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Daily News -Miner*3 — Fairbanks Dnify New$.Mmer, Tuesday, August 20, 1963OneOwl’sObservationsSPORTS EtllltWe have been knocking the tar out of the ball andimproving every game/7That's quite a statement comtng from Panner manager Red Boucher just a few days prior to the Fairbanks opener at WchiU—especially in the light of the three defeats the Panners suffered at Grand Junction.Nevertheless, it's a reassuring one. The Pannershave been working overtime tuning up for the Wichita tourney, and although they dropped five games in the process, they've managed to iron themselves out.Suplizio Joins PannersIn addition, the man who beat them at Grand Junction will be accompanying the Panners through the Wichita games. That man is Sam Supliiio, manager and cenferfielder for the Grand Junction Eagles,Suplizio is an old baseball friend of Boucher and has agreed to go along with the Panners as a player and possible manager in the case Boucher needs aid* He used to play ball in the New York Yankees farm system until he was injured.Other players added since the Panners left Fairbanks are AH-America left*fielder Bill Scripture who can also play the infield; pitcher Mike Paul from Cerritos Junior College who Boucher said looked impressive in a 3-2 loss to the Eagles; Charley Hartensfcin, a 20-year-old pitcher from the University of Texas who throws much the same as John Stapp, and Stapp himself who joined the club at Grand Junction. (Boucher did not make clear whether he will use all the new additions at Wichita, but did say they would definitely be with the cluh next year. The player limit at Wichita is 17. Stapp is not expected to play next season.)Opening LineupBoucher said his opening lineup will probably be the following: A1 Coutts, second base; Gene Neri, left or cen-terfield, with Suplizio going to center against a left-handed hurler; Bill Scripture, left field; Mike Ash, catching; Tom Sommers, third base; Nick Averse, right field; Bill Brown, first base; Emmitt Wilson, shortstop, and Dave Dowling, pitcher.Suplizio, who, although he may see some centerfield action, will be used primarily to help Boucher scout other team* in the tourney. Boucher calls him tH« most inspirational player I know/' The manager writes; With Wichita instant Glas* having four ex-Yankees in their lineup (two pitchers, an infielder and outfielder),. Sam's knowledge of these players will be invaluable (he has played either with or against them)/'As far as pitchers are concerned Dowling is the mainstay for the tournament. Boucher says he should be real sharp for the Wichita batters, considering the pitching he has been doing on the road. Stapp is next in line, but he hadn't pitched for almost a month before he joined the Panners at Grand Junction. Whether Paul or Hartenstein will pitch at Wichita is uncertain. The balance of the hurfers include Gary Prestesater, Bob Ward and Jim VTsher who will comprise the bullpen.Hitting Is GoodFor the hitting end of things Mike Ash and Bill Brown have really been plowing the apple, Boucher said. Brown, who filled cleanup at Memorial, has been hitting from the seventh slot in the states, with Ash in cleanup. He surprises pitchers who aren't looking for a heavy hitter batting seventh. Moreover, Wilson, a good clutch hitter and explosive ball player under pressure, is hitting in eighth spot, another surprise for careless pitchers.Developments arising out of the Goldpanoer Caravan include an agreement between Boucher and Suplizio to bring the Grand Junction Eagles here next year for asix-game Midnight Sun series with the Panners returning again to Grand Junction next year. It is also possible that the Panners may participate in the Baltimore Orioles farm club system with which the Eagles arc now directly affiliated.In addition to the Eagles' visit here, plan* have been discussed to bring in Hie Bellingham Bell* of Washing*
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Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Fairbanks, Alaska, US
Tue, Aug 20, 1963
Page 8
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USA 29 May 2022
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