Tri-City Preview

Tri-City Braves' Fans Look For Good Season
The Northwest sports beat.
(Editors Note: This the first in a series of nine dispatches on 1950 pennant chances of Western International League baseball teams)
By JIM GRANT
United Press Sports Writer
KENNEWICK, Wash., April 13, (UP)—Baseball blooms this spring at Sanders Field for the first time in Western International league history. And Tri-City fans are chestily predicting their team will be one to reckon with.
They point with new-found pride to Clint Cameron who led the league last year with a sparkling .380 batting average. Then there's "Jungle Jim" Warner, the home run king who powdered 43 four-masters over assorted fences last year.
The brand-new Braves of Tri-City moved here en masse with the former Wenatchee franchise in the league shake-up last summer. But a few additions have bucked up the squad which finished fourth in the 1949 pennant scramble.
IN THE OUTFIELD
Dick Faber, optioned from Sacramento of the PCL will probably draw outfield duty along with Cameron and Warner. Johnny Scherger, a local lad playing his first season of pro ball, also is making a determined bid for a fielding spot.
At first base will be Vic Buccola, recently purchased from the New York Yankee chain, who was with Victoria last year. Vic hit .320 during the '49 season. Second base is Al Spaeter of Salem and Tacoma, a .280 hitter. Rookie Artie Wilson, a 19-year-old taking his first fling at play-for-pay, will be at short. Neil Bryant, who last year knocked in 108 runs, completed the infield at third.
PESUT AT BACKSTOP
Backstopplng duties fall to Nick Pesut, a .332 sticker last season and a long ball hitter. He'll be backed by another Sacramento optionee, Jim McKeegan.
For hurlers, Manager Charley Peterson counts Lou McCollum, lefty Cy Greenlaw, Bill Caplinger and former Detroit Tiger Joe Orrell.
Fighting for the other three pitching positions are Les Logg, a local product; Bob Felizzatto, a lefty; Dick Stone; Charles Stiglich, another southpaw; Ken Kleasner and, of course, Manager Peterson.