Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-04-21
THE BASE Ball WORLD.

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THE BASE BALL WORLD.
The New Haven Team Critically Con-
sfdered = Where IL IL Weak and |
Where strong A New Pitcher
Sagncd-The Outlook for the Season |
The Local Teams showing in the |
EKh1bit1on Games.
The outlook for base ball this season in
this city is reasonably fair, as far as
any present knowledge will permit of sur
mise. The opening has been as favorable
as conld be expected. Until the weather
shall become settled no one may expect
large crowds to be in attendance, but there
does not appear to be any good reason
to think that the interest in the game will
not be pronounced. There is not q single
club in the Eastern association but should
draw well here, and the prospects for a
successful season, both for the local club
and the association at large, are most fiat
tering.
While the showing of the local team in
its exhibition games has not been as good
as many hoped it would be, still this fact
argues nothing against the strength of the
club In itself, and there is nothing in the
showing made to dishearten the followers
Of the sport in the city. The fact is that
the local team has been looked upon in al
most every instance as the strongest in the
association, and in every game played
the strongest forces of the oppos-
ing teams have been brought into
play and the whole idea has been that the
New Haven team must be defeated under
any circumstances. This was notably the
case in the games played with Boston last
week, when the Hubs were pitted against
the batsmen of the local club. 1t is an &C
knowledged fact and so conceded by sew
eral members of the visiting team that in
Fridays game it was the intention of the
management of the Boston club to put
Sullivan IN to pitch for five innings, but
that they did not dare to do so for fear of
losing the game. Another thing
| which must be remembered in this
connection is the fact that the local club
has had for its opponents in the series of
| exhibition games the strongest clubs in the
base ball world to-day. That the local
club is able to put up as strong game
! against such clubs as they did against the
New York Giants on Fast day, or against
the Bostons last Friday, argues we'll for
| the strength of the team and its ability to
hold its own in the coming championship
struggle.
Now as to the makeup of the To-
| cal team: The outfeld as at pres
| emit constituted is the strongest in
| all points of the game of any
| club in the association. In Henry, LaIly
and Sommer the local team has trio of as
fine felders, heavy batsmen and good base
l in o1u1, ~ I,a
one which will surely make its mark be-
fore the season is much farther advanced.
Henry and Lally are already doing good
work in all the departments of the game,
and reliable Joe Sommer will also be
found lining them out in great shape as
soon as he gets his eye firmly set on the
ball. The inield is both weak and strong
Sid Farrar at first base is undoubtedly
one of the best basemen in the country
and will come pretty near leading the
league in that position this season. In
addition to being fine baseman, he is
an excellent hitter, good base runner
and one of the finest coachers and base
ball generals in the business. At second
base the club is undeniably weak and as
this fs one of the most important positions
in the team something must be done to
strengthen it at this point. Brosnan, who
has been signed to play second base is at
present very much of an unknown guam
tity and as he does not seem
inclined to give any one a
chance to judge of his abilities
bids fair to remain so; In the few games
in which he has taken part he has not
shown up surprisingly we'll, and unless he
shows up at once and puts up good
game in his position he will undoubtedly
be given the go-by and new man secured
| in his place. Wilson, who has been Gov.
ering the bag in his absence, has in the
main put up good quality of ball, but he
is catcher and much too heavy to play
the base as it shonld be played. Forster
at short stop is at present very weak in his
playing, but this is undoubtedly due to his
arm which is so lame that he can hardly
raise it without even attempting to throw
ball. He is, however, a most conscien-
tious player and with his arm in good
shape again will play the short field equal
to the best of them. At third base the
team has in Connie Doyle undoubtedly the
best third baseman in the association
Any ball that goes in his neighborhood
can safely be depended upon to be gather
ed in, while the ease and rapidly with
| which he secures ball and gets it over to
first are subjects of comment among the
spectators at every game in which he par
ticipates. "Connie" is also good base
runner and fair hitter, but it is thought
that he would be still stronger in the lat
ter department if he would bat right
handed, as he did last season, instead of
trying to use his bat with his left
hand. The pitching department is
weak, indisputably so, and muet be
ately. The club has but one pitcher,
Horner, upon whom any dependence can
be placed whatever. Horner is in excel
lent form and can be depended upon to
| do his share of the work but neither he
nor any other man can do it all. His mag
nifcent work in Fridays game against
Boston is but forerunner of what may
be expected of him during the season.
Gilliland has SO far proved a disappoint-
ment in his work in the box. He has
plenty of speed and several excellent
curves but seems to have absolutely no
control over them With the coming of
warm and settled weather, he will how
ever probably settle down and get once
more into his old time form. Condorf has
in him and will undoubtedly develope into
strong pitcher. At present he has not
| had sufficient to do to warrant any one in
criticising him. Arthur Clarkson, brother
| of the famous John Clarkson of Boston,
department. The crying need Of the club
now is another tried and experienced
pitcher to help Horner out while the other
| men are getting into condition. In Hof-
ford, Wilson and Mahoney the team
has three excellent catchers who can
DO depended upon to take care
OF tho receiving end of the bat
terry. in good shape, though each
| needs to improve in throwing to sec
ond base. Captain Cudworth, who has
been for some time past suffering with the
grip, is much improved and fast getting
around to his old form. He is a fielder
par excellence, good hitter, an excellent
coacher, and man who knows all the
points in the game and works them for all
they are worth. 1t is not as yet, so it is
stated, been definitely decided whether he
will go to Providence or remain here. The
chances, however, seem to favor his going
to Providence in accordance with his own
expressed desire to that effect
|. All are Welcome.
Mrs. A. G. Pote will give the first lesson
in tho course of physical training to the
teachers this evening, from Z to 9. ALI
are welcome.
A Typical American.
From the Kansas City Times.]