Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-08
Diamond Dust
BY "LEB"

The Harlingen Ladds continue to
keep the League leadership well
monopolized- A fair hurting staff,
batting punch in the pinches, and
a good deal Of luck have kept them
! first place since the first week
OF league play.
Much discussion as to the 'hard
luck" and lucky hurlers of the
league has taken place. Without q
doubt Lefty" Phillips has fared
better than any other chunker. The
saints have dropped every contest
70 the Ladds when Phillips was IN
the box, in the last frame by q des-
perate final rally. The Saints have
usually outhit the Ladds in the con-
test and seem TO carry a substantial
lead until that final frame. In each
caSe the hard luck hurler happen
ed to be Rankin, the Mission fire
man, who pitched alright baseball
Tor eight innings, but weakened IN
mat last go-round.
Speaking OF Phillips, we have been
tod by several members Of the Laid
club, that the lefthander has been
doing a great deal OF road work the
past few weeks. A good way to stay
IN condition!
Manager Trammel uncorked a
real lind this past month when he
sent SquireS, a pitcher, into the
outtieid. The Southpaw has added a
great deal Of batting power TO the
club and has played the pastures in
great style.
Saturday the Saints broke a
aine game losing streak when they
trounced the Ladds 90. 1t is gen.
orally understood that Manager
Waitman has many calls out into
into the country for several addi-
tons 10 the club. What the Saints
seemed 70 lack is the necessary
in pinches. Records show
where more of the Saints have been
left stranded on bases, than any
other circuit member. Poor base
running. as well, has cut down
many rallies.
Manager Harding announced the
ether day that the La Feria crew
would be able TO play some games
ut home within the near future. The
Hawks have a part at present and
= fence and bleachers are 70 be
constructed IN the near future.
Now comes the announcement
that the Legionnaires are going 10
install a lighting system at the
McAllen Park and will be in opera
ton by June 18th. The completion
OF this project will make two cities
operating under the lights and will
then give every fan in the Valley
an opportunity to witness the
games at night. On Of the objections
raised by the Upper-Valley fans
with regards to the lights at Har-
lingen. was that the distance was
too great TO go TO witness the games
with the installation OF the lights
at McAllen, objection in this respect
will be eliminated.
The only complaint We have
heard so far about playing ball at
night, IS that the games are over
IN the late hours Of the night. If
the club officials could see fit TO
start the games somewhat earlier,
attendance should increase a great
deal.
Bob Briggs. the "golden-voiced"
radio announcer from KRGV. has
made a great hit with his detailed
descriptions Of the game at Harlin-
gen. and recently made the remark
that broadcasts have helped attend
ance at the games. We fear that
many fans are staying at home in
order TO listen 10 that great master
Of the air" and are ~neglecting TO
give the clubs the support they
need.
Frank Higgins, the lad who cap
tanned the University OF Texas nine
n 1929, was sent to Dallas recently
by the Philadelphia AS, and has
been looking great. Higgins home
Is IN Dallas and playing before the
homefo!kS seems TO be doing him
good, Tor he has been hitting well
over 800 since joining the Steers.
Another former University stu
dent who is making good down in
the Valley leagues "Kildee' Mid
kiff. The lanky Gonzales FIRST base
man has been playing an excellent
game around first and though his
has fallen down lately, we
believe that he Will be watched
by any scouts that come down here
again. Midkiff has been shagging
them and picking them I'D from all
around his position, and many er-
rcrs have been saved by his excel
lent fielding.
While speaking OF ball players
from Uncle Billy Disch's stomp
ing grounds, one can hardly miss
mentioning a young lefthander from
McAllen. HarWood was a member
OF the Frosh nine in 1929 and was
considered one OF the best pros
poets Texas had in years. Harwood
never returned to school after that
year and since then has been play
ing seml-prc baseball in and
around Houston. The early part Of
the year he came under the wing
Of Tex Covington's brother. who
sent him to McAllen. Since joining
the Palms he has won his share OF
the contests and opposing batters
claim him to be the best south-paw
IN the loop.
The league officials have been
hunting far and wide for a Dizzy"
Dean, a Babe Ruth. or an Art
Shires. In other words. some real
box office attraction. The Saints
had "a call IN for ore the other dav