The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-05
JUNIOR PANTHER OUTFIT HARD HIT BY LOSS OF VETS
Material Plentiful, But Holes in Championship Team
 Are, Also

Coach George Reynolds Of Simp- son Tech sent his baseball candi dates out on Munger bowl Saturday for the opening practice of the year. The outlook for Simpson baseball this year is not as rosy as it was at this time last year.
 The hole at short is the one that is worrying Coach Reynolds most. In this position that should have the fastest, surest fielder of the infield, there has appeared no candidate up to date that seems capable of hold
 ing it down. A bunch of men ap- peared Saturday for practice at vari- ous infield positions, but Coach Rev. holds marked them all down as 'in- fielders" and will pick his men to fill the gaps regardless of previous experience at any position.
 The one ray of hope that glimmers through the experimentation of men who have staked out their positions and will contest them this season Is the pitching staff The box staff of last year is back in full with a pos- sibility or so among the newcomers. "Dukie Hamilton and George Nor wood, both star twirlers of last years staff, are back on the hill and started training Saturday. These two twirlers have stacked up against the best igdl school hitters in the state and some of the best independent players and have shown their metal in great style. They will be the foundation upon which Coach Rey- holds will lay his hope for a winning team.
 Shots" Baxter, also of last years staff, is back and win do relief work in the box, while Red" Hickman and possibly Slim Parrish may be used in emergencies.
 O O O
 Simpson Hard Hit.
 The pitching staff is practically the only department that did not suf- fer with the loss of eight letter men last year. Four all-state men were lost from last years team. Sid God bee. all-state catcher; Hubert Cald- well, all-state first baseman; Char lie Hartsfield, all-state shortstop. and Red" Tanner, all-state third base man in 1920, will not appear in Simp- son uniforms this spring. Ray Wheeler, Leon Stevenson, Captain Alexander and Ray Hodge are also letter men who will not appear on the diamond for Tech this year.
 The hardest blow to Simpson hopes was struck with the graduation or Sid Godbee. all-state receiver. Ihe backstop position is now anypody nropertv and will be contested for by several candidates. "Bull' Wes- lev was second string receiver last wear, and is out for the position this wear with Red" Hickman, who has also worked behind the bat at Simp- son. and Laney Easterwood, a husky newcomer, running him competitlon' H.
 First base was left open by the graduation of Hubert (Skeebie) Caid- well who made all-state honors on the initial bag. Among the pros pects are Yancey Senn, slim Far rjsh, Tyler and Martin Ferguson' Which of these candidates will ulti- mately play first base will remain to be decided with the advanc'hs season.
 Among the Inficlders.
 Other candidates for infield posi- tions are Charlie Vincent, Huoere Carroll. Hoyt Prater, Albert vincent and "Curly" Black. Charlie vincent nlaved second base on the simpson nine last year aiN is crack m fielder and a hard hitter. Whetner he will be played at Secoilu ph1o year is uncertain. He may be shl1teo to the shortfield if no good man turns up for this position.
 In the outfield. Yancey sem. "Cracl<" Hanna, Dewey Byrd anu "curly" Black will try for positions Senn may also be used at first un. less a suitable candidate for the ilrst corner is found, while "Dukie' Hanr- ilton and Bull" Wesley will be used in the outfield when not on uu,s elsewhere. Hamilton plays the tieiu when not in the box and wesley WI. probably be used there unless ne makes first string catcher Hahh" and sem are letter men.
 Coach Reynolds is arranging good schedule for the coming year in addition to Simpsons playing Tn the Jefferson County High schooi Iearue which they will enter. Slmp- son may come through with anotner state-leading team, but if so 1t VII he largely on pitching, in which oe- nartment there is no high school III the state that can surpass theE'