The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-29

THIS is an increase OF
six games over last season. The
new additions are the Lumberton
Cubs, Red Springs Robins and
the Warsaw Red Sox, The Duplin
Athletic association purchased the
franchise and equipment Of the
Angier-Fuquay club Of last year.
A general consensus of the
teams this season finds a more
improved play than exhibited dur
ing the initial year of play, mostly
because of a seasons experience
in the game and the circuit being
expanded to eight clubs. Most of
the teams have displayed greatly
improvd hitting and fielding in
exhibition games, doing better
than most fans expected against
other leagues and independent
teams.
Sanford
Since the Sanford Spinners cop
ped the crown last year, however,
they were beaten by the fourth
place Angier-Fuquay Colts in the
play = off series, the Spins are
again this year doped as the team
to beat. Many of their old hands
will be around. Smuggling H a k
Nesselrode, the loops l a d g
home run hitter, has already in
Dictated that he may surpass his
80 home runs Of last season. The
hard hitting outfielder's $50 runs
batted in was very impressive.
Other outfielders scheduled to
patrol the gardens for the Spins
include Bob Pugh, holdover from
last year and Jimmie Wilson,
classy N. c. State Graduate, who
is making his debut in the Weed
Circuit.
TIL Sanford infield shapes up
good with Joe Messing, Phil Shot
finer, Jimmie Quinn filling the
first, third and shortstop positions.
A fourth starting infielder has not
been selected, but several hope
fuls have been trying out for the
other slot.
Jimmy House, a hurler, W h o
displayed a brilliant form during
the latter weeks Of play last year
is expected to fill the shoes of the
S pinner's ace moundsman,
Howard Auman. Lefty George
Bortz, won II and lost IA last
year; Bill Stone, a rookie with a
1e won and 8 lost record and sew
eral other hot rookie prospects
round out. the hurting staff. Big
Bruce Hedrick, last seasons reg
ular catcher will again don his
mask and take care Of the back
stopping duties.
Clinton
Probably the most revamped
team in the league this year will
be the Clinton Blues. The Sampson
county outfit was runnerup last
season but won't have the team
exhibited by Willie Duke, Van
Lingle Mungo and Bill Campau,
but skipper Bob Hall usually pro-
duces a winning combination. The
only old hand in the infield will be
John Bohonka at second base.
Rockies dot the other infield spots.
The outfield will be strong with
veterans Bob Vorrell and Ray
Riley. Two limited service players
and a rookie, who are reported to
be able to pound the agate a rapid
clip, are fighting for the outfield
berths.
Smithfield
Smithfield's Leafs and third
place finishers, are now known as
the Smithfield-Selm Leafs, will
be under the leadership Of Mickey
Balla. He was let out as manager
Of the club in mid-season last
year but remained on as a player.
Now the front office thinks Mickey
is the man to produce a winner
and he's back at the helm again.
Balla has six men back from
the '46 squad and plenty OF fast
stepping rockies are on hand bat
Ting for starting positions. The in
field will be shaped around vet
eran Phil Morris and Pete How
- T>-u no~oJcE,, and A n q II 6