South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-26
CENTRAL SUCCESS
VERY PROMISING
New Makeup of League is Ex-
peCted to Bring Big
Season.
DIV WaIter \. PheIan.

better looking and acting bunch Of
ball players than was the squad
which did duty before the start Of
last season. At that time Smith had
only a franchise. :. ball park and a
desire for a ball team. Now ne will
have the franchise. the ball park
and in addition the foundation
stones OF what will undoubtedly
prove one OF the best looking teams
in the league.
Under the guidance Of Harry
Smith. one OF the craftiest catchers
and field generals in the minor
leagues today. brains will not be
lacking in the direction of hostili-
ties. Ed Smith was remarking the
other day that with few exceptions
the successful big league managers
have been either catchers or pitch
ers-
Catchers Brsiny.
This success is attributed TO the
fact that TO the cOachers and pitch
ers falls the duty OF directing or
aiding in the directing or the Of
fensive and defensive work of the
entire team on some clubs the
captain OF the team. If he be an in
fielder. handles the matter. but
even then ne must transmit the sig
nails first 20 the catcher and that
parsonage in turn flashes them to
the rest OF the team. For the most
part. the catchers. being in a posi-
tiOn TO observe every point OF play
and position. do their own initial ye
work Harry smith has had big
league drilling and Ed is conSratu-
lating himself upon securing his ser
vices
The Central will be a different
league this year from what il was
last season. the change due more
perhaps 10 +. w. Dickerson. presi-
dent of the league. than 70 any 9TH
er one man. DickersOn looked back
upon the season Of 1916 and saw
where the league had been weak.
especially in the mileage item.
Teams were not paired on right
and consequently there was not
enough rivalry between towns TO
stimulate attendance on week days.
when bills must be paid just the
same as on Sundays and holidays.
The only way 20 make an effective
change was 10 instill new blood in
TO the circuit and accordingly Dick
erson set about the work.
Tcrre Haute Loses.
Terre Haute, wiile possessing
"A fairly good club. did not draw as
well with the fans as was expected
and the season was a financial loss.
In like manner Wheeling had a
corking good club during the last
half of the race last year but the
shekels did not pour into the box
office the way they should have
done. Then il was a long jump from
any town in the circuit over TO the
West Virginia city.
When Evansville fans got busy
and sold enough season tickets TO
insure ball for that city il could not
be dropped. so a team had to be
secured as a running mate Rich
mond was approached by Dickerson
and the avidity with which they
took hold Of the matter and raised
$4,000 with apparently no effort at
all proved that the Judgment Of the
executive had been good.
After Richmond had been secured
for the circuit 10 pair with Evans
sils 10 was necessary TO find com
panIOn cor south Bend There was
only one logical competitor. Fort
Wayne. So Dicherssn Bes the ma
chinery in motion and his efIUIt:
we're again crowned with success.
with a compact circuit, good bal
clubs and a livelier interest in the
sport than has been manifest fOI
several years. the season of 1917
should be a profitable one for the
Central league