The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-10
LOOKOUT LINEUP FOR FIRST BATTLE SEEMS UNCERTAIN
Chattanoogans Field Well, But Have Been Hitting
 Only LightIy

Chattanooga, Tenn, April 9.-(Spe- cial.) l.)-Chattanooga's Southern league team is approaching the opening tilt with the Atlanta Crackers an enigma to its own supporters. and even to President Nicklin himself. At first glance, the Lookouts appear to have formidable pitching staff in the making, with six seasoned ball play CTS and four promising recruits; a great crop of likely young outfielders with Ripperton to supply the experi- ence; and some fast youngsters in the infield. Previous to the exhibition games local fans saw visions of get ting out of the cellar which the Lookouts have occupied for the past two seasons, but the better condi- tioned teams from farther south have maintained such conspicuous edge over the locals that something of depression has succeeded the first feeling of optimism. The pitching has been fair, the fielding excellent, but the batting unusually weak
 Lineup Uncertain
 With opening four days away, the lineup of the Chattanooga team can only be guessed. Ten pitchers are still on the roster. Just who will be let loose is mystery as all have shown fair form, none especially good, and none poor enough to be cast adrift without misgivings. Nei- derkorn and Kress, a Cy Perkins type or catcher from the Central league. will do the catching. Kress appears the best second catcher Nick has had | in four seasons. Cy Anderson will play first. Eddie Mcdonald, out with broken rib, may not be able to jump into the opener, and if he doesn't do so, utility man Ralph Croll will play the keystone. The other two infield positions are open between Connolly and Devens, two youngsters sent here by Detroit, Slattery of St. Louis, Eddie Stephens, former Florida lea guer, and Rogers, south Georgia find of Bob Higgins.
 RippertOn Makes Good
 Ripperton has abundantly made good in center field where he has been shifted from left. With New Orleans two years ago. Rip was an indifferent fielder, but he is "get- ting 'em' now, his sensational catches being among the most pleasant epi- sodes of the springtime. Talbott. the l Mississippi leaguer, had the lead for left field for awhile, showing up well in all departments, but he has slowed a bit, and Calhoun, an Alabama sand lotter, is threatening to nose him out. Smith, soldier recruit is playing right. He is a good hitter but has not started yet, and fields with with exceeding slowness. Schulte, a youth who looked mighty good at first, has not been sent in the exhibition games l Nicklin based his hopes for ad- vance on belief that he would have Iour 300 hitters in Ripperton. Tal- pott smith and Anderson, and if they should produce according to expecta- 1 tlon, the Lookouts would be cork Ing good ball club. So far, none of the four but Ripperton is hitting and uhtll they do. the locals will not be able to show.
 Lockout Roster
 hookouts as they hit. and last years
 Ripperton. of. Beaumont( Texas
 Croll Macdonald. 2b, Chattanooga. | State league 'p'
 Anderson, 1b. Chattanooga.
 smith If, Chattanooga.
 Nelderkorn, c, Chattanooga; Kress. c, Central league.
 Stephens, 3b, Chattanooe. 5.s 1 pended) team. e'' S'eei l Pitchers-Cunningham. Boone. Noel Johnston, Wingfield Morris. Chatta- nooga; Roe West Tennessee semi nro. Brooks, Nashville semi pro; Ebnieyer St. Louis semi pro; Ballou Middles- i boro. Ky, semi pro-
 Others on squad not out of running. 1 Calhoun, Alabama amateur outffeIder Schulte. Madisonville, ky, outfield- CT; Slattery, St. Louis Muny leaguer shortstop; Rogers, south Georgia shortstop; Connolly. Jackson, Michi- gan league, shortstop. %