Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-06


Great Work at the Bat.
At this early period in the great race for
the National League flag it would be unwise
to predict that the Chicago team viii win
the prize, but the prediction made in the
Chicago Herald when Arson and his men
were at the Hot Springs, that the team
would be in the hunt at the end of the sea-
son, seems likely to be fulfilled. The secret
Of the present success of the Chicagos is
not hard to find. 1t is to be seen in the bat
ting column Of the league tables, which are
printed every day. Strong, opportunc slug
cling with the stick has done all the work.
1t won three games in indianapolis when
victory hung in the balance, and it democrat
lied the Pittsburghers SO badly that they
made little effort to get their second wind
Singing won the championship for De-
troit last season. It will win the flag every
time. Fine fielding is very pretty,but unless
it is backed up by the stick it amounts to
very little. Pittsburgh's playing last season
is an illustration of this fact. The Penn
sylvanians could not be beaten in team work,
yet the end of the season found the club
among the tail enderS. 1t was CAPTAIN An
sons loudest boast last year that if his men
struck streak OF batting when away from
home he would win the championship hands
down. But the base hits he looked for
never camc-that is, they never came when
he wanted them most.
Fortunately, things are different this sea-
son. Every member of the team is batting
viciously and punching their longest hits at
critical moments The addition of Farrell
to the team is of incalculable value. AS
prize he hangs almost as high up in the tree
as either Kelly Or Garrison. Not since the
debut of Ryan and Herman has such a great
player burst into the ranks of the league.
As batSman he has few superiorS, and as
a fielder base-runner and catcher he ranks
very high. Ryan, Van Haltren, Burns,
Williamson and Darling are batting with all
their old-time vigor, while Sullivan, who
came to Chicago last season with the repu-
tatiou of being one Of the most powerful bat
tiers in the New England League, is smash
ing the ball in a way that makes his last
years record look very small, indeed. An
son and Pfeffer seem to be rather slow in
cutting away under the three-strike rule,
but it is safe to say that this condition of af-
fairs will not last long.
In fielding the Chicagos are playing
very stiff game, the work Of the outfield
being especially brilliant With the excep-
ton Of Pfeffer. who has made but two er-
rors since the season opened, the short
range felders have been little uncertain.
Williamson has not been doing as well as
last year, and Burns work at third is a lit
tie off. But all these evidences Of weak
ness are more than overbalanced by the
strong batting of the two folders The
work of the batteries has also been very
fine. Van Haltren, who seems been trained
down TO a keen edge is ACCOMPLISHING ali
chat was expected of him. Baldwin is also
in winning form, the great drop ball he
acquired during the winter having puz-
zled all the batsmen who have faced him.
Krock and Clarke give promise of good
work as soon as they get rid of their fright.
The strong playing of the Boston team
was to be expected. This club. as at pres
ent constituted, is a formidable organza-
ton. and if harmony can exist among so
many high priced beauties there is every
reason for believing that the team will
stand very high all through the season.
Clarkson is pitching the great ball he
pitched so many years before he put on the
red socks of the Hub, and Sowders, the
S37C0 twirler from St. Paul, and young
Madden, are proving safe alternatcs for the
Cambridge Wizard. With four such pitch
ers as GARRISON, Radbourne, Sowders and
Madden, Boston should rest rather easy.
The only weak points of the Bostons play
thus far this season is their inability to hit
the ball with any freedom or unanimity.
Luckily, there has been little occasion for
such demonstrations; but when the team
comes West it will have to do some hitting
if il expects to maintain its present high
position