The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-02
BOONE HAS SIGNED 'NOOGA CONTRACT
 FOR 1922 SEASON
Bad Weather Has Hindered Lookouts--JohnSton Will
 Be on Hand
DUTCH KREUMYER


 Chattanooga. April Especially Just at the time when the Chatta- Inooga team seemed to be rounding into great shape to start the cam paign. bad weather came along and the first part of the week not only saw little practice but witnessed the loss of much of the progress that had been made. To offset this damper on the spirit of the fans and manage ment, Dan Boone who has been a "s20O more" holdout for, several weeks, signed his soontract, and George Johnston. who has been coaching a college team. let Magnate Strang Nicklin know that he would report in time to start the season. and ready to pitch This cuts the holdout situation down to Outfielder Bill Shay, who is conceded now to be permanently retired and Pitcher Dupuy, who has steadrastly ignored local correspondence. although he pitched against Atlanta in an exhibi- ton game at Bay St Louis recently, and has shown no signs of quitting the game
 The Pitching Staff
 The pitching staff at present seems destined to be composed of Cunning ham. Wingfield, Johnston, Boone. Morris and Noel with possibility that one of five recruits, Roe. west Tennessee southpaw; Brooks. Nash vile and southwest Virginia sand lot fork handler: Smith, south Georgia discovery; BaIlew, a lInuckleballer from Middlesboro. Ky. or Ebmeyer. an underhander from St. Louis, will edge in past one of the veterans. Whatever happens. Strang / Nicklin says his pitching staff will be O. k. Neiderl<orn Is Catcher Doc Neiderkorn will be the first string catcher. All the rockies have been released now but Kress, Cen tral leaguer Nicklin visited Ty Cobb In Augusta last week in an effort to secure Catcher Spencer. last years Raleigh phenom. but Spencer is show ing too much to be let out at the present writings
 Shortstop remains a point of bitter controversy. Anderson first, MeDon- aid second. Stephens third, Croll util- ity are practical certanties but Rog- CTS, Bob Higgins protege; Craig, a 1 Florid da phenom; Devens, Steel leaguer picked up by Detroit; Con nelly, a Massachusetts collegian, also sent down by Detroit, and Slattery, St. Louis Muny leaguer. are fight ing 1t out for the shortfield berth Connolly has the most experience and the hest recommendations but he is still weak from a broken leg received late last season.
 In the OutfieId
 Six candidates are still running neck and neck in the outfield At present the first team is lining up with eRipperton, former Pelican, in left; Talbott Mississippi State leaguer. in center: Smith, Sixth cav airy soldier star in right. Three oth- CTS, however. look just about as good as Talbott and Smith, Ripperton being sure of his job The trio are Barrett. Savannah; Calhoun. south Alabama, and Schulte of Madisonville, Ky, Barrett, who started out with a big flourish, seems to he slipping just bit but the others are hitting hard and fielding splendidiy.
 The local exhibition schedule is a peculiar affair. Save for tilt with Sewanee. not one game was played up to today's affair with Toronto, but from now until opening day an exhi- bition frolic will be staked every day. the program being as follows: April 1-Toronto InternationaIs.
 April 2-3-Chicago White Sox.
 April 4-Philadelphi Athletics.
 April 5-6-Toronto Internationals.
 April 7-S-9-St. Paul American As- sociation.
 April 11-12-Cleveland Appalach- fans.