The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-23
Wate And Chase Old Timers Tangle August 3
Baseball Benefit Game Is Set; Wagner, Delaney
 10 TWirl

Waterville, July 23-The annual baseball game between the Chase Metal Works Old-Timers and, the Waterville Old-Timers, takes place, Saturday afternoon, August 3rd, at 4. o'clock on the Waterville diamond. This will be a benefit game for an injured Waterville player. Tickets may be secured from any player, also from Harp Dunn's tavern or Francis Burns grill.
 These annual Old-Timer games bring back to the diamond stars ot yesteryears who have refused to an- swer the call of Father Time by re- tiring from active participation in sports.
 Last years game saw 32 players in action during seven innings. This years roster contains a few more names, about 37 in all. There is intense rivalry in this years game due to the fact that Henry (Hook- balD Wagner, the pitching star of last years game, has switched from the Chase Old-Timers to the Water vile Old-Timers. His reason for making this change is that after breezing through Six things without giving Waterville a hit, his team- mates folded up behind him in the seventh. After Waterville had two men gone, they made nine successive errors, allowing Waterville to score eight runs and win the ball game, 8-7. He still claims the distinction of being the only pitcher on record to pitch no-hit game and lose it by score of 8-7.
 Eppy Gagain, who caught Wag- ner'S famous Unionville hooks last year, did not switch with his bat tery mate, so Wagner brought plenty of pressure to bear on him.
 Gagain Takes Credit
 Eppy said, About 95 per cent of Wagner's effectiveness last year was due, not to his pitching ability, but to my coaching him where to throw every ball. Watch him fold up in the first innings this year without m yhelp!" Regardless of this bet ting odds are still 10-6 on Wagner's right arm to turn the trick this year.
 The Chase Metal Works Old Timers will take the field as fol- lows: Eppy Gagain, old Waterville catching star of pre-war days, behind the bat; Frank Delaney, who has been baking out his right arm since the first of the year in anticipation of this comeback, will match Wag- ner's hooks for Chase's. By the way, Delaney has one advantage over Wagner. He is switch pitcher, and can hurl effectively right or left. Freddie LaChance, Yost football star, will cover first base. This will mark Freddie's first appearance in 8 baseball uniform in 30 years. George (Old Ironsides) Baker, whose play around second base on the old Long Hill diamond is still talked about by Burnt Hill boys who played ball some 40 years ago, will cover second base. For shortstop, Chase has decided edge in Lou Stevens, who tried out with the New York Giants in 1903, and who was forced to give up professional baseball due to an ankle injury. On third base will be Alderman Patrick F. Shea, old Tribune star, and the one player who Wagner is afraid to pitch to. Shea claims he can hit a home run, blind folded. Wagner says No" Time will tell.
 In the outfield will be Fred Great orex, Frank Seery and George Franks. What combinationl Speed. offense and defense, are all evident in this combination. These three men made up the Waterv.lle out field when they won the state cham pionship in 1908. 1909 and 1910. They keep in shape by working out daily at the Waterville diamond.
 Chase's Reserves Better
 The reserve strength of the Chase Old-Timers Is much better than that of Waterville. Leo Connolly is utility iniieider; Jack scanlon. fore nler catching star of Sandy Hook high school. will relieve Eppy dagain behind the bat. Pat winston. ex- golfer. Pete corrlgaii. former Cros- by high school track star. Harry Truelove, Cce Bfaas pitching marvel oi years aeo. joo Lan0uotte. ex~6t. Ann's I1rEeH star. aa1 H|iI Graham.