The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-20
IN SEASON START
Eight Teams in Southwestern
League Are OF.
Celebrations in Order in -Four
Opening Towns.

Coffeyville. Kan, April 2o.-Play
ball, When these magnetic words are
shouted more or less simultaneously
this afternoon on four diamonds, the
eight teams of the Southwestern
league will make their 1922 debut.
AItho five of the teams are of Kan
sas, the only opening game today in
Kansas will be that played here with
Salina. The other games will be at
Sapulpa, against independence, Kan;
at BartlesviIle, against Hutchinson.
and at Muskogee, with Topeka as an
opponent.
With speculation varying eight diff
ferent directions as to who will win
the pennant, fans anxiously await the
first test of strength today to offer
something on which to base their
dope" Each team has played a few
practice Games and Josh Clarke, the
Coffeyville manager, is one of not
more than three out of the eight who
is making any claim on pennant pos
sibilities. In fact, the fans feel that
already Clarke has strengthened his
top of the column. Coffeyville fin
ished third in the chase last year, In
dependence taking the lead role.
Clarke Has Plenty of HurIers.
Clarke has saved four Of his best
hurlers-Joe Victor, Wilbur Ray,
IL
Bousha. To this string he has added
"Pus5" Brooks and Wayne Middleton.
both southpaws. and Harwood, the
last two coming from the Cleveland
Indians. Clarke believes that he has
a stronger infield and outfield than he
had last year. including at least four
heavy hitterS.
For the opening game today. the
program calls for stores and indus
tries closing to permit employees to at
a
city band and city officials. At
o'clock at Forest park, Mayor Fra NIX
Mcclellan is billed to throw the first
ball.
n Expect Big Crowds.
In each of the four cities, the day
will be celebrated as a community
holiday. and. with good weather on
hand, managers expect record break
ing crowds. Parades, bands. decora-
tions-all the trimmings that go with
a gala day-have been arranged at
each of the four cities. In turn the
four cities on the visitors bench for
the opening games will stage a jubilee
for the home boys on May 2, 8 and +,
on which dates they will open on the
home diamonds.
Western Association Opens, Too.
Kansas City, April 20.-With radical
changes as to club membership and
personnel the teams of the Western
association and Southwestern league
today began the chase for the 1922
pennants.
Thousands of fans in the cities of
Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Ar
kansas, where clubs are located.
scanned the skies for weather har-
bingers whila in those towns where
opening games were scheduled the
rooters took a holiday and made their
way to the ball parks.
Fans in both leagues were especial
ly interested in the first days showing
of the new members of the orga MIA
tions. Topeka, Hutchinson and Sa-
lima are the new teams of the South
western, having obtained the fran
chises held by Miami. Pittsburg and
Cushing.
Joplin and McAlester are the new
corners in the Western association.
They succeed Chickasha and Drum
wright, who were in the league last
year. Joplin comes to the Western
association from the. Western league.