The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-24
HIGH PRAISE FOR sHArrER.

Had s;lraffer received fair itreatmen,
from his own'oillcial scorer. last year he
would ,ihave led the league In fitting.
;The principal work Of the Houston
scorer'Was 10 boost un Slagle'sa batting
average, so tho club could sellihiIn and
AT the same time pull down Shnffer's
figures. He and Shaffer were NOT on
speakingterms all last season, but rs ht,
WIS a stakeholder lie kept his job This
treatment OF Shaffer / know 10 lie 4
fact, and every other man in the club
protested against ii.
My honest opinion Of Shaffer is that
don'd think there is better ball PLAYER
IN the country to-day. He runs like a
deer; he doesn't seem to have a weak
ness at the bat. and can bunt or slug out
successfully. He plays first and the out
field equally we'll and lie is full of ginger
and life. His coaching is unapproacha-
Bile for wit and effectiveness He was q
drawing card in this league, and people
used to go out to guy and jolly him, as
much as to see the game. What like
about Shaffer is that he has brains and
plays the game for all there Is in it,
lie Is constantly working new schemes
and always keeps his opponents guess
ing. Keep ShaLffer on first and mako
him field captain and don't Interfere
with his team handling and you will win
| the pennant.
HE Is the past master in the art Of
WORKING the hit-and-run style of play,
and he IS the best minor league field
captain to-day. The fact OF the matter
1s that Shatfer has no business being
| outside THE National League to-day.
This eulogy OH Shaffer may he pretty
strong. but any player who has worked
With him Will bear me out in It, I have
| been On two leagues with Shaffer and
Western Association OF ,'9i also, and
know whereof i speak. You must admit
| THAT called a. turn on Ollie Pickering
nll right. Well Shaffer is just twice as
good. and he won't be playing with you
two months before the big clubs will be
alter You for his release.
TLEYDON AND NYE.
| 'tHeydon and Nye are all that the
averages claim for them. Both are fine
hitters and splendid backstops, with
great whips" Mack will be showing
up all OF the would-be sprinters. He is
fast on his feet. but has much to learn
about base-running-his only fault
Nye is an excellent utility man and a
| heady player. You can use him almost
anywhere. Play him every day in the
outtield when he is not catching. Hey
don's home place is behind the bat I
1dont think he has had experience any
| where else. He is only a boy. about Il
or %. and weighs around $50 or 1855.
Last year was his first season out Shat
fer is about 10 and Nyc about 175. Nye
| Is the talieSt, abont 5 feet II inches;
| Fleydon about feet S inohes; Shaffer.
8 feet 10 inches. All three men are easy
| to handle. Shaffer Is like a big school
boy on or off the field and will be the
life of The crowd"
TIE NEW UNIFORMS.
| Supplies for the team have already
arrived including nine dozen fine bats
and the new uniforms. The latter arc
handsome and catchy, being silver gray.
| with dark blue trimmings, square can,
| with blue stripes, blue belt and stock .
ingS and a Norfolk jacket, instead of
sweater: There will be no more multi
colored teams on the field. as last year.
| and, the men are going to show up srea I.
| Harry Norris has put the grounds IN
splendid shape and everything will be
In readiness by the time the season
opens up. 1t Is possible that the pian
| 0t putting O wire netting in front of
the .fbleaohers may be abandoned. The
other improvements will all be carried
| out.
| NOTES OF TIIE DIAMOND.
| Lynchburg is roofing for Norfolk this
year against Richmond and the rest of
the world
Shortstop Leafy will be here Friday.
| and, with Wentz and Shaffer, will 60
up to Washington Saturday night.
Manager Smith says he has a sec
| ond Tannehill in Newton and predicts
great things of Pfanmiller
The schedule for this season has been
/ a Il T,ao al 49,