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(Fall, 1919)
The Twilight League has arrived for the 1919 Season. Six teams compose the league, 14 players to a team. Selections were made by a Committee composed of Messrs. Hedman, Abel Sprague, B. Smith, W. Hickman, L. A. Wickliffe, L. S. Strohinger, Homer MacMillan and G. Hamm. It was found impossible to divide the teams up by departments so this method of selection, in which each time is supposed to be as good as the next, was used. As names for the teams, the following have been suggested: "Lenox", "Bob Whites", "Ambers", "Ivorys", "Stars", and "Naphtas". These have not been definitely decided upon at this writing, however--but in any case the K-C Baseball scribe is willing to bet his little two-dollar-and-a-half Kelly that the poorest team in the league can wipe the earth with the best that Ivorydale can produce! (Sounds strong, but we mean it.)
Strive strenuously; live gently.
The schedule for the Mercantile League has not been drawn up as yet, but several meetings have been held. Old P & G will be represented as usual, and in all probability with the winning bunch--also as usual. We are glad to be able to reproduce a picture of the cup won in 1918, as well as the team of Champions that won it. While of course the Commercial League at Cincinnati is hardly in a class with the "Saturday Afternoon league" as the Mercantile League is commonly known, we hereby challenge the Ivorydale Champion team in that league to post-season game or series of three games, to settle the matter. Buck Fisher, please write. Frank Glade, how's your batting eye? Tommy Thompson, save stamps! Jim DeMar, where are you?
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The old reliable "Connie Mack Hedman" will be in charge of the K-C Champs this year, which means another pennant and cup. We were afraid that after Buck Fisher came out here and played a few games with the boys and showed them up so badly that it would take all of the "sap" out of them. But "Connie" has secured some new blood, we understand, and if we don't grab the rag this year we'll all be disappointed. "Boge" Smith will certainly be on first, and when that lad plays ball he plays all over. He surely loves the game. Abel Sprague, however, has quit the grand old game and has taken a permanent end man's part in the minstrel shows. He's a good ball player, but we honestly believe the fans will miss his "crabbing" more than his playing. He's so good-natured that we feel sure the only thing that would makehim good and mad would be for someone to take all the raisin bread at the Lunch Club before he arrived!
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Charlie Lorfing and his big stick are still with us. When this boy hits the old apple the fielders take their lunch with them when they go after the ball.
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They say they have a new pitcher by the name of Van Hammer and that he peddles a pill that would make a railroad doctor ashamed of himself. It actually makes the batters ill when they see it whizzing thru the air toward them.
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Soap Chips has a new ball player named Smith. If he is anything like his namesake, "Boge", his team will be out there in front for sure.
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It may be a shock, but the Electricians will be represented by Ed Deveraux. For this reason, as well as the promised appearance of Mutt and Jeff at every game, we feel sure of a large attendance. If you are in the dark about any of the games, the scores, the players or the schedules, see Mutt or Jeff. They know!
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By the way, George Mougham, another of our old ball players, has taken charge of the Star Naphtha "sneeze department" and the way he hammers on the old drawer legs to make the powder come down should surely increase his batting average.
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Prospects are fine for the Pennant to come to the office team in the twilight league. "Kid" (Red) Clay who has been holding out for a bonus has come to terms with the management and signed for the season. He will e used as lead-off man and will cavort (Mr. Skillman, please note) in right field.
Experience is a good teacher, but it charges like a specialist.