The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-09
SPORTS
FIRST IF BARONS
 REPORT ID MOLEY
Tom Stevenson, Veteran, and Recruits Kirk and
 Bote Are Early Birds
By MARVIN MoARTY

True to predictions on the part of Carleton Molesworth. and "Qusck" smith, the Barons have already begun their march on Birmingham. Despite the fact that the official reporting date is Wednesday. several players have been unable to restrain thier eagerness, and have already turned up at headquarters.
 Chief among these, is Tom Steven son, shortstop sublime, but who will take up a new position in the infield at third base this year. Tommy came around yesterday morning, "fit as a fiddle" and with a look of eagerness in his eyes. 'Stevie came all the way from Shelbourne Indiana, where he has been passing the last fe wmonths.
 Pitcher Kirk turned up yesterday afternoon. and was followed soon af- ter by catcher N. S. Bote, of Hillsboro. III. Both are youngsters, who played good ball in sem-pro circles. Kirk made a good record on a Newport News amateur team, and it certain that Moley will give good chance to make good with the Barons this sea son Bote is said to be a good back stop, every inch of his six feet three.
 Lefty" Sigman was also present at the little family group that collected around the hot stove at Birmingham Arms yesterday afternoon. Lefty has been in Birmingham all winter, and is something on order of home folks.
 Other Barons are expected to report today, and by the end of the week at the latest, Moley hopes to have every prodigal present
 Provided enough men are here to make such an attempt interesting, Moley intends to begin spring training Wednesday. He will assemble his hire lings and escort them out to Redwood to begin actual work on his 1920 team.
 To make it more on the order of a family circle, who would turn up but old Mike Hauser, former Baronial catcher. Yes, it's true. This old crony of ours dropped around to headquar- ters yesterday, and had quite a chat with Colonel "Quack'' and other Baronial worries.
 Mike is catching for the Galveston Texas League club now. He has some marvellous tales to tell baseball "out in the cattle country" Quack" Smith told this-one on him, judge it for your self.
 According to Smith, Hauser claims that Texas is a great country for. out fielders the latter species thriving in that country in great prosperity. The ocean wind, blowing in from over the bay at Galveston, catches the ball knocked by. the batters. and holds them suspended until the outfielder runs the necessary three miles or so and unhooks it from out of the ozone. "A home run is curiosity in this lea gue Next!
 Hauser says that he has played with John McCarty, recently purchased by Colonel Smith for the local team. Accord ing to Hauser, McCarty can play the outfie1d, first base, and go behind the bat in pinch. Mike states that the new Baron is a crackerJac player too.
 reputation by the time he arrives in Birmingham. We have been hearing nice things about him from every di- rection Investigated
 Ye INmble scribe is making no pre- dictions, but watch those battle- scared" Barons in 1920. Birmingham scribes have been saying these things since the present Southern League be- gan, but take heed this time. A bunch is at work.