The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-24

The members of the Louisville baseball
team are at West Baden Springs. near
Louisville, Ky, where they viii spend a
week devoted TO light exercise, but more
particularly to drinking the water of the
springs. Upon returning to the home
grounds active practice will begin, every
pleasant day being utilized except be-
tween April 3 and g. which period will be
devoted to exhibition games with the
Milwaukee and indianapolis teams.
There are twenty-four men in the team
this year, six of whom are to be released.
Five pitchers and two catchers will be
retained. Dexter is an infield possibility
if Clingman does not hit hard enough
while Wagner may also be brought to the
infield If Smith falls down Carey is sure
of first and Ritchey of short. Clarke and
Hoy are also outiield fixtures. The right
field aspirants are billiard, Stafford
Nance, Wagner and Josh Clarke. the lat
ter a yOungster brother of the manager
who says he takes his hat off to him as
a player.
All the players have signed save New
ton, Mahaffy and Fuller All want al
most the league limit of salary Fuller
probably will come around all right
Nearly all the men appear 10 be in good
shape, and few are over weight Some
of them have been on the ground several
weeks, while many others have kept up
indoor training all Winter
Reports from Allaire, n. J., where the
Brooklyns are being boiled out, are also
very promising. The appearance of Hall
man and Tucker has inspired fresh en-
ergy in the men, and they throw and bat
the ball as though the season was half
advanced Ed Stein, who did very little
work last season, because he was not in
condition, has surprised his eliminates
since their arrival at the New Jersey re-
sort. The secret of STEMS good work so
early in the season lies in the fact that
he has trained indoors during the Winter
months. Stein and the recent manage
ment were not on friendly terms, and he
was not allowed to work during the latter
part of last season. President Ebbets
however, is still of the opinion that Stein
is capable Of pitching a good game, and
viii give the Brooklyn man every oppor-
tunity to show his ability.
The question as to who will play regu-
larly at short stop is still undecided.
There are three men now trying for that
position, including George Smith who
played 50 poorly last year; Sheckard and
Yueger. Unless Smith shows up well in
practice he VIII be deposed. Tom Tucker
will play first base and Hallman will be
stationed at second Shindle, being the
only available third baseman, will remain
at that position. The outfieId will com
prise Anderson in left, Griffin in center
and Jones In right.
At Lakewood Manager Joyce has had
the men out for practice twice a day, and
is much pleased with their condition.
They are pretty well limbered up, and
go about their work cheerfully. The new
pitchers, SDerlcin and Burns, are being
critically watched Up to the present time
Sperlein has made the best impression
with the Giants manager He has an easy
and graceful delivery, and has plenty Of
speed. Burns has also shown himself TO
be a good pitcher, and If they develop into
good men the New Yorks' pitching de-
partment viii be invincible.
Rusie, Meekin, Doheny and Seymour are
all tried men, and from the manner in
which they began work at Lakewood it
seems as though they were not idle dur
ing the Winter months. Doheny, who did
very little work last year owing to i'll
ness, promises to accomplish great things
this season, and Seymour, who would
rather play bail than eat has shown a
wonderful Improvement since last year.
The Albany lad admits that he became
demoralized at times last year, but that
he has all his nerve with him this year
and VIII keep some of the hard hitters
guessing. Hartman who was secured 10
strengthen the team where ii was paIpa-
bly, weak last year, has shown wonderful
form since he arrived at Lakewood He
has shown UP particularly well in bat
ting, and if Joyce will develop into a good