New Britain herald., 1924-04-14
EVERY BIC LEAGUE TEAM ON EDGE
 AWAITING FIRST CAME TOMORROW


 showers for the opening of both
 major league seasons tomorrow.
 Unusually lively contests in the
 "Florida Cocoanut league" and in
 southern cities as the big league teams
 worked their way home. presaged a
 general interest which bore fruit in
 crowds of 5, ,00O and 2O,00O at Chi
 cago and New York yesterday in the
 final preparatory games. As all teams stand on location awaiting the opening ceremonies the official government re-
 port announced its sour prediction.
 Cloudy, unsettled and cooler wealth CT over most portions east of the Mis- sissippi with showers as far east as the Appalachian region were prO1nis- ed.
 Tomorrow's Assignments
 Umpire assignments for the opening games in the National lcagne tomor- row were announced as follows:
 At Philadelphia: osday and Me Cormick.
 At Cincinnati; Klem and Wilson.
 At St. Louis: Moran, pfirman and Powell
 At New York: QuigleN Hart and Sweeney.
 As the big league teams stand at the barrier awaiting the word Play Ball." brief review of the preseason outlook and an attempted glimpse into the future is not amiss, In the Ameri- can league seven strong contenders seek to dethrone the championship hut .ln plf,, will be a hard team to beat. Here's how Billy Evans. famous umpire and baseball expert, sizes up the American circuit:
 New York--Thc Yankees arc going to be hard to beat in the American league, Huggins has great pitching staif. Perhaps some of the veterans ar" slipping n bit, but 1t is still the best corps of hurlcrs in the majors, pitch- ing wins pennants. Rival American league clubs look over good pitching in every game they oppose the Yankees. Club appears no stronger than last year.
 Dctroit.--1'y Cobb has dangerous club because it can hit The Tygcr problems is second base and pitching. If Detroit gets consistently good pitch Ing the club is so strong in other l"- partments Of play that it is sure to be contender all the way, The prob lem is pitching. Without it the Tygurs will suffer. Little change in team strength over last year. 1T Shortstop Bigncy's injury keeps him out of the lineup, it will bc another serious handicap.
 Cleveland -- Tho Indians have strengthened first base at the expense Of second and catching. Some Of ihe promising young pitchers may miss the handling of the experienced o'Nelll back Of tho plate. Wamby is a mighty good ball player He passed 10 Boston with O'Ncill for Burns. Burns will add batting punch, help the offense, The loss Of o'Neill and Mamby may weaken lcfcngc.
 Mushingion-M Much the saae ball club as last year with an aggressive, brainy leader, making his major hagnc debut. Under Harris the Washington club is certain 10 go the limit to win in every game. This is the temperament of Harris that is certain to be taken up by the team. Third base and pitching are inc two problems that must bo solved. Same club with : different spirit,
 Chicago-A club that seemed 10 fail io make tho most of it's possibilities last season. A new leader in the person Of Frank Chance may cause a shakenP in ihe club that win enable the SUX 10 make trouble. There seemed to bn something lacking last season that kept the apparent strength of the club fin the playground. White SoX should show improvement and be a better club.
 si. Louis-The condition or Mana ger George Sisier is Inc bi@ IF with the Browns. Sisler back in the gamc. playing the remarkable ball he is cap able Of when right. makes all the diff ference 10 the world to the Browns. slsler at his best gives ball club . real punch. Sislcr out uT it hurts thr teams morale. The Browns for that reason are the IF club Of the Amcri- can league.
 Philadelphia Connie Mack's club was tho spring sensation iu major league bnsclal lin 1923. II wouldn't br surprising if Mack's club was an all- year sensation in 1921. Mack'a hopes are largely built around three recruits. strand. Simmons and Bishop. stars in the minors, 1f they deliver in inc ma- iors his club looks a crtanity for Inc first division.
 Boston--The most improved club iu the American league. The addition Of three veteran players oi tb" worth ui Steve O'Ncill. I5ill Wambaranss and Bobby Ncach is certain t9 make tho Red Sox much more formidahir. in 2 dditiou. Lee Fuifl. new manager has some promising recruits. Improved spirit oI the club. plus a9d'1 conG- dcnce. sure to be big factors in teams . improved showing.
 Resume of clubs New York again . appears Co bc thc outstanding team in |, Inc Am, rican lcaguc. with th" roai , ,f ite Hoid pretty w-l lmnchcd. Thr Y, positive statement of thr roti"rHt Nr ', 'iack that the Nunk.cs s1OHll again sin. with his club second. gives you 7. .omc idea of what may happ'n in 70" American league tifis summer. Tn" , Athletics finished sixth hy a Tosn last |, isasOn. Seven improved clubs fighting champion isthe dope ia inc aiIcri- . an. witl-tf.s rhastu .. yrfr older.
 National League
 Cardinals: Rogers liOrnsby has al- ' e8dy commenced his WallUpins tao ics. for the Cardinals. bringing In the .nly run against tHc Browns yesl'r- lay with a four base dnse. Several .sw faces appear iu the Cards uucup iue 10 the inInfy of Hubby Clafnous. atcl4.r. and the HgidOJt of Milton stock. Three yol.nesirrs. Eirk %i.