The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-09
= - n-MII
By ROD SPARROW
Howdy, folks.
Long time 10 see.

Long time 10 see.
But it's good to be back in harness again and to find
on our return that % there is more interest IN local sports
this year than ever before and (2) there are some readers
who have missed us while we were toiing at other tasks;
One bit of evidence of increased interest in local
sports was seen Friday night when the Pirates met the
Golden Belt Athletic club at Legion field. There was an
unusually good crowd on hand to watch the game which
would have been an excellent one had it not been for a
heavy field and grass slick from the recent rains.
But the thing which particularly pleased this corner
was to see the youngsters that have stepped into the game
and who are showing real promise as baseball players.
For example, there is Hargrove Davis, a lad we have
always fancied would be as good as his brother Porter in
using the mitts, were it not for his game leg. But using
a catcher's mitt instead of those designed for the ring, he
is plenty hot. Davis is much better at the plate than be-
hind it, but even in the latter position gives promise OF
being a Grade A ball player. Friday night the lad poled
out four hits in five times at bat and would have had a
perfect night at the plate had it not been that Ball, of Dur
ham, did the impossible and robbed him of a hit that seem
ed headed for the race track. Davis still needs a bit of
coaching while behind the plate, but under the tutelage of
Bert Kite, who was a catcher of no mean ability himself
once, we believe, he will become one Of the best seen in
this section.
Johnny smidt was in there Friday night, also, taking
the place left vacant by Graham Edwards. Smidth hit two
for four and looked good afied.
Roy Lamb apparently was bothered by the lights as
he patroled the outer garden but the lad has talent, we be-
lieve, and after a season with She Pirates should be able
to hold his own on the diamond.
Cheshire may or may not come under the heading OF
youngsters of the diamond. He has had more experience
than the others we have mentioned, but is still no oldster
by any means. And the way he bore down from the mound
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ball than will be found in this section. Striking out ID
men in a game is certainly nothing to cause any hurler
shame, and the way Lefty fielded his section of the dia-
mond was something to behold.
This corner is anxious to hear returns from the base
ball game to be played at Whiteville this afternoon, for
it will give us an idea of what to expect next Wednesday
night when the Columbus county lads come here to meet
the Pirates. This afternoon the Whitevillians are meeting
the Golden Belt and whereas comparative scores may not
mean much, it will give us something to go on. Whitevlle,
incidentally, has revamped its lineup entirely this year
and when the boys come here Wednesday night the fans
will see some real talent on the diamond. This year the
Columbus aggregation has such men as Barksdale, freshman
catcher for UNC; CaraWay, who has played good ball in
the northeastern section of the state; John Lewis, who
hurled for Erwin in the Tobacco State loop last year; Gay
lord, Coastal Plains league centerfielder last year; Ripple;
Heatherly, formerly of the Florida State loop at first, and
his younger brother from Stetson university.
While Whitevile is playing the Golden Belters this
where he will try some revsions in his lineup preparatory
to putting his best combination of players in the field We'd
nesday night.
We may be wrong, but it is the opinion of this corner
the Pirates are going to find they have their hands full
Wednesday night and a win will be something of a feather
in their caps.
During our absence we have been pretty much out of
touch with things in the field of softball but it is our hope
that within the next week or so we will be able to get back
into the thick of things again. In the meantime, we'd
season aided us so admirably in keeping in touch with all
branches of sports in this section. Let's hear from you
fellas. and we'll try to make this column just what you
want it to be.
Record Catches Are Reported