The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-15
MERCANTILE LEAGUE.
BY BOB WHITE.

BY BOB WHITE,
Tefft, Of the Polarines, is showing
the best class of any of his former good
years. He is a capable utility man and
a dangerous hitter.
Myrick, of the Polarines, is one OF
the most graceful fielders In the league.
His batting orb is Slightly clouded, but
he is a sure fielder and can hurl a fair
game, too.
"Hawkshaw'' Geiger, hard hitting
first baseman of the Polarines. is fast
proving one of the best first sackers in
amateur circles. His hitting is hard
and his fielding has improved beyond
description.
good all around man this year. His
play has certainly improved over any
previous years.
Brady, who manages the orgills which
is something of a gigantic task,
is hitting nicely this season. His field
worries are blamed for that.
Keller, of the Orgill team, is prov
ing a good outfielder and a good hit
ter for a ~youngster just breaking into
fast ball.
LeMaster, third baseman for the Gas
team, Is a capable f%ielderNand danger
GUS hitter, He win be a great help to
the Gasers in the elimination should
they get in the big doings.
McCabe, all around work for the Gas
team, readily stamps him as the best
utility player in Memphis. He catches
well, fields at first superbly and pitches
a good game and at strategy, boy we
say he's there.
Bennet's fielding for the Gas team
continues to show up WELL
Sell, of the Enarcos, is fielding nice
ly this year and proving a good base
runner. His hitting is holding up well.
Jehl, the ole man of the Enarcos, is
proving the same sure fielder Of the
days OF long ago. Probably not a man
hits the ball harder than Jehl.
Hope, the Enarcos receiver, is hitting
well and catching a nice game.
What is the difference between ANA
teur baseball now and in h former
days?
Many are of the opinion that ANA
teur baseball has not elevated. However,
this is entirely the wrong assumption.
In years gone by, particularly about
1906 to 1909 the baseball kings of Mem
phis were the fellows who could sop
up all the beer and other forms OF JOY
water. The hacker who put out n
baseball club in those days was the
man who could pay for his portion of
the rental OF a park, buy costly uni.
forms as none but the best could salts
ty, In addition he would be compelled
to furnish numerous items of baseball
|, playing toys and other things such as
gloves, ankle braces, and last but not
least he must have been one to give
hi team a grand blowout at the end
of the game, win. lose or draw. 1t
is fair to say that he spent about 81, 400
to 81, 900 each year and there was only
one winner,
Time chaugeth all things. This sea-
son the baseball is not confined to the
old players as was the case in the DAYS
Just recited. We have youngsters who
are playing baseball on the same
grounds alternating with the larger fell
'ows in the use OF the finest amateur
baseball grounds in Memphis, Ii not in
the South. The hackers are called on
to pay no park rental. Grounds arc
Furnished for the teams with attendant
to keep them in good condition. The
grounds have some grandstands with
| shower baths at all grounds. The ANA
lAeurs now have 80 baseball teams as
signed TO leagues operated by the Mem
phis Associated Amateurs In addition
to numerous girls baseball teams In
Memphis. which Is somewhat of an in.
novation. All teams are working In
| harmony. The baseball division of the
Memphis Associated Amateurs have
had over 200 ball games played this
season N only two games which went
to protest, or an average of one per
| cent. which tends TO rrove that players
Fare DESTROYS of winning the games on
the diamond instead OF around the table.
The officials Of the amateur association
have practically eliminated fighting as
an asset to baseball playing and with
this element shaken off the sport has
easily reached the zenith so hard fought
! for by the amateur officials.
Now what we need is Fairgrounds In