Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 199, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1913 — START OF “TOPSY” HARTSEL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

START OF “TOPSY” HARTSEL

/ Former Star Outfielder of Athletics Played Hie First Professional Game at Burlington, fa. Frederick T. Hartsefc manager of the Toledo American association team and former star outfielder of the Athletics, was born in the town of Polk, 0., June 26, 1874. He played his first professional engagement in 1897 with the Burlington, la., team. Hartsei was kept on the jump in 1898. After opening the season with the Montgomery (Ala.) team he went to Salem, 0., then on to Grand Rapids, and ground up the sear son with the Louisville Colonels. The next season Louisville traded him to Indianapolis, where he played during

1899 and 1900. Hartsel’s good work in the Hoosier capital earned for him a place in the big show as a member of the Chicago Nationals of 190 L He joined the Athletics in 1902, and for nine years thereafter he was one of the mainstays of the Philadelphia team. During his stay in the Qurker City “Topsy” played on four pennant winning and two world’s championship teams. He became manager of the Toledo team last season.

Prevent Blocking Baserunner. Connie Mack advocates a change in the rules that will give a runner his base if the fielder blocks the way of a slide. As the code reads now, if a fielder blocks a man standing up the runner gets his base, but not when he slides. When that rule was written the Bresnahan invented shinguards were unknown and nobody could imagine a catcher putting his legs purposely In the way of a speeder.

Manager Hartsei of Toledo.