Evening Journal

SEMIS COME
IN GOOD FORM

Promise Faster
Quality
of
Amateur Baseball Than
Ever Before

MANY FAST PLAYERS
ARE UNDER CONTRACT

That the Semi-Prof. League will furnish the city with the best amateur ball it has had since the first year of the County League, is assured from statistics and inside information gathered during the week. Although the contracts have not as yet been turned over to President Abrahams it has leaked out that some stars are already signed.

Allen Moore, of Highland, a big man full of big things, has secured Front and Union street grounds on Tri-State off days, and is after an option on another first class field for other days. He has among his players Sam Knopf, Duncan, Charlie and Al Beatty, Charlie and Mark McDonough, Naylor, Sam Alexander and Bonner. All are well known. Knopf being the star pitcher of last season's team; Duncan, the best amateur catcher in the city; the Beatty and McDonough families speak for themselves. Naylor is the pride of New Castle. Moore caused a shiver to run through New Castle fans when he got the inside track on this youngster. Alexander and Bonner are of last season's team. These are the ones that are known. if the ones not known are of equal quality it looks like a repetition of 1911.

New Castle, with Charlie Countiss at the helm, is tugging away, but most of it is behind closed doors. Of course they are sorry to lose "Kid" Naylor, but Countiss says he has plenty better than him. Most all the stars of 1911 are slated for returns.

The names, however, are not public and when President Aleck asked what the club was doing Countiss said, "Telling everybody that I am for the Wilmington teams, when I am really giving them first consideration before I decide anything, for I know they are hard to please. They are pretty good sports though, and I think they will be all right by the time the next meeting rolls around."

The surprise of the year in the League is "Bill" Crouch's appearance as manager of the Marshallton team. If Countiss should happen to lag on any subject, and forget the player proposition, he will find his suburban rival greatly ahead of him. "Bill" is of duPont fame and like Jimmy Jackson, of the Tri-State League is this year advancing from player to manager. Bill was captain of Marshallton last year but is boss this season. He has the signed contracts of several fast players and is practically sure of such players as Prentiss, Flood, Harrington, Burke, Shuler, Guest and Allison.

From what can be learned there will be a change of management in the Madison team. T. Bayard McKenney will now hold forth as business manager, and "Doc" Haymeyer, a popular idol of McEvilley's store and the west side will be team manager. Mr. McKenney has been seriously handicapped by business reasons from giving the team the attention it desired, but with an able assistant, fur should fly. The following players are being considered. Cy Young, Ben Nichols, Curley's Stillwell (who by the way, may be captain) Welch, Lynam brothers and Glenn.

They were to have their first practice on Saturday, but the weather was not to their satisfaction.

Phiney Hastings and Bill Coughlin of Pullman, say the only team in town is going to be Pullman and that Eleventh street bridge section will, at last realize what a good team is. On their list is Steinle, a well-known catcher, Stevenson, a crack Baltimore pitcher; Smoot, Ryan, Kane and Elliott, all infielders, and Bill Coughlin, himself. Casey and Davis, outfielders. This list will be added to in the next few weeks.

Imperial with Furny Cole and Charlie Welch as managers, has secured Tommy Kane the famous pitcher for the coaching department. That one move places them on the list for consideration, before any manager becomes so bold as to say "I think the pennant is mine." Around him are going to be found, it is said, such players as Freddy Lewis, Divenney Chick and Bob King, Bill White, Harry McCall and others of whom little is being said. Perhaps that means Tri-State yanigans.

The next meeting of the league will be held on Monday evening, April 1, when rules and schedule will be adopted and forfeits posted.