Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-03
GA, WOULD Even
SWIPE AUGUSTUS
MILLI0NAIRES"

Lewiston, May There Is every
reason to believe that the Lewiston.
Auburn baseball club will life the
term "Afillionaires" from Ben Haus-
er's Augusta club this Spring for its
own use. Judging by the way star
ballplayers are being signed by
Manager Pat French of the local
club, the Twin Cities are sparing no
expense to gather the championship
team Of the State. From present in
dications Lwiston-Auburn will boast
the highest priced club in Maine.
Money is rounding up the best vail
able material which will compose one
of the fastest clubs the Brother
Burgs ever had in uniform.
There has been the cry of "hurry,
hurry" from certain section regard
ing signing ball players. But the
plants have failed to hasten the
roundup. There Is a reason.
Transformations can take its
sweet little time about corraling ball
players this Spring. All Maine clubs
that in other years have bucked the
locals in the rush for ballplayers are
this year restricted to q $500 weekly
salary limit. But Lewiston Auburn
face no restrictions, through French
will probably not try to exceed $1,000
a week.
Why hurry? From Lisbon Falls to
Bar Harbor, clubs are offering low
salaries; compelled to by a league
agreement. Up the other way,
through Livermore Falls, Farming
ton, Dixfield and Twin Towns. no
large salaries are being handed out
to players. Sanford is the only
Maine club able to buck lewiston
Aubulh, and it is hardly likely that
that town will come within a couple
of hundred dollars of the locals pay
roll.
Players know that the only high
salaries in the State this year will
be paid right here in our pair of
little towns. They are seeking the
jobs. Lewiston-Auburn haven't
sought the players. Brisk and Beau
doin are examples and there are
others.
Ball-tossers generally go where
the money flies. We know of but
one exception where ties Of friend
ship prevailed over the call of the
green.
It's been years since lewiston
Auburn had the fastest Maine ciuo
but the dream seems coming true this
year.
Dave Masterman, Norm Savage,
Phil Brisk, Pat French. Billy Albert,
and Buck Caudette have been sign
ed. Pete Finn, Urann and Earl Heal
are among other stars that may find
their way into Lewiston's payroll.
Will that outfit make other Maine
teams travel? Answer on page II.
There is one club that lewiston
Auburn fans have been longing to
see in action on the L. A. p. grounds
and that Is the Lynn club, the Cor
, nets.
Manager Anderson of the Star
Taxis tried several times to induce
the Comets to come here. but each
attempt bore no fruit. Either the
schedule was filled. or the Comets
wanted about s9,67S guarantee. AT
any rate, the Comets have never
paraded the local park. They may
be here this summer.
Nice, new and natty will be the To-
cal ballplayers in their snappy gray
and green uniforms.
Caretaker Ievesque plans to place
the park in the best possible condi-
ton for the opening of the independ-
ent season. but he needs help from
the city government. There is grad
ing to be done, grass to be sOwn.
paint to be used and much carpenter
work. All that takes money for ma
terial and labor.
Plans may be made for n regular
opening da~ when the team gets into
action. with Mayor Brann and other
prominent workers in the baseball
movement on deck to throw. catch
and hit the first ball. Bands in at
tendance. and bunting Tapping In
the wind, etc.