New-York tribune., 1918-03-11
Huggins and His Rockies
Get Busy atMacon 7 o-dau
Ball Park in Excellent Condi-
ton and Real Summer
Weather Prevails
By Wood Ballard

MACON, Ga, March 10.-The Sunny
South maintained it's tradition this
morning by greeting Miller Higgins
and his Yankee rockies with a perfect
summer day. The new manager of the
New York Americans rested his young
athletes preparatory to their spring
training, which begins early tomorrow
at the local baseball park
1t was really cay of rest. Not even
ball was tossed, and the Sabbath was
observed in strict accord with the new
laws Of the commonwealth of Georgia.
Higgins, Pat O'Connor, coach; AL
Woods, trainer; several rockies and
half dozen scribes came in late last
night from New York. Business Man
ager Harry Sparrow and several other
players We're awaiting them. Robert
Connery, scout, and Slim Love and Ed
Monroe, pitchers, reported this after
noon. The regulars are due later in
the week.
Caldwell on Job
Ray Caldwell was the only veteran
to make the trip from the home town.
Herbert Thormahlen, the former Balti-
more southpaw, was on hand at the
starting point, and William Lamar
joined the party at Washington. Those
who reported here last night from va
rious points were Howard Camp and
Aaron Ward, of the Charleston South
Atlantic League club; Herold Ruel,
Memphis club of the Southern League;
Sam Wick, outfielder, and Robert Nc
Graw, pitcher.
There are at present ten players
who will don their playing duds when
Higgins calls them to the partk at 10
O'Clock in the morning. All were with
the Yankees for the whole or part of
last season. -
The players walked out to the park
during the day and afterward congrat-
ulated Phil Schenck, the ground
keeper, upon the excellent condition
of the field. Schenck says he has had
some job of it to put things IN ship
shape. A storm early in the year Irac-
tically demolished the park, and there
was much rebuilding necessary before
actual training could be done.
This is Huggins's first training trip
to Macon. His first impressions of the
beautiful little Southern city have
been splendid, and he is anxious to
get to work with his men. He holds
the unique position of coming from the
1hanagership of a National LEAGUE
club to lead one of the younger cir
cult. and he is handicapped by lack
of personal knowledge cf the men
who are to follow his leadership.
With one or two exceptions, there is
not d man on the Yankee roster Hug
gins has ever seen in a uniform. This
will only make me work the harder"
he says.
The new manager IS already in the
confidence of his players. They are in
accord with his methods. Ray Cald-
we'll is one of the most enthusiastic of
Hugs admirers. Slim was so eager to
get to work that he showed up at the
station in New York fully an hour be-
fore train time. lie lacks the heavy
coat of tan which he brought with him
last wear, but he is undoubtedly in
splendid condition, and should be big
:anning factor for the Yankees when
the season gets under way.
Conditions Most Favorable
Conditions could hardly be more
favorable for the opening of a success
full training season. The athletes are
gathered about the lobby of their hotel
tonight in many a tanning bee, min
Cling with the officers and privates from
Camp Wheeler, where 27,OO0 soldiers
are training for a longer season Of big
battles than is at present the lot Of our
diamond heroes to engage in. They
are alike, however, in that all are ath-
letes, and it will be the training they
receive here which will win their bat
ties.
George Stallings, manager of the
Boston Braves, came over to-day from
his haddock plantation to attend
church. He called on Manager Hug
gins.
Higgins says he has not yet de-
cided what player he will take from
the Cincinnati Reds as a result Of the
Tim Hendryx-Lee Magee trade. Miller
IS said to be after a utility infelder,
but the deal may end on a cash basis
so far as the Yankees are concerned.
Harry Sparrow's five weeks at Dover
Hall have improved his health. Spar
row says he heard the alligators bark
ing the other night and that this is an
lnfailible sign Of spring.
Slim Love came to town as hard as
nails. Slim has passed the winter at
San Pedro building ships for Uncle
sSaH. Made more money than l made
in baseball" he says.
Herbert Thormahlen is perhaps the
most enthusiastic Of the rockies. He
Is an unassuming youngstcr, but con-
tesses that he was never more proud
than when Joe Kelley gave him a
chance to become big Lacquer. His
work with the Yankees late last season
should make him a valuable boxman.
AIo~o~Io XI7A