The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-18

Rockford, ILL.,, Jan. U.-Tha& hall
players have failed q yet to see the
Handwriting on the wall" Was evi-
dent from Precedent Belle talk 70
the directors OF the Fans asseeia-
ton at the close OF the nah dinner
at Peterson's cafe last evening. The
local prexy sisted that It Is just -
hard to sign players for the comiag
season as Il was for the last, and
that the bali tossers are not doing
their share to reduce the high cost
Of living.
In reporting to the direclors the
players he has under contract for
the coming season, Bell stated that
three are holding out for more
money-Strong who is the property
Of the st. Louis Browns; Hardgrovs
and Littrell, who were purchased
from Cedar Rapids. Bell will not
Immediately turn him back 70 the
Browns il he still maintains his de-
mand for more coin. With Hard
grove and Elttrell, however, the
local prexy is confident that he can
come to terms. Hill, who was dis
satisfied here last season, wants to
work in other pastures next sum-
mer, and Bell has a deal on that he
thinks he will close this week for
the sale or trade Of the pitcher.
Same Old Lineup
Bells lineup for the infield Ii
Rigsby and Williamson, catchers:
Strong or Foster. first base; Smith.
Lamb or Jackson, second base;
Manager Brant. sheftstop. and
Hardgrove. third base. With Strong
on first, the hitting power OF the
ROx infield is increased from $50 TO
$50 per cent In the outfield, Rock
ford will have either Brennan or
Williamson in left field. Bell ID un-
decided what to do with Brennan
and Gallegos. Brennan hit far be-
low his natural gait last season and,
as Joe is q dandy fielder and q fast
man. the local president hates to let
him go.
Can't Sell Gallegos.
AS to Gallegos, Bell has been un-
able to sell or trade him. Roche ID
signed for center field, while George
Mullin. the former Detroit pitcher.
may hold down the right garden.
Mullin also will be given charge Of
the young pitchers. Rockford will
have strong pitching staff 10 start
the season, with Elliott secured
from St. Louis; Leyme. Ceilings, the
tall youth, who was given . tfyout
last spring; Payne, Brown, Mullin.
lLittrell and Huwmell. who wants
ito come back to Rockford.
Besides these players. Bell has
signed an 19-year-old youth by the
name of Westphal from Freeport.
who is highly recommended by
Kruger of that city, now playing
with Columbus. Westphal was the
sensation of the City league in Free
port last summer. He is q fielder.
Tesar, brother of the Tesar OF Cedar
Rapids, now with the White Sox,
!, fielder; Raste, fielder; Foster. fret
! or field, and Burkelder will also re-
port to Rockford.
Working On Schedule.
, DCll, VINO ID SA0lI lu0u VI LUG
! Three-Eye schedule committee, an
nounced last night that work on the
, schedule would be started within q
! few days. Frank Landers of the
!, Morning Star, an Evansville and
, possibly Peoria scribe. will submit;
schedules. Bell has written to every
- club president in the league asking
their views and wants on the 1921
schedule. and has received answers
from all the proxies except Ryan Of
Peoria. The season will open thi!
year on April 80 and close Sept. II
Rockford has been asked to opeI
ard close away from home. the sam.
as last year.
At the meeting last night Il wa
decided TO incorporate the Fans as
ISOLATION as successor to the Rock
ford Baseball association, which i
now defunct and will be dissolved il
legal form