The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-14
SOUTHERN clubs
TO START SEASON
ON HIGHER PLANE
Teams Stronger, Outlook
Is Bright, Says Martin
In Message

MEMPHIS, Tenn. April 13.4(By
Associated, Press stronger clubs than
last season-0n paper at least--with
many new faces will break the barrier
Tuesday for the start Of the twenty
third championship season Of the South
ern association of baseball clubs with
every indication pointing to a prosper
Gus season and merry scramble for
pennant honors.
Everything is set and ready for the
seasons opening Tuesday" John D.
Martin, league executive, said in
greeting tonight to Southern baseball
followers. The showing of the clubs
during spring training and exhibition
games indicates improved playing
strength and assures lively competition
all around the circuit. We have used
our best efforts to make rules that
rules will be enforced.
Baseball was never on a firmer
foundation in popular interest and pub
lie confidence and it is up to us who
administer its affairs to keep: it SO.
THE Southern association has hon.
ored me with a new term of five terms
as league president following five years
of service in the office. / pledge the
public my firm intention to see to it
that Southern association baseball shall
remain worthy of the splendid support
our southern people has given it. So
lets play ball and play it hard and fair
and square"
Many New Players
Out to defend the pennant they won
last year, the New Orleans Pelicans have
patched up the weak spots in their ma
chine. But the other teams have not
been idle in this respect and many new
players with good records in other
lagues will be seen in Southern associa-
ton uniforms this summer.
In 1924 schedule calls for 154 games,
beginning April Is and ending Septem-
Der 81. The pennant winner, as usual,
will play the winner in the Texas
league for the southern states cham
pionship.
With the exception of Atlanta and
Mobile, all Of the clubs begin the sea-
son under the same arrangements that
piloted them through the 1928 cam
paign.
Bert Niehoff, who managed Mobile
last year, has gone over to Atlanta, and
will pilot the Crackers this season, sue
ceeding Otto Miller, who is playing with
indianapolis this year. Emil HUM,
WHO mas Aelu uUMH Inc AnSS eaCA AVr
the Mobile Bears for several years, sue
ceeded Niehoff as watcher over the
,destinies of that club.
There are only three bench mana
gers" in the Southern association this
year. They are John Dobbs of Mem
phis, Jimmy Hamilton of Nashville and
Kid Elberfeld of Little Rock. All the
others are players and will start the
season in the lineup.
NiahOf no Play Second
Niehoff will play second base for the
Crackers. Nunamaker will hold down
the first sack for the Chattanooga Look
outs. HUM will hold the same post
for the Mobile Bears. Larry, Gilbert,
it is understood, will divide his time be-
tween: the bench and center field, which
position he played for a number of sea-
sons. Stewart win direct the work of
The Birmingham Barons from the key
stone sack. Dobbs, Hamilton and Elber-
field will look after their clubs from the
bench and the coaching lines.
The league umpire staff remains prac-
tically the same. as last year, and only
two new men in blue will be seen on
Southern association diamonds on the
opening day. The newcomers are Munce
Pigle of Nashville and Bick Campbell.
President Martin has called meeting
of the umpires here Monday, when as
signments for the opening games will
be made. Umpire Pigue probably will
make his debut in Nashville. III.
Opening games are scheduled as fol-
lows.
Birmingham at Chattanooga.
Memphis at Little Rock. -.
Atlanta at Nashville.
New Orleans at Mobile.