The times., 1898-04-25

Notwithstanding the fact that the in
field Of the Washington team is an i'm
Trovised one the club has been playing
Il pretty fair game Of ball. having taken
two games from the heavy-hitting
Brooklyn boys"
Jack" Doyle is playing a star game
at second base. despite the handicap
change Of position always imposes on a
player. Doyle is a king at the initial
sack. and his enforced playing at second
weskens that position, although Duke"
Farrell is playing the position up TO the
general average.
The iIIness Of Wagner, who is to play
third base, and the absence Of Reitz and
.AIcHale. who by the way. are expected
Al any moment, has seriously retarded
the efficiency Of the team. With these
men in their respective positions. the ex-
peCtatiOns Of Mr.. Wagner and the loyal
"fans" win doubtless be realized
The pitching staff is showing up in ex-
cellent form, and is justifying the judg
ment Of Manager Brown.
Gus Weyhing has taken a new lease
on life. and is today in as good condition
and as effective as al any time during
earnest and willing worker. thoroughly
conversant with ali the technicalities
and fine points Of the game. With a puz-
zIing assortment Of SLOW, speedy and
curved balls. and withal splendid control
Of the sphere. there is no apprehension
felt Of his effectiveness this season.
Amole the southpaw twirler, is fast
growing into popular favor and gives
promise Of developing into one Of the
stars OF the profession. He is q terror
10 the sack pilferers. and the way in
which he catches them mapping" at first
IS always delightful feature Of the game
in which he oficiates.
Mcclure and Farrell have been closely
watching the work of young Donovan,
and while they seldom grow enthusiastic
over the prospective skill Of new pitch
er, both unhesitatingly say that he
gives unmistakable promise Of develop
ing into the peer Of any Of the ''phenoms'
Of the present day. He is large. robust,
athletic and cool and deliberate in judg-
ment. lie possesses the speed Of a Rusie,
and after the necessary seasoning and an
acquired knowledge OF the peculiarities
of the hard-hItting batters Of the league
the Old-tmers predict that he viii be one
of the monarchs Of the rubber" He is
"A
On account Of an accident which hap
pened during the early practice season
Nahaffey has not been able 20 demon
strate his thorough ability as q box art
3st, yet the players are Of the opinion
that he viii be able TO hold his own in
fast company.
Mercer is I'm splendid condition and viii
Doubtless maintain the high standard Of
excellence which he has so justly reached
Little need be said Of the outfeld.
Al Selbach the German ambassador
has proved himself the peer Of any left
fielder on The diamond today. He is
heavy hitter. and is well up on all the
tricks Of the great national game.
The feet-footed Gettman. the pride Of
the bleachers and the favorite Of the
fans. Is as yet only junior in the pro-
fessioH. When he has served his appreu-
ticeshiD be will doubtless graduate at the
head Of his class. Even now he is a fin
ishcd artist.
u McIIale pans cut IN the form pre-
dicted by q large number Of competent
judges the outfeld viii simply be "A
brick wall He viii play the position
permanently. and Tom Brown viii man
Hge the team from the bench.
Leahy. the clever young utility man,
who Is al present playing third base, win
necessarily be kept there unless Wagner
develops abilities superior TO those pos
sessed by Tommy The third base IS one
Of the hardest positions IN the infeld, and
even an all-ar0Und bail player must have
experience 10 become a star at taat bag.
While the club has been slow getting
into perfect team form, enough has been
seen 10 justify the opinion that they are
destined 20 occupy prominent position
in the first division. The club is stronger
in the pitching and batting departments
than ever before, and Is regarded 10y the
other league teams as a formidable ag-
gregation.
Fred PfeneF's paper on umpiring is
among the interesting current contribu-
tions 10 the literature OF the game. He
SAYS: ION the common play a first base
the base umpire should get on a line with
the throw. BY taking his position he oc-
cupies the same relation 10 the game as
the judge on a race course, who stands
directly over the wire. and who is the
emily person on the ground who is able