The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-05-19
PEPPER-BARBER
TILT FEATURES
, SOFTBALL WEEK
ANCIENT RIVALS TANGLE'
FRIDAY FIRST TIME THIS
SEASON; DOUBLEHEADER
AT PARK TONIGHT

Welcome news to rabid soft
ball fans of last season is the
announcement that Peppers
Plumbers, city champions, and
Sawyer's BARRIERS, present league
leaders, tangle Friday night for
the first time this year.
The two strongest diamond
ball teams of Key West have
battled their way to the top of
the Island City League, BARRIERS
setting the pace with a half
game lead Both clubs have
been defeated only once to date
and will probably take the field
Friday night with a like record
The clash of the eternal enc
mics highlights schedule of
three doubleheaders.
Last year the ancient rivals
developed bitter rivalry in the
National league. The feud was
intensified when the Blue Sox,
third member of the circuit,
dropped out, leaving the avowed
senemies to settle the title among
themselves. A "dog-eat-dog"
down-the-stretch fight ended
with the Peppers declared cham
.pions when they piled up four
game lead with only two con-
tests remaining.
In pitching the clubs are even
ly matched. BARRIERS claim a
trio Of starters in Memo Castro,
Johnny Walker and Dewitt
Roberts. Roberts, a rookie add
ed to the roster this year, gives
promise of becoming the leagues
top-notch moundsman. In two
appearance to date, both against
the Marines, he has turned in
three-hit, one-run performances.
Walker and Castro, erratic at
times, are veterans of the sport
Clarence Cigarette Willie"
Gates, who heads the Plumbers
mound staff, is the most feared
huffer rin the city and the
nemesis of the BARRIERS. Last
year he tossed himself to fame
against his bitter enemies when
on the night of August % he
shutout the Sawyers with nary a
hit. Peppers won the game, 90.
Last week he held the Marines
to two bingles of the scratch va
riety. Mickey Ubieta, Andrew
Griffin and Maitland Arias round
out the pitching roster.
The men who guided the teams
on the field last year are now
baseballing with the DeLand en-
try in the Florida State league.
William Butch" Gates, captain
and second baseman of the Pipe
Filters in 1940, was considered
the brains" behind the power
full champs. He topped his team
mates in hitting. asa, and was
one of the leagues best fielders.
Jackie Carbonell, third base
shortstop, has replaced Gates as
head of the club.
The heavy-swatting captain
first baseman of the BARRIERS,
Clayton Sterling, paced the Ma
tional league in hitting with a
mark Of 500. Monk Kerr, brought
in from the outfield to fill Ster-
ling's vacated spot at first, now
captains the Hair-Cntters.
Peppers are also minus their
poppy third sacker of 1910. Philip
''Chea" Baker, of the NavStas;
Blondell Hancock, pitcher, mem
Der of Key West National Guard,
and Oscar Ward. smuggling pitch
er-outfielder, also in training
with the guards.
Joseph Meme" Domenech. a
leading outfielder who perform
ed for the BARRIERS last year. now
Centerfields for the NavStas.
Genes Tonight
SawverS tonight make their
last stand before meeting the
Peppers Friday They stack up
against weak Navy in the open
Ing end Of a twin bill at Bayview
Park. NavSta. strengthened
since manager Bob Reid issued
his drastic order recently. meets
the Marines in the closing game
Gurtain-raiser tonight begins
at $50 O'Clock.