they will begin the struggle.
 , PELS STRONG AS USUAL The last of the rag contenders will. now be discussed. The New Orleans Pelicans are always in the flag hunt for two real
 sons. They always have a good team, and they always get the jump. The Pels
 are in mid season form by the time the season opens, and consequently the lead
 they obtain is of great value to them in the campaign later in the season. Johnny Dobbs has his average team this year-one that will be in the hunt. The infield will be about the same strength as last year-great fielders but slightly
 eak with the willow Stansbury, Mo Dowell knaupp and Miller compose the infield. The outfield will be Edmondson, Sylvester and either Nixon, Eschen or Paschall.
 The pitching staff, like other conten-
 ders, will be the strong part Hurb kel- ley is valuable southpaw. while Walker Hube Miller, Sane, Robertson and Dill finger are all good hurers. The Pes look like a better defensive team than
 an offensive.
 VOLS GREATLY WEAKENED 1 The Atlanta Crackers and Nashville
 Vols are the next strongest teams i Neither Frank or Elam have men of a
 calibre at the present time which look anything like championship material, and
 unless they strengthen they will be forced
 to accept q second division berth 1 The Crackers are stronger than the | Vols, however These two teams com 1 pose the second class of teams in the l league.
 I The Lookouts and Gulls will most prob-
 ably bring up the rear. The Gulls have
 a big collection of young players, and
 If they do develop into winning aggre-
 gation it will. be nothing short of 2
 miracle. The Lookouts are somewhat stronger, but are weak on the offense. | Reviewing all the teams in the league
 can be divided into three classes. In the 1 first-class or pennant contenders. comes
 Birmingham. Memphis, Little Rock and l aNN 0fp uc n SAonnd-ClASS
 teams slightly inferior. comes Atlanta and Nashville while in the third class ; or teams who will not be in the race, arc | Mobile and Chattanooga
 i, Remember. this is only preseason | prediction, and may turn out ''all wrong
 after all. Compare it with yours ant l then pick the winners