INDEPENDENTS SET TO BEGIN SCRIMMAGES

INDEPENDENTS TO PRACTICE AT BALL PARK THIS SEASON

SEPTEMBER 3rd, 1917 - Practice Location Manager Walter Flanigan announced today that even though the old practice field on the playgrounds of 25th street were a more central location, the team will practice at Douglas Ball Park this year. The park is the home of the Island City Baseball association. The team practiced at the playgrounds the past two years but were unable to hold scrimmages at that location due to filed limitations. Douglas Park will allow the team run through signals as well as scrimmage vs. each other.

Coaching Staff - The 1917 Independents will be coached by Ted Guyer with the help of assistant coach Ted Davenport.

Initial Practice – Supervised by veteran guard Frank Smith, 15 men were out for practice yesterday morning. Coach Guyer had duties at the Arsenal to attend to and coach Davenport was in Chicago attending the automobile races and then trying to secure several games for the upcoming season. Loius Kolls and Nelson were unable to attend due to a baseball game. John Harty and Jack Lazeras were among those present. The men were out booting the football and running through drills to loosen the muscles. The practice was casual an no signal work was done.

INDEPENDENTS WILL WORKOUT ON FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 4th, 1917 - Douglas Park Practice - Powerful nitrogen lights will be strung from the west corner of the grandstand to the flagpole. This will allow the team to practice under the lights on a good field as needed. Some twenty five – twenty eight men are expected to be out for practice. Everyone who is expected to challenge for a position on the team has been invited to be present.

REGIONAL GRID NEWS

SEPTEMBER 6th, 1917 - Davenport Athletic Club – News out of the rival D.A.C. is that local star, Waddie Kuehl is slated for an end position with the club this year. This is seen by the Independents as quite a step back for Kuehl since he will see fewer carries in this position and will be required to play more defense which ts has been reported he, “detests”.  Manager Red Wolters signed Malcom Galvin of Hammond Indiana yesterday to coach the team for the 1917 season. Team Conduct – D.A.C. Manager Wolters has been busy this fall and his actions have taken a hit on the Moline faction in their efforts to secure a strong team. Manager Flanigan is equally as ambitious in his recruiting and desire to build a strong club but is not resorting to such tactics. Flanigan instead is recruiting from within the Rock Island city limits or outside the tri-city region.

Source -Rock Island Argus September 1917