Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-07-22
RAIL LIGHTS
Toledo Traction Team Has Aggreg.
alton of Stars.


The Rail Lights have for years
been the leading semi-pro club of
Toledo, and probably no club of their
class in the country, taken year in
and year out, can approach the To-
ledoans for consistent play. Never
theless it was recognized this year,
with other Independents strengthen
ing to the calibre of class IA minor
leagues, the Rail Lights would have
to bolster some places. With the
new players signed it seems that
strength has been added just where
needed, and the club is expected to
make a great record this year.
The Rail Lights have been playing
major league clubs in Toledo for
years, and winning their share of
games from the big fellows. In 1919
they played the Cincinnati Reds just
before the worlds series and the
coming champions won out after a
fierce battle by 2 to l score. Pre-
vious to that the Rail Lights had
beaten the Washington Americans 7
TO /. In May of this year they de-
feated the Chicago Cubs 5 to in
great contest and on July IL won
from the Philadelphia Nationals.
Allen Collamore, eX-Clevelander,
Ralph Comstock, formerly of the De-
troit Tigers, Minneapolis Association
and international league clubs, Ralph
Bell, who had one season with the
Chicago White Sox and came to the
Rail Lights from the Northern
League, and Jimmy Baxter who has
been pitching for the Traction team
for years, comprise the mound staff.
Collamore and Comstock are prob
ably the best known. The ex-big
leaguers are in exceptional form this
year and are capable to do their part
to maintain the teams well earned
reputation. Comstock is the only
one Of the quartet who was not with
the club last year. Ralph came to
the Toledo outfit from the Max
wells, Detroit's star semi-pro ag-
gregation.
Sam Brenegan, formerly with the
Western League, is doing the bulk
of the catching, although Manager
Wells is counted upon to don the
mask at times. Both Brenegan and
Wells are able TO handle any sort of
pitching, and both are powerful
stickers.
Sweeney has been playing first
base for the Rail Lights for two
do l..
self last fall, when he was pressed
into service as first sacker for the
Indianapolis A. A. club. He banged
out five hits in five times up, but
refused all offers to sign with the
Indians, preferring to stay in To
ledo with the Rail Lights.
Daubert at shortstop is a new man
from the New Orleans club of the
Southern League. He recently turned
down an offer from the Oakland club
of the Coast league. Daubert and
Thompson, who has just been ac-
quired from the Toledo A. A. club
and plays secondbase, form a great
keystone combination. The signing
of these two has added greatly to the
offensive and defensive strength of
the club
Connie Bresnahan, veteran third
sacker, is on the hot corner. Connie
is major Lacquer at fielding, but
his hitting has never been anything
to rave about. Nevertheless, on ac-
count of his team batting and clever
base-running, he helps greatly on
the run making end of the game.
The Outfield is of the highest
class. Sammy Van Dyke, who led
the team in batting last year is in
left. Van Dyke is great fielder,
the fastest runner on the club and
wonderful thrower. He PLAYED
right field last year, his place being
taken this year by Charley Miller.
from the Wichita Falls, Texa League
club. Miller is the lead off man, a
fine sun fielder and an all round
star. He has been with the Cardi-
nails in the National League and with
Denver in the Western. In center
field is Bubbles" Clark, one of the
Traction teams brightest stars.
Clark is strong in all departments,
has played professional ball in
several minor leagues and can be de-
pended upon in a pinch.
In addition, Manager Wells is a
finished outfielder, and can play any
of the gardens.
The Rail Light team with its pitch
ing strength, speed and attacking
power makes up a great combination.
Thus far this season the team has
played 25 games losing s and winn-
ing II. and includes victory over
the Chicago Cubs by the score of )