The times., 1899-03-29
THE SENATORS As
seen AT HAMPTON
A Washingtonian's Estimate
Of the Team.
Training the Players Down to a
System of Team Work.
i'm md HaSe-Run-
UneNceIIed in Batting and Base-Run-
ming Strength-St. Louis
Fans Enthused.

The spring practice of the Senators at
Hampton, Va, progresses favorably, and
under the rays of genial Southern sun
the players are fast rounding into playing
form. Manager Irwin is congratuiating
himself on having secured such an agree
able and balmy place as Hampton thus
far has proved to be, and is thoroughly
satisfied with the form shown by the play
ers. There is not glass arm or case
of charley horse in the entire aggrega-
ton. citizen of Washington, now at
Hampton, writes to The Times as fol-
lows:
Il have watched the work of the Wash
ington Club with considerable interest and
have no hesitation in saying that it is
the fastest crowd of bali tossers ever gath
cred together by Washington manager.
1t only remains for Irwin to get the boys
trained down to a thorough system of
team work, and Arthur is working hard
to accomplish this end l have every rea-
son to believe that he will succeed, for the
players show an interest in the work and
are painstaking in all details.
THE personnel of the team is excep-
tionally strong, and the habits of the men
are all good. The batting and base run
ming strength of the Senators, in my judg
ment, is not exceled in the League. There
are eight left-hand batters-Freeman,
OBrien, Slagle, Mercer, Casey, Dunkle,
Gettman, and Killen-and all these men,
as is well known, are hard hitters and are
fast on their feet. Mcclure, Farrell, Da-
Wis, Padden, and Latham are right-hand
batsmen and rank with the topnotchers.
with the experience and ability of Ar
thur Irwin to guide them, l predict that
the players will surprise the public and
the team will make a showing in the
League championship race that will prove
delight to the fans of the National Capt.
tai.
Since leaving the rubber Mercer has
made remarkable Improvement in both
batting and fielding. He is in superb
physical condition, and takes an interest
in the game that he never before exhibited.
He says he will master the third base posi-
tioD if it takes all summer
mo apprehension need be felt that EGlen
will not fill the bill at short field. In my
judgment he is the best shortstep that ever
donned a Washington uniform. His
fielding. batting, throwing. and base run
ming are of the highest order, and, in addi-
tion, he is quick thinker and takes ad
vantage of the fine points of the game.
When the Washington fans see Dick
pidy SECOND DdSe, no reSTclS Will
be felt for Rietz's absence. Padden is
chain lightning on double plays, and covers
beyond his limit in the right field. The
other players are enthusiastic over Dick S
work.
The first baseman, Harry Davis and
the outfielders, Slagle. O'Brien, Freeman,
and Gettman, are all showing up in form
that makes words of commentator IN
necessary.
IF the team is weak, it will be found in
the pitching department, but with strong
infield and outfield this may not prove a
serious handicap. No correct line can yet
be drawn on the twirlers, as they are not
yet indulging in hard work.
Il do not wish to be understood as say
ing or believing that the Senators Will
from the start jump in and win everything
in sight. The team is practically new
one. Many of the players have had little
or no experience in the major League, but
even in their present form the club that
wins a game from them will realize at the
close of the contest that it has been in a
very warm engagement"
The New York team is in bad shape.
The outfield and pitching department are
as yet incomplete. In catchers and infield-
ers the Giants are in first class shape but
| they cannot win many games with the
! two most important departments in such
! ragged condition. The existing state of
affairs has a tendency to dishearten the
| players now at Charleston. Anything but
| encouraging reports are received from
! South Carolina. McFarlan is in bad shape
and has been unable to leave his room
!. at the hotel since the day of the accident.
| And now comes another tale of woe.
Captain Jack" Doyle is having. trouble
with his leg, and can only hobble around
with the assistance of a cane. The pros
poets for a good team in the city of New
York the coming season are indeed
| gloomy but then the fans can journey
| across the bridge and see the crack Brook
lyn team, so 1t will be readily seen that
Gothamites will not much care how poor
| ly the once famous Giants" play ball, and
Freedman will be allowed to continue the
ruinous policy which, since the Holmes in
cident, appears to be a form of amusement
| in which the New York magnate takes
| great delight, and one which is slowly bu
surely killing interest in the game in the
great metropolis.
4 dispatch from Augusta Ga. state:
that Jones will play in centre field witt
the Brooklyns the coming season. Kelley
will remain in his former position at thI
left flank instead of being transferred into
Mike Griffns old camping ground Man
ager Ned Hanlon decided upon this change
in the arrangement of his outfield lat,
this afternoon. OF course Keeler will mo-
be disturbed in right pasture. Jones orig
inally played centre, and as the advent Of
Keeler in right made il necessary TO move
the former, the boss dodger has decided
that it would be the wisest move TO leav,
Kelley where he belongs and make a sand
wich of Jonesie. Hanlon did not fully de
eide until the former Brooklyn right field
er was given a trial in his new position
This was done during today's gambol
which resulted in Jones getting the job
Capt. Kelley and all the players are heart
lily in favor of the change. 1t is believed
that Jones will be just as fast in centr,
as he was in right field and that he viii
prove an able successor to eX-Captair
Griffin. Some brilliant team work prac
tice was commenced at the field this after
noon. Second base plays We're given tn.
most attention. Grim, DAILY, McGann, ant
Magoon and the pitchers practiced signal!
on catching base runners mapping for hal
an hour. The pitchers were incidental,
drilled to avoid violations of the new ball
rules
A special from St Louis says the fam
of the Mound City are in fever of en-
thusiasm over the final settlement of tn,
baseball muddle in such manner that th
local club will play winning ball, some
| thing that has not been seen here II
years. AS far as can be learned here
even should the League circuit be reduce,
| to ten clubs none of the old Browns viii
be brought into the new organization
Cross, Harley Dowd, Stencil, Quinn. an,
lI,.f,