The Topeka state journal., 1922-08-07
THE DOPE BOX

When the Solons leave tonight for
Hutchinson, they will be minus Out
fielder Neville, who was released by
Manager Cooley this morning. Neville
Joined the team following the injury
to Joe Hahn and hit like house afire
at the start. But he soon fell down,
in both hitting and fielding. and
Cooley decided to cut him off the pay
roll.
In the fifteen games played on the
recent read trip, Neville made only
three hits, and his work in the field
was of the messy variety, especially
on ground balls. With more expert
ence Neville no doubt will make a
good hitter, but he lacks lot of
knowing how to play the outfield.
Joe Hahn may be back to join the
club by the time it returns home. In
the meantime. Cooley Will insert
pitcher in the left field, but may be
able to fill the position with q new
candidate before the week is over.
Cooley is making desperate effort to
strengthen the club for the final run,
and several new players may be in the
lineup when the Solons start the long
home grind the middle of next week.
Ed Byrnes, the St Marys pitcher
who was recommended to Cooley by
Umpire Ernest Quigley, saw the two
games yesterday and announced that
he probably would be ready to
undergo a tryout when the Solons
another pitcher, who was due to join
the club here Saturday, is now ex-
pected to report to Cooley at Hutchin-
son.
There is no question but that the
Solons are in a batting slump, but as
long as Luschen, Smith and Pierce
can keep up their gait, the team will
win a few games just like they did
against 6alina. Luschen and Smith
have set a steady pace all season, and
Pierce seems to have come back after
some wobbly experiences on the recent
road trip. His performance in the box
yesterday was more pleasing to Boss
Cooley than his home run, despite the
fact it was the blow which won the
game.
The Solons are resting today, as a
result of having doubled up with Sa-
lima yesterday, but will leave tonight
for Hutchinson for a series of four
games. From Hutchinson, the team
will go to Independence for four
games, after which it will be home for
a run of twenty-one games. The only
three games just before the season
ends.
The result of Saturdays game
caused In6 SOlOHS TO QEOp TO Sl8lh
place in the league standing. but after
winning twice yesterday, the team Is
again planted at the top of the second
division well in front of the Millers.
And with Hutchinson and Coffeyvilie
in winning form, the race is drawing
close. Whether Cooley succeeds in
adding much strength or not, no one
doubts that the Solons will soon
fight their way into the first division.
This man Pontius looks and acts
like a real umpire. His decisions on
balls and strikes were mighty fair and
he never failed to give a pitcher credit
for cutting the corners of the plate.
His work here places him in a class
next to Harry Womack.
John McCloskey has finally suc~-
ceeded in whipping a team together
that is mighty apt to finish in the first
division. He has a real find in Walsh,
behind the bat, and Olson 10 a nifty
shortstop. Fisher has solved McClos-
keys troubles at first base and MUIR
ply, in addition to his hitting. is a big
Improvement III the Miller outfieid.
Decker is also valuable to the club ;3l-
asmuch as he can play almost any po-
sition, even behind the plate.
If Harry Strohm will take enough
time off next winter and early spring
to have a doctor work upon his run
ming gears, the little inftelder won't