Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
OF Interest.


OF Interest.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, March
Special 1.-The past week with the
Varsity baseball team has been devoted
almost entirely 10 the coaching OF the
several players in their respective po-
81 ons. while. az the same time. much at
terUon has been given by Coach Coogan
towards improving the men IN their bat
SINS. lie expressed the opinion to-day
na, the men had been improving right
along, aud that he had high hopes OF pro-
.ccng q winning club for Virginia lie
ai: "rhe Improvement OF the catcheys
Isl marked for they are now able to
throw with ease TO second. while earlier
SOD the practice season much difficulty
seemed TO lie ia filling this position suit
ably. The inneld. although composed Of
small men. is as lvely as / have ever
seen I'm a college. showing nice fielding,
and exhibiting much snap and ginger
the men seeming TO realize the necessity
OF putting forth their best efforts al an
times"
When asked whether ne considered the
chances OF the club equal with those or
the leading northern colleges. he an
swcrcd. omphatically, eyes. Our pitch
crs are as good as those OF any college
team. and at present only lack perfect
control, which. however. viii come with
steady practice. which is required 10 get
their arms in shape"
The number OF men that compose the
team and substitutes this year numbers
thirteen. besides the captain. 1t is one
of the best fielding teams that Virginia
las ever had. and, I'm fact. our visitors
from the North such as Yace, Princeton,
cornell. Harvard. Pennsylvania. and
Georgetown, will find that the team is
pretty strong in every way. AS soon
as Collier was induced 10 become re-
eular applicant for the team, much more
confidence was felt by the captain as TO
bis chances OF producing a team 20 cope
with the northern colleges.
GOOD SET OF TWIRLERS.
The pitchers are now four in number,
md are as good a set Of twirlers as Nir-
ginia could desire. Collier has made
reputation as being one Of the best anna
teur pitchers in the country, having play
"a on the team of the University OF
North Carolina FOR the past few
years. Mellor distinguished himself at
Brown University last year, and was
spoken Of as the freshman wonder" by
HE Boston Globe in describing the
Brown-Dartmouth game; while mention
was also made OF the good showing he
made against Harvard, allowing them
only one hit after he had entered the
game, in the fifth inning. He throws
speedy ball. and is capable Of produc-
iug many curves
O'Brlen. who formerly played substitute
fader. several years ago. on the Varsity,
has returned to college, I'm order TO
complete his course for his degree. having
only one ticket 10 make. He promises
now 10 make a good pitcher, and is un-
dergoing regular coaching every after
noon.
White. the fourth man, who has been
retained 10 assist IN manipulating the
sphere. has good speed, and is expected
10 show up well during the season. all
though IL IS his first year asa pitcher on
"a college club.
THE CATCHERS.
The catchers. It was feared. would be
q weak point but Huger and McNair are
showing themselves TO be the men we
needed. and are both very quick in throw
ing 10 second base. invariably cut
ting the runner off before he has reach
Cd n point anywhere IN the neighborhood
az the bag that IS so well covered by
Male, who formerly played at the Epls-
copaf High School.
Captain Bonney is doing all he can TO
have his men I'm good shape TO take VIC
tory from our Carolina friends at chapel
HW on the 9th of this month. While It
a. rather early for a Varsity contest
nevertheless. Virginia wiz no doubt be
equal to the occasion. Bonney is playing
lie old rosition. I'm left field, and is COW
eripg the ground I'm his former, quick
manner. AS some one on q visiting team
ramarked last season, The mad as
soon knock a ball into the middle OF the
ocean as 10 send It anywhere near Bon
ney's territory"
EQUALLY WELL COVERED.
However. the other two fields are
equally well covered, by Steptoe. an ola
High school, player, and by Martin an
old Pantops boy, who also dlsungulsheu
himself as an end rush on the VIC
torious football team Of last fall.
Archie Hoxton. who played shortstop
last session. has been paced az third
This wear. and O'Keefe. who formerly
,laved ~ 81. Adams School, holds the
rositiop AT short The latter is playing
good fast game, and, with Male
makes pretty strong combination
around the territory Of second base ana
enOrfetOu HONtOut OF tnHi9tf - wv
same good player that impressed the
Boston League players so favorably last
spring during their practice here. HIS
wonderful way of stopping grounders
ana Of sailing the ball across the dia-
monI 90 first. with one and the same
motion attracts every ones attention
and generally demands the cry of 'Yoa
are outr from the umpire. The Bos-
ton team said Of him that "they doubted
if Die had mis- equal on any college team
g. the country; and his playing Is sure
ly The equal OF his reputation.
Manager Trinkle has received the
thanks OF the college for the extensive
schedule that he has arranged for the
home grounds. All the leading colleges
viii meet us here at some time during
the season. while the Varsity also en-
braces most OF them on its northern trip
iu May.
Three games have been scheduled with
our rival the University Of North Caro-
Ina.-one at Chapel HEl one in Danvilie'
and one here, on the University AthietIc
Field