Evening star., 1942-03-23
Eddie Spark|es
Afie|d as Well
As at Plate
Harris to Give Lad
Thorough Test in
Spring TiIting
BY BURTON HAWKINS.
Star Staff Correspondept.

Stdr St1lI Correspondent.
ORLANDO, Fla, March 23.-Rare
are the instances where a cocky.
enthusiastic 18-year-old boy has
captivated a baseball training camp
as completely as Sparky Eddie Lyons
has harneSSed the hearts of the
Mats He is the personification OF
confidence. but his blend of egotism
and humor isn't irking anybody.
I'm gonna leave my glove at the
hotel" says Eddie, within hearing
"Bucky won't let me play so guess
I'll Just sit on the bench until it's
time for me to bat for somebody"
Lyons has forced himself into con-
tention for the Mats regular second
base job, though, for Harris now is
eager to stake the fuzzy checked
youngster to more exhaustive test.
He'll be wedging his way into Wash
ington's lineup in the next day or
so and he may emerge with a steady
position.
Not Awed by Veterans.
Eddie isn't awed by major league
veterans. He's been embarrassing
some Of them with his pinch hitting
and he isn't too bad on conversa-
tional rebounds. Some of his mates
were kidding Eddie about missing
one OF Ace Adams curves a foot or
so before he delivered a double that
led to 4-3 victory over the Giants
at Miami on Saturday.
Listen, fellows" pleaded Eddie
seriously. Il missed that curve pur-
posely. I knew if I looked bad on
it he'd throw me another curve. So
he did. I conked it. You gotta be
strategic"
Back at the hotel Eddie was de-
f1ated properly. The little hero OF
Washington's victory was porch
sitting with the guests and talking
baseball when a kindly old lady
turned to him and said, gently.
Sonny, what is your job-are you
the team bat boy?" Eddie's answer
was smothered by laughs and 1t
probably was Just as well. He ac-
tually is younger than Washing
tons 19-year-old bat boy.
Snatched From Tigers Scout.
For all his understandable efer-
vescence Eddie is boy with a sense
of responsibility. He won't be 10
years old until May but for nearly
year he has been contributing
heavily to the support of his
widowed mother. who finds only
occasional work at Winston -Selem
hosiery mill
Hes religious about sending
money home" advises Calvin Grif-
fifth, who managed Eddie last sea-
son at Charlotte. N. C. Il gave him
a check for $500 once last year and
saw him indorse it and mail it
to his mother. He just hangs on
to enough to meet expenses"
Lyons may develop as one of the
/ brighter performers signed by Scout
Joe Cambria. who saw Eddie play
for Winston-Salem's Reynolds High
and wasted no time tying him up
| for the Mats. He didn't sign him
| too soon, for the Detroit Tigers also
were shadowing the schoolboy star.
! Bluege Sees Promise In Boy.
Eddie comes to the Mats at an
opportune time. for his only compe-
tition is embodied in the weak hit
ing. armed Frank Croucher
and Jimmy Pofahl. If he continues
TO swing his bat in impressive style
he could make a fantastic yarn
come true
Harris isn't confident Lyons is
polished enough afield to supplant
Croucher or Pofahl but he's willing
to examine him more thoroughly.
Ossie Bluege. one of the smoothest
| fielders of his era, is enthused over
Lyons fielding conduct, terming him
one of the most natural-fieldin
youngsters he's ever viewed.
Il like the way the kid straddles
that bag on pivot plays" says Ossie.
Hes in position to take throw to
his left or right and still fire that
ball to first in hurry. He's weak
going to his right but. remember.
he's just baby. That boy is going
| to he a real ballplayer"