[Tiger Fan]

TALES FROM THE LAIR

Wolves Showing Slow Signs of Improvement -- Although the Toronto Wolves are showing signs of improving, Brett thinks the remainder of 1950 will be challenging for the fans along with all the staff. To Brett it seems that the team has adopted a "what you see is what you get" stance for the balance of the season. The team has made their bed, now they have to lie in it for better or worse.

The club has committed to John Wells as their shortstop of the future and Kirby Copeland to a corner outfield spot. Some veteran observers think that the commitment to Wells, 19, may have come at least a year too early but Manager Barrell puts it this way: "He is a big part of our future, time to take the training wheels off he is going to complete his development in the FABL. His talents, work ethic are obvious, there might be some trying times ahead for him especially on defense. The organization has total confidence in him to continue advancing. He is a work in progress, we ask our fans to see, recognize his talents, give him time. For a player to be a starter in this league at 19 when he was playing High School ball a year ago is a feat very, very few can achieve, he will be fine with time."

This past week the team split with the Cannons to end their long road trip with a 5-15 record. After winning the last road game the team strung two wins back to back for the first time in over three weeks with an 8-6 victory at home over the Sailors. That game showed the biggest area of the Wolves need going forward. George Garrison pitched 8 strong innings, when his mates scored 7 in their half of the 8th frame, Barrell decided to hand the ball over to Chick Wirtz after an error by McCormick on a Wells throw with the Toronto club leading 8-0. Wirtz didn't retire a batter before Barrell came back to get him with the score 8-6. The big blow being a Grand Slam by Frankie Gonnella. Lou Jayson came in to preserve the victory for Garrison after a number of tense moments.

The relief corps has surrender far too many leads this season. Barrell has to find someone to lock in victories for the starters. Brett believes the main area of focus should be finding arms within or outside the organization to shore up the bullpen. When rosters expand in September fans can expect to see a number of new arms in the bullpen.

For the balance of the season Brett expects to see Barrell experimenting with the staff along with the lineups. Fred McCormick seems to be growing older by the day, he had 3 miscues in the game when Sailors staged their ninth inning rally. Frank Brunch Jr will probably see more time at first over the final six weeks.

There are positives to build on. The team looks strong up the middle of the diamond if Wally Boyer's defense improves. Harry Pomeroy has made big step this year behind the plate. The likes of Dom Tripp, John Fast, Frank Frady, Randy Hendrix are probably playing to save their big league spots through the end of September. The same is true for most of the relievers with the possible exception of Jayson.

Conspicuously absent, by his silence, has been Owner Bernie Millard. Brett is told that he approved all the changes made at the end of July. He is currently watching the results closely, he was told that he should prepare for some difficult times as the roster turns over in the final two months. The telling time will be at the end of September when the year end meetings take place in the Wolves' offices during the World Series. Attendance is down 8% but the staff is now trying to boost numbers by advertising the new players along with cutting admission prices.

SUNDAY SPORTS WITH BRETT BING

A Look at the Wolves Future --[/b] Now that the transition at the FABL level has begun in earnest the Mail & Empire will take a look at the Wolves' system for players that fans may be seeing in the next few years. Now that John Wells is firmly a member of the Wolves he will look at each team in the system listing the, in Brett's opinion, the top hitting, top pitching prospect along with where applicable the biggest disappointment.

Buffalo Nickels (41-72, 7th Union League)

The team has a number of hitting prospects including 3B Pat Todd, CF Tom B. Davis but Brett thinks 1B Tony Ballinger, 22, has the most potential on the team. Ballinger line in 263 PA is .290/.350/.458 10 HR 32 RBI. If Fred McCormick decides that he will retire after this season the fans could see Ballinger next season in platoon role with Brunch Jr. Hopefully his power will improve over time as the Wolves need a homerun threat in the lineup.

On the mound recently acquired starter George Carter, 22, has impressed since coming over from the Cougars. In 3 starts at AAA he is 3-0, 2.53 1.27 WHIP . Expect to see him in Toronto when rosters expand next week.

Biggest disappoint goes without saying; but it is Les Leadbetter, 21, who is 2-16, 5.84 1.82 WHIP in 23 starts with continued control issues.

Chattanooga Reliables (49-65, 7th Dixie League)

Another deadline acquisition Charlie Zimmerman, 23, who has shown through out the full season between Chattanooga, Nashville he is ready form the next step in his progression. Combined this season he is 8-7, 3.23. He still has a few control issues, if Carter get the call to the FABL expect Zimmerman to move up to Buffalo.

At the plate 3B Bill Parent, 24, whose line of .306/.399/.369 certainly deserves a look at AAA. Parent can also serve as a utility man being able to man 2B, 3B, SS, CF, RF.

Disappointment goes to LHS Doc Kidney, 26 who progressed up the system rapidly then has failed to handle AAA. He may get another shot at Buffalo in 1951.

Davenport Dusters (51-62, 5th Heartland League)

Top hitting prospect has to be a June draft choice CF/1B Ralph Miller, 21, who was taken in the fifth round. He has already had stops in Tuscaloosa, Vancouver this summer. He has hit very for the short stints at each level. Expect Miller to be put on the fast track up the system. He has proven he can hit, he needs to work on his play in the field.

Most of the pitching staff are on their way down or out of the system having landed in A-ball by default, A fringe prospect would be Joe Gallo. 23, who was selected in the 24th round of the '49 draft.

Vancouver Mounties (58-56, 4th COW)

Pitching is another deadline pickup from the Cougars. Lefty Mike Emerson, 21 who has been impressive in 2 starts. His next move will be Davenport as early as September.

First round pick Skinny Bennett, 21 made a brief stop in Alabama after being drafted a second time by the Wolves. He will spend the balance of 1950 at B before being slotted higher over the winter when the system is again revamped to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Tuscaloosa Tomcats (25-18, 2nd Gulf States League)

There are a number of bats that have shown promise including 1B Carle Patterson, 21, with 8 HR in 36 games, 2B Earl Dziedzic, 20, C Joe Hyder, 22.
On the hill are two flame throwers who have trouble locating the strike zone Kid Moore, 22 along with Joe Sigler, 18. Moore has to figure out how get the ball in the zone the quickest of the two.

Brett has also decided to add a couple of quick notes on the other two pro teams.

Tales from the Manor

The hockey Dukes took D Dan Morrison in the first round of the draft then selected wingers Jerry Belanger, Ryan Alavie to complete the draft. All three will likely spend the winter with their junior teams.

As the team readies to head north for camp in less than two weeks the team resigned Alex Lavalliere to a three year contract. Jack Barrell is said to like Lavalliere's game being able to handle both wings, he is a useful depth piece. Rumours around the Dukes include the movement of their 1949 first round pick Ken Jamieson to the left wing for camp as he will not secure a spot as a center. Most people think he will at least start the year in Cleveland as the team felt that leaving him in junior would be the waste of a year. A battle watch at the McIntyre Arena will be for Broadway's backup between Terry Russell, Charlie Dell. Whether Dell stays or goes to Cleveland is the question, if he stays the Dukes will try to trade Russell. Fans can expect a high spirited camp after last year's playoff disappointment for the team.

Tales From the Nest

The cage Falcons drafted PG Robert Smith and C Edgar Stilwell then signed PF Merrill Abell. The team is quiet at the moment said to be waiting for the fallout from possible league contraction. If players become available the staff will busy before the start of training camp.