Evening star., 1899-03-25
WITH THE SENATORS
/ Fortunate Choice in Selecting
Hampton for Practice.
CLUB WELL LODGED and FED
All the Men Are in Excellent Con-
dition.
PRACTICE GAME YESTERDAY
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
HAMPTON. Va, March "a 1899.
Arthur Irwin made peculiarly fortunate
location, when he selected this spot for the
spring training of the Senators. The
grounds spacious and beautifully sod
ded, while the personal accommodations are
excellent. The club room is heated by
steam and provided with twelve / ath rooms,
modern in their appointments. with hot and
cold water; advantages not obtained any
where excepting at Hot Springs. Ark. The
boys have comfortable sleeping rooms, and
their daily fare is substantial and COM
Portable. Pastry and desserts are strictly
tabooed by Manager Irwin, which has oc-
casioned mild protest from some of the
Senatorial pie biters.
All the men of the team are in excellent
condition. Hulen and Casey are back in the
game. O'Brien, who injured his leg in prac-
tice, is convalescent, but will not engage in
active work for a few days.
Governor Woodt1n of the Soldiers Home.
VINO Is a base ball enthusiast of the super
lative degree, takes q personal interest in
the comfort and success of the team. He
considers the boys his personal guests, and
nothing is too good for them. He is an
admirable eXecutive-popu1ar with civilians
as well as with the soldiers. He has been
in command here about twenty five years.
After the usual O'Clock breakfast the
day and went to the practice grounds for
their mornings work, the first number on
the program being batting to the outfield
and bunting. The morning was an ideal
one; the early morning air was little cr4Sp,
but bright sunshine made it easily pos
sible to accomplish a much desired per
spiration.
The men bat like fiends and run bases
like a deer There is not weak hitter
on the team outside Of the pitchers. Free
man, Slagle. Mercer Davis. Mcclure, Gett-
man. Hulen and Padden are in class by
themselves. while Farrell, the old reliable
emergency is as good as he ever was. and
that is good enough. Casey and Latham
are away above the average at the stick,
and are always reliable. Irwin has been
giving special attention to Gettman's bat
ting. and the Improvement the youngster
has made is phenomenal. Instead of knock
ing up pop flies he drives them to left CEN
ter for three bases
Mercer's Work at Third.
AS for Mercer, he is simply the surprise
of the season. The opinion of all the boys
on the team is that he will prove of
the strongest third basemen in the league
His throwing to bases is simply superb,
while his fielding is above the average. He
says that he never felt as well in his life
he does this spring, and his looks and
actions indicate 1t. The few perfunctory
games which he played at third last season
from which Washington fans have made
up an opinion of his ability formed no cri-
teriou of his skill He will give the Wash
ington public a delightful surprise The
improvement in his batting since he has
left the pitchers box will be additional
cause for congratulation. He will be bet
ter three weeks from today than he is now.
Arlie Latham. who is good judge of a
ball player as any man in the country, says
that Mercer has solved the third base prob
lem.
-, lin Mcclure, "Old Reliable" is in the
best of condition and is giving the kids
object lessons in knocking the ball against
the far-away fences in his old-time and
tnimftabie way.
The Pitchers.
The pitching staff is fast rounding into
shape, and Irwin seems perfectly satisfied
with the outlook in that direction. There
are no glass arms in that outfit. Upon the
other hand. it is difficult to restrain them
from too violent exercise. Irwin has great
faith In Dunkle, and says he has as much
speed as Rusie.
AS for Huien he seems the finished artist
Although weak from his recent illness. his
play this morning and afternoon was gilt
edged. He is timely and hard hitter and
plays the bases with rare good Judgment.
Little Slagle is making good the many
complimentary things that have been said
about him. He is a patient waiter at the
bat and carefully husbands his hits. When
one comes to his liking he is liable to knock
1t out of the lot.
Yesterday's Game.
This afternoons game was pleasing and
satisfactory practice, the features being the
hard hitting of the regulars. About twen-
ty-five hundred old soldiers who We're pres
ent were kept in state Of exuberant hi
larity by the bon mots of Arlie Latham
who Is the ginger factory for the team and
can furnish enough of that desired COM
D1odify n he
game. Latham is one of the most remark
able characters today in base ball. He can
hit, field and run bases as we'll as he ever
did, and his rare headwork is always a tell
ing feature. In short, he is a valuable man
to d team.
The lineup this afternoon was:
Regulars-Hulen. S.; Mercer. 3D.: Gett-
man, If; Slagle. CT: Freeman, rf; View
IanigansELathau. ss.; O'Brien. 1b Tay-
lcr. 2b. Mcclure. 3D.; Farrell. c. Dunkie,
p; Dfneen. cf.; Baker rf.: Killen C. and IT,
The score was: Regulars, II runs 81 hits
no errors; Yanigans, runs 10 hits 3 err
r1rs.
OF the Regulars, Hulen made 5 hits: Mer-
Ger. B. Gettman. 3; Sfagle 8; Casey. ..
Neyhing. /: Davis. 3; Padden l. Yanieans'
Latham, 2: Taylor =: Farrell. / (3-bagger):
turner =: Dineen, 2: Baker, 1: Killen 2
Frank Killen is hitting the bah hard and
often. but the hits do not always go safe.
He Is rounding to in great shape and Is
gong to be one of the star slab artists
Gov. Woodffn has invited all hands to at
tend the theater tonight
LIVELY MEETING