The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-02-10
Kew West Selected
By Miami SunSOx
. For Training Camp
YANKEE SCOUT TELLS
HAMLIN MAJOR LOOP
TEAM LIKELY TO BE
TRAINING HERE IN'48

TRAINING HERE In '48
The Miami Sunsox, of the Flor
ida International League, have
selected Key West for their spring
training camp this year, Roy Ham
lin, chairman of the Municipal
Stadium Committee, announced
today. He added that it is highly
probable that a major league club
will come here likewise in 1948.
Jay Cone, business manager of
the Sunsox, and Jimmy Hamil-
ton, scout for the New York Yam
KEGS, spent all day yesterday here
with Hamlin, examining the Mu-
nicipal Stadium ball park and
buildings which could be used for
housing. and training purposes.
Hamilton told Hamlin he was
certain that he could bring big
league club here next year to
make Key West its spring train
ing camp. The Yankee scout, for
mer manager of the Nashville
club of the Southern League. es-
pecially liked the close location
of housing and facilities to the
ball field.
Cone and Hamilton said the
ball park would be excellent as
soon as the fence is rebuilt and
repairs are made to the infield.
Hamlin explained that about $500
will be needed for such purpose.
Piping Causes Depression
The underground Sprinkling sys-
! tenn in the infield has resulted in
slight depression where the
pipes are located. Some wet
packing of the pipes and resurfac-
ing will put the diamond in good
shape for the visiting team.
Miami is unable to train on its
own field because the ST. Louis
Browns use it for spring train
ing.
/ Hamlin said that the decision
of club to train here this year
was something of surprise to
him and asked for assistance from
the community to assure the visit
ing team the proper facilities.
| In this connection, Hamlin said
he is requesting one-man com,
mittee from each of the following
to assist him: Chamber of Com
merce, Junior Chamber of Com
merce and Lions Club. A meet
ing of all individuals and organi-
cations interested in bringing a
club to Key West for spring train
ing will be held in the City Hall
at 8 pm. Wednesday to complete
arrangements for placing the
city's facilities in readiness.
More Than 100 Expected
The Sunsox will bring more
than 100 persons TO Key West, in
Guiding $3.50 neWspapermen and
photographers, players, club Off
Gals and their families. The party
will arrive about March l and re-
main until about April Is. AS
Hamlin pointed out, the publicity
and advertising which Key West
will receive during this period
will be incaluable.
The visiting officials yesterday
inspected the West Poinciana Ad-
ministration Building "a large
concrete structure containing
gymnasium, office, sh Wcrs,
plumbing and Kitchen facilities,
and billiard hall. Some 20 apart
ments were also inspected. The
training mess will be in the club
house. James Fort, Poinciana
housing manager, conducted the
inspection. If, by any chance, the
buildings cannot be secured, Ham
lin said, facilities will be con-
Structed at the field.
A representative of the New
York Giants was one of the first
to indicate his impending arrival
here to check facilities for l046
camp.
AS part of the SunSoX spring
program. they will meet the st.
Louis Browns, Pittsburgh Pirates,
Itatdna and Miami Beach in Key
West, with more games to be