Evening star., 1897-03-22
SENATORS LINED UP
First Regular Practice Of the Season
at National Park.
SWAIN AND ASHE APPEAR WELL
Charley Farrell and Al Maui Ex-
pected Today.
CURRENT SPORTING NOTES

With three pitchers. one catcher and the
entire in and out fields. with substitutes,
on hand. the Senators lined up this morn
ing at National Park for the first practice
of the season. under the guidance of Man
ager Schmeiz. Hitherto the little prac-
tice indulged in by the few players in the
city has been done at their own expense
ard will. Today the names of the players
go on the pay roll, and from this on what
the manager says must be obeyed.
With the exception of Johnny OBrien.
who was shy pair of base ball shoes,
the entire band was decked out in different
uniforms, Manager Schmelz getting in the
game in a complete outfit, sweater and all.
Charley Reilly had on a white suit left
over from his stay with the Phillies, and
over all heavy red sweater, which his
active work at the third corner made him
quickly shake. De Montreville, copying
after the immortal Washington, who be-
lieved in being first in war first in peace
and first in the hearts of his countrymen,
was the first boy to scamper on the dia-
n'ond. having a race for the honor with
Zeke Wrigley.
The latter player covered second during
the practice. and appears to be in the
finest of fettle. his fielding being clean cut
and quick. while his swings at the bat had
the air of confidence that gives great
promise of good work with the stick the
coming season.
Mcguire and Brown walked around the
grounds with the air CT men who had been
tfere, oh. so many times, and refused to
display the coltish antics of the younger
players. Both these men are in prime
condition. and could go into a game to-
morrow with little Inconvenience
Selbach, Lush and Abbey entered into the
sport with a relishable spirit and chased
nd hn lyaI tha
ball with a hearty good will. Abbey is
down to fighting weight, if anything al
n ost too light, but the other two are Just
right. Cartwright was on first and his ap-
pearance and playing reminded one of the
middle of the season. with the exception of
his weight. Mercer is also down to the
finest possible condition, having for the
last six weeks INDUCED in gymnasium prac-
tice. and used his arm quite regularly on a
certain kind of delivery that he has been
anxious to perfect himself in. While in the
box. Win fooled several of his companions
with his new delivery as cleverly as he did
the opposing clubs last season: in fact
the general opinion of all the players is
that this slow ball is almost unhitable
Ashe and Swain, the New Men.
Then the new man Swain. MERGERS find,
after exercising with MCGUIRE went into
the box. and. although taking it easy un-
der the constant advice of Manager
Schmelz. managed to give quite an exhibi-
ton. which enabled the onlookers to get a
line on him. Everybody agreed that with
proper coaching he should make a good
one. He will never be required to learn
how to pitch down shoot. as all he has to
90 Is TO throw straight ball down over
the plate from his shoulder as he stands
fuil two feet above the batters, counting
the rise in the ground at the pitchers posi-
ton. If Cy. Young has not seen this young
man he has treat in store for himself as
Swain is dead ringer for the big Cleve-
land pitcher, even down to the face. At the
bat Swain handled himself very nicely
Charley Farreirs find, Pitcher Ashe was
also greatly in evidence, especially with the
bat, as his work in the box denoted the
natural Yankee shrewdness of taking care
of himself and not running a good arm with
overwork. Every ball Ashe hit was f,cm
the shoulder and went to the outfed like a
Hash. Every one of the players agreed with
Manager SchmelZ in the opinion that both
Swain and AShe gave splendid Indications
of being capable men, and with proper de-
velofment should prove prizes for the club
Instead of waiting for 10 clock the hour
named for the practice to begin, half a
dozen OF the players were at the grounds
as early as O'Clock, and We're on the field
half an hour later. Nothwithst taniing this
early hour. full hundred men and Toys
We're clinging to the out fences and sur
rounding buildings waiting for the boys to
begin work. and seemed to enjoy themselves
fully as much looking at the practice as
though regular match vas i'll progress
The ground is little soggy yet but to-
days sun should put it in tip-top shape for
playing. In center field a little marshy
spot was discovered, and Groundkeeper
Miller set himself to work Immediately to
wipe II out with new ground. The general
outside public will not be admitted 10 these
prac tice games. Messrs. Wagner and
SchmelZ are afraid numerous assemblage
would have the tendency to make the boys
let themselves out and thereby seriously
1nJure a good throwing arm.
This afternoon the members of the club
are again at work, and the same practice
of batting at pitched balls is being gone
through with. This routine will be kept up
for several days. and after all the rust has
been worn off team work will begin.
Charley Farrell and Al. Maui are expect
ed in today, and should they put in an ap-
pearance in the city both will join the
crowd at National Park tomorrow morn
ing and work with them until the opening
of the season. Letters from both Farrell
and Maui say that they are in fine health
and condition, and that it will take little
work to get them ready for the fray
Sizing up the men on hand, from this
mornings practice. from conservative
point of view, the conclusion is reached
that one of the fastest fielding teams that
has represented this city for several years
has been gathered together and should
several of the men who were off IN batting
last year hit up to their past records, it
will be hard guess to locate the team al
the end of the season. 1t Is almost dead
certainty that they will do better this sea-
son than last.
AUSTRALIAN BALL PLAYERS.
They VIII Make u Tour of the United