The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-09

" euueSudy. The Annie OaKleyS a. forth once again to capture the att,
 She is not putting on the frills and fofbles of other years in an effort to grab off the Presidents cup, but neYerth eless those who know the Magic City, realize that a monster crowd will sweep through the turn stiles at Redwood field next Wednes- day afternoon to celebrate one of the biggest days of the year. Opening of the baseball season in Birmingham is what the Kentucky derby is to Louis- vile. It's the biggest day of the year ;n sporting circles
 Open With Vols
 The Barons, who have contracted habit of opening at home with the Nashville Vols as opponents. can't seem to break themselves of this habit, as the Vols are booked to com bat the locals on the greensward at Redwood in the opener again this year. However, the Nashvillians come to town this spring with almost an entire new ball club and a new manager at the helm. Last spring Hub Perdue, the Gallatin Squash, who had succeeded Roy Ellam, the old Baron field captain, was at the helm of the boys from the Dell. Hub ran amuck of bad luck when the season was yet in it's teens, however, and was supplanted by Chick Knaupp, who later turned the reins over to Larry Doyle. Thus, we find the old Giant star piloting the Vols when they open here Wednesday.
 There have been quite few changes in the Baronial lineup since last spring, as well. Moley will show the fans a vast assortment of new faces when the curtain goes up on the opening game next Wednesday afternoon. In the gardens there IS one new outfielder. Really two from the lineup that played greater part of the season, but Stump Clarke and Doc Silva were in the opener last year, Pug Allen having supplanted Clarke as a regular few days later Harry Harper, the hard-hitting en- try, who formerly played with Little Rock, has suppianted Emery. Allen Is no more with the Barons and is now pastiming with the Dallas club in the Texas league. Silva was with the locals all year, Clarke was here most Of the season as utility man, but Harper is a brand new man for Bir- mingham. He played several sea- sons with the Little Rock club, lead ing the league in hitting in 1920 and finishing up near the top among the willow wielders again last year. Fol lowing the close of the season Kid Elberfeld traded him to Wichita Falls in the Texas league and the Baron bosses purchased him from that out fit.
 Young First Baseman
 Age has given way to youth on first base. Dutch Bernsen, veteran in the BaroniaI ranks, looked after the first corner all last season. Dutch's war club came in mighty handy dur ing the year, but Dutch was never brilliant fielder, and Father Time seemed to have slowed up his field ing woefully. This was one of the reasons Moley sold him to Atlanta Another reason was that the Baron bosses thought the three-year rule would remain in order. To take Bernsen's place. at least in the opener, Moley has decided on Johnny Neun, Kid from the Martinsburg club of the Blue Ridge league. Neun, having youth and ambition, has proven a yer itable whirlwind around first tnis spring, when it comes to fielding. The +ans. however, seem to dodbt whether he will hit or not. The answer to this is that he placed the bat against the leather consistently in the Blue Ridge circuit and finished the season with a hitting average of .340.
 At the Keystone
 Second base is the one big question mark Stuffy Stewart looked after the keystone in capable fashion last season and it had been hoped that Stuffy would be returned to the local ranks Fans are still banking on this and the Baron officials are, too, for that matter. but it's doubtful as to whether Stuffy will get here for the opener or not. Manager Moles- worth has been playing Johnny (Sugar) Kane at the keystone in the recent exhibition games, and It IS known that he has been, planning on playing Kane as utility man this sum- mer In the event a regular seconu baseman is still out of camp, Moley will probably play Kane there Tn the opener.
 Burkett at Short
 Pie Traynor had not yet been sent here by Pittsburg when the Barons opened against the Vols last year, and Moley sent Ralph Croll to the shortfield. Later when Traynor came down and caused joy to sweep over the fans, Croll was sold to the Chat tanooga club. And. now, this spring sees another aspirant for the short field glories. Howard Burkett, son of the old major league star, Jess BuTKett. mas DecH pichCu pJ AAoHo6Si Moley to look after this territory. Moley feels that he has coming big leagurer in Burkett. He was obtained from the Norfolk club in the Vir- ginia league where he played and starred last season.
 Tommy Taylor. the Hey" man. made his initial appearance before local fans last spring. We find Tommy over at the hot corner again this year, and he's going better than ever. His heavy hitting has been a factor in piling up wins for the lccal club in the exhibition games.
 Behind the Bat
 Another change has taken place be- hind the bat John Beverly Gooch caught the opener last year. Now Johnny is with the Pirates, and Claude Robertson has taken his place Robertson is the stock catcher secured from the Dallas club in ex- change for Pug Allen and Robby has already won a home with the fans. His pegs to second are sure-fire. Base stealers will have a respect for that arm this year, and pitchers are sure to fear that batting eye. Robby. with his Heinie Groh stance at the plate, has spent most of his time this spring walloping out timely hits that helped the locals win a majority of their exhibition games.
 The Pitching Staff
 The pitching staff is causing Moley most of his troubles. For enc time in his life Carlton has too big a supply of promising looking hurlers. The dope seems to point to Bill Staham's working the opener. Earl Whitehill had this honor last season and crowned himself with glory by defeating the Vols in a 14 innings struggle. By going the full route