Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-25
ATHLETICS SHOW UP WE'LL
Cantnfn sharsig's Boys Are Hitters-
The batteries Good.

The batteries Good.
PHILADELPHIA, PA. April 2.-(spe-
cial)-A few words suffice to Indicate
the condition Of the Athletic team at
the beginning Of what promises TO be
prosperous season: "Good felders, sure
hitters. but poor in teamwork" Those
three facts have been clearly demon
strated IN the spring practice games
and "a good team work cannot De ue-
veloped until after Captain Moran drils
his men for a few weeks, in regular
games. on his signal system the INST
two points serve 10 satisfy the eng ne
IF Manager Sharslg's pets that inc
locals will stand I'm the first bunch TINS
season. If they miss the pennant.
L. ia tr1ie that in some Of the pre-
Iininarv games the Athletics showing
vas rather inferior. but their lively ana
anhifious endeayOrs I'm several suDse-
c,ert contests outpoint this by far. AS
r~o,ire, This. the Philadelphia-Athlet
~onc of Saturday Is abundant. Against
The strongest Philadelphia team III years.
the Athletics put up a rafting oppo9i
tion for ten innings. and an lhtenueu
.lirnboring-up" contest developed mo a
red-hot affair, with q thIAhHs I", ~,
Tben the defeat of Scranton anu ~
ro,to and the narrow escape or WASH
ington add strength 10 the locals claims
ae frst-class team Of workers.
r,he article of ball furnished by Snar-
s,e'a ortaeld IS A No. /; the batteries
are better than expected, ana the only
',-oou snots are in the inheld. Here
,horc are two new men-Hamburg urst-
base). and Rafter (shortstop)-the FORMER
from Iancaster's 1896 team ana tne
latter from Troy and the pennsylvania
League. They have good halei,al III
nm hut II is TOO slow in developing
tIl,.1,,er both are such heavy batters
~ any manager would hesitate To
e,'@,oe them thus early. RATE is agile,
b,,t In his ambition. loses his head; while
tfo,oburg seems afflicted with that tired
feeling while at the bag
,rho only other new players are Il.
schaub. third -baseman, whose work IN
The West attracted attention, ana VINO
~ proving q valuable "ind, ON account
of bis gingerly movements and accurate
.brovviuQ. together with brilliant SUCK
,,,or,r ond Berry spritely catcher, from
the Peoria club. The adaltions 70 "a, 1iae
'a,ot,tne, etafg are Jordan. Hazleton lad,
Rl,.,.,, nuzzling slow ball, and Garvin,
-, ,u-lrler c foot inches, with q
terrific high curve.
AZ The other members OF the team are
,,,ia,yars pitcher Ames's work shows
- decided Improvement over his Virginia
League record. and Cain and Conn, the
latter a Philadelphia High-School young
Ter of promise, will hold thelr own
-, facing the sluggers. Second-Base-
Nm Childs Is not only quick and OBJ
mani NJ but covers a wide territory. and
hats well. Catchers +. Schaub Fox. and
perry are backstops Of l-'round ability.
Fox is notably 90. .,.,.,
In the outfeld the Athletics have n
,,,,is,ark OF stone In captain Moran who
- a nrrfect lefthelder and safe batsman;
McVey. at centre, who catches easily.
-, a vengeance. and Lever. at right,
Who toes both fielding and batting marks.
lie ..eats up" many hits"
Now. concerning the teamwork there
a. room for great Improvement, and with
,ha onening games OF next week at
newark this Improvement will appear.
doubtless.
The Athletics. when at bomA viii niA~