The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1950-03-02
BEHIND
HOME PLATE
BY DOUG STEWART

OOlIlG IlOnlilS ago. WilCll cilA1 1NoSy /
and l were talking about the Wash
ington County League, he told me
that he was resigning and under no
circumstances would he accept the
presidency again. My answer to that
was that baseball couldn't afford to
lose the services of a man like Macy,
who had done so much for amateur
and semi-pro baseball in the county,
and that l hoped that he could be
persuaded to change his mind.
Now the good news comes that he
has again accepted the presidency of
the league
Paul has not only done lot for
baseball, but he's done it in an ex-
tremely unselfish manner. Although
many people don't know it, during
the years that he has been president
of the Washington County Baseball
League, he has not only refused to
take one cent for his services, but
has also spent his own money in
furthering the interests of the or
ganization.
Yesterday the Major Leagues
opened their spring training, and
from now on the sports pages across
the nation will be filled with base
ball, for despite the popularity of
horse racing, basketball, football and
many other fine sports, none of them
can take the place of baseball in the
hearts of the fans.
This is the time of the year when
sportswriters have their annual
guessing game, so 1 might as well
stick my neck out with the rest.
In the American League, solely on
the law of averages, I've got to take
the Boston Red Sox, but the other
three positions are really tough In
my book Detroit will wind up in sec
ond place, with the Yankees third
and Cleveland fourth
In the National League think you
will find the pennant race will be
just as tight as last year, but I've
got to give the nod to Brooklyn. 1
was mighty sweet on the Phillies
last year, and if you will remember,
l predicted that within a couple of
years they would be the team to
watch, so don't be bit surprised if
they really find themselves this sea-
son and wind up in the second slot
Pittsburgh is also a much improved
team, so let's put them in third, with
the Braves or the Cards taking the
fourth spot.
With our own Hagerstown Braves
there is nothing new to report at
present, and in fact we won't know
much more until they get down to
Myrtle Beach the latter part of the
month and start their spring training.
hope, all going well, to get down
to the training camp for couple of
days early in April and take a look
at the new team in action. Of course,
it's impossible at this time to even
guess as to how many of the boys
that have already signed with Ha-
gerstown will make the club, but if
know Dutch" Dorman, he'll come
up with team of hustling young
sterS, with one or two seasoned play
ers as balance.
This year think you will find the
Interstate League strengthened all
the way, and we should have prob
ably the most successful season in
the leagues history.
The work at the stadium continues
apace, but the really cold weather
has been tough on the. men who have
had to work outside. Work has al
ready started in tearing out the old
toilets under the grandstand, and
General Manager Rufus Edwards is
going all out to have things really
ship-shape for opening day.