Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-02-20
by LARRY DALEY.


spencer Abbott. president of the
Tus, Western League Baseball club,
announced yesterday that Red Roach
and "Yank" Davis. center and right
flclders respectively, on HIS Topeka
team last year. will be members OF
the Tulsa nine this season. Roach
Is at Camp Dodge. but Abbott is con
ndcnt he will be discharged from
the service before the start OF the
season
with Benny Meyer, left gardener
and first local player to sign a con
tract. and Davis and Roach, Tulsa
VIII present one OF the best. II not
tho best, outfields In the league Last
year these three ranked first among
W. l. fly chasers as the best trio In
the league All are timely, hard hit
'srs splehdid outfieldefs and speedy
base runners.
Last season q Meyers hit for, .5s5
Roach for 1865 and Davis for .3l4.
an average percentage OF .3tt2.
With the signing OF Roach and Davis
Abbott 10 satisfied with his outfield.
although several promising young
sters will be given trials.
In addition TO his batting proclivi-
ties. Roach was leading base stealer
In the league. according to unofficial
averages. Davis was one. of the
leagues leading sluggers dnd was
cleanup man on the Topeka club.
w. Il. Cleveland. also with Abbott
az Topeka last year and who was
considered ono OF the best third base
men in the league and who has been
working In steel plant at Pitts
burgh, will probably don Tulsa
spangles this year. Cleveland has a
good position at Pittsburgh. but In n
letter received by Abbott yesterday.
said he is anxious for the coming OF
warmer weather and the bringing OF
base ball, lie was with the Pirates
IN 1915. but was not fast enough for
the big top at that time.
Cleveland hit for .295 last year.
Is a speedy base runner and a fast
aSd dependable fielder. Cleveland
was the best third basemap In the
league last year" said Abbott. 'In
addition TO being a swell player. he
Is Il gentleman and made a hit all
around the circuit.
with Davis, Roach and Cleveland
swinging into line. Abbott now has
nine players who he is practically
sure Of Frank Romine, Tod Hard
Ing and Theodore Turner, pitchers;
Mike Bliss catcher. Jack Reader In
fielder and Benny Meyer. leftfielder.
have signed contracts.
Abbott will leave tonight for ST.
Joseph 10 attend the final meeting
or Western league moguls, which
starts Saturday. Much important
business will be laid before the
"magnuts' and the session IL ex-
pected to he Of severar days dura-
tion. one Of the first and most i'm
pprtant items is the election OF a
Rresident TO succeed Il. W Dicker-
son, now n knights of Columbus
secretary In France. John Savage,
president OF the Joplin club last
season and former Kansas city
AMERICAN association secretary: Ed
Hanlon, St Joe proxy and Tom
fairweather. Des Moines boss, have
hecn mentioned as prospective West
ern league executives. Unless "A
dark horse should develop. Savage's
election In looked upon as the most
.lkely as 1t Is doubtful II Hanlon or
fairweather would sell their clubs
Savage should make a good man
Tor the place. He has had years OF
experience In the game. is popular
among members OF the baseball fra
"hh hhoWN III NhV ihb "iu
outs OF the game both on the field
and in the office.
Drafting OF a schedule Is expected
10 consume several days time. Alb
oott IL going TO demand that Tulsa
be given an-opening date and does
nor anticipate much opposition. New
eurrs are usually given an opening
date and the added fame OF this
city as IA baseball loving town will
also be factor when schedule
makers award the openers
Formal awarding of the Tulsa
franchise to Abbott and other bust
ness will be acted upon before the
uhl' makers 20 In session.
James X. Crawford, Tulsa oil man
VINO Is associated with Abbott was
kept busy all day yesterday receiving
congratulations OF Tulsa baseball
IanS Crawford is one OF the early
advocates OF Western league base
ou'l Tor Tulsa. IL a dyed-in-the-wool
IAN who knows the game we'll and
WI be great aid to Abbott In the in
SIDE work OF the club