The record-union., 1891-03-12
HOW THEY PLAY.
The Practice Work of the Members Of
the Sacramento Club.
A Team of Strong Batters and Effect.
i've Fielders-France Arrives and
Does Some Tw1riing.

A crowd of people almost as large as
the average weekday audience last year,
gathered at Snowflake Park yesterday
afternoon to see the new Sacramento
team practice. They were all at work
with the exception of Works, who is still
in Omaha suffering from q severe illness
France had arrived early in the morning
from the East, and was on the field lin
bering his arm and getting the stiffness
out Of his joints, occasioned by the long
ride. Reitz, Goodenough, McHale and
Veach also took a hand in the practice
| work.
| From 1:S0 to o'clock the players in
dulged in game of numbers" in order
to give each man an opportunity to hit
the ball as hard or as scientifically as he
could. France, Hustin and Hoffman took
| turns in pitching, and Spies and Hoover
| alternated in catching.
| 1t is safe to say that the stronghold OF
McCloskey's team will be it's batting.
Every man is good hitter, and some OF
them are what are termed in baseball eti-
quette "sluggers." While Hoffman
were driving the ball over the right field
fence. and the remainder of the players
We're sending it over the outfielders'
heads.
TWO BIG MEN.
Ward and Sunday are big strapping
men and very active. The former, who
has the reputation of being one of the
best men in the West for bunting the
ball, gave several exhibitions of how the
feat is accomplished. Three times in
succession he gained first base after bunt-
ing the ball towards third, and it was
noticed also that the third baSenan was
playing a very close infield. Wards
fielding work at the center bag was quick
and clean.
Sunday is the exact build of "Jack'
Sheridan, who Will officiate as umpire
this year, and a person could hardly dis
tinguish one from the other at distance
of 100 feet. He is short and stout, and is
very hard batter, and a difficult man for
pitcher to deceive. He is good aver
| age outfielder.
France is small but well proportioned,
and has pitching arm that will delight
the cranks when they see him use it. His
style OF delivery resembles that Of Har-
per, except that France is left handed.
He has that side arm throw which is
noticeable in Harper's pitching, but if he
| may be judged by his work yesterday, he
has far better control, and
CURVES THAT WILL BEwILDER
a batsman when he first faces the pitcher.
| Speed is not lacking in his delivery.
Goodenough tried eight times yesterday
| afternoon before he could hit the ball.
| Hustin did not show what he could do
in the way of twirling, but is said to pos
| sess considerable ability. He is better
batter than the average pitcher.
Spies and Hoover appear to be sat
home" behind the bat, and are also good
men when hitting is needed.
Hrrtnh fc, f,nII l,,4
the eye of the spectators yesterday. He
| is tall and slim, but wiry, being built
very much like Goodenough. With the
bat he is what McCloskey calls "a
corker," which means man who can
line out hit pretty nearly as often as he
chooses. Hutchinson's fielding, how
ever, is clever. He is as active as q cat
and handles the ball as quickly and
neatly as any infielder who has ever
played here. He will guard the third
corner for the Sacramentos and if there is
a weak spot in the infield it will certainly
not be at third base.
PEOPLES, M'GUIRK AND M'CLosKEY.
kid" Peoples, at short, handles the
bali as though it were no effort at ALL He
simply goes down after ''grounders, !"
stops them neatly and makes a sure
throw to the initial. He is good line
hitter.
McGuirk, who will play at first base,
will make good man for the position if
he gets his arm into shape. 1t is lame at
present, and it is almost an impossibility
for him to throw across the diamond He
is a safe man on low and wide-throws,
and aims never to allow wicked
ow-thrown ball to get past him. LET it
hit me and STOP" is his motto.
McCloskey gauges fly balls accurately,
and very seldom misses. He is a hard
hitter, and, in uniform, resembles Staple
ton.
The team, as a whole, appears to be a
good one, and ought to be able to cope
with any of the other clubs i'll the league.
AS long as the members play earnest ball
and conduct themselves, on and off the
diamond, as gentlemen, they need have
no fear but that the Sacramento public
will support the club.