The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-07-07

2i1E 0OA lineup u Liz eNA0fAOC
County Baseball League defeated
the Ft. Myers Caloosa nine in the
latter city. In q return game
here, The same Sox lineup again
won over q III. Myers club, this
time a picked Team of the best
players available III that vicinity.
Venice Indians swooped down on
Key West four weeks ago and
Key West Conchs scalped them
in both games played here. Last
weekend. an All-Star club from
Tampa jolirneyed to this city, and
went back home with two de-
feats and one victory in . three
game series with the Eonchs. Al
Ediamondban team representing
the Re-Nu-A Art lumber company
lof Coral Gables felt the sting of
defeat at the hands Of picked
club Of Key West players on the
afternoon Of the Fourth.
Three baseball teams and one
softban club, representing cities
on the east and west coasts of
Florida, and Key West players
defeated them all. Local fans
are still talking Of this clean
sweep, and visiting players re-
turned home with greater respect
for the prowess of Island City
ball tossers.
Regular lineups of the local
teams were used. The Tampa
club was a very strong outfit.
picked stars Of several teams. not
just one aggregation. They stag
ed q thrilling series, despite los
ing two games. They outhit and
scored more runs than the
Cohchs, although II Of the tallies
and II of the safeties were re-
corded in the second contest,
which they won.
That lone defeat brought to
Ilightsthe weakness of Roy Ham
| Inns gang. In one or two games,
the Conchs are unbeatable, but in
a series of three or more, the
pitching department fails to pro-
duce more than two hurlers cap
able Of holding down a heavy
hitting team. One of the mounds
man, Robert Bethel, usually never
goes the route, his peculiar deliv-I
Iery rubbing a blister on finger,
which causes him to lose control
of the ball.
What we don't understand is
why can't Key West gather to-
i.gether the best talent available
when playing against any other
city? No doubt the answer to
this question probably lies in the
lowdown told this writer from re-
liable sources. We do not wish
to open old wounds or create new
ones, so suffice it to say that the
animosity existing among the
players of Key West bodies no
good to the community at large
when an important series is at
stake.
Rivalry among teams of the
local league is expected. With
out the enthusiasm and desire to
win, baseball would amount to
nothing. However, when an OUT
side club is ready to do battle
with Key West team, that riv-
airy or animosity should be done
away with, and in their place
should come feeling of coopera-
ton and willingness to aid the Is
land City in any way possible to
defeat the opposition.
A former Key West baseball
player, now resident of st. Pc
tersburg, told the writer the
Conchs must prepare to meet q
stronger team in Tampa when
| the locals play a return series
there the latter part of this
month. If this is true or not,
we believe manager Hamlin
should prepare now to overcome
the weakness Of the Conchs dis
played IN the second game Of the
series here.
There are a number of players
above par available for his selec-
ton. Lets not take a chance of
losing now that we have estab-
I.lished an outstanding record
against other cities Of Florida. Sc
cure the best, now, and be on the
! safe side.
Barcelo, Joe Navarro and Ster-
ling would add batting strength,
and infield or outfieId reserve.
Puby Carbonell. Salinero or
/ Wickers would smooth out the
bunny spots in the pitching de-
parfnnent. With these boys in re-
serve, the worries suffered by
Hanllin in the second game Of the
series should vanish.
Allhail Key West players-de-
featers Of them all Lets keep UP
that record.
WILLIAM RUSSELL.
Key West, Fla,
July q, 1899.