The Washington times., 1906-05-25

ANNAPOLIS. May 25.-To win the
baseball game with the Army at An
napolis tomorrow, the Navy Will have to
break the hoodoo which has during the
whole series of baseball games between
the two prevented the home team from
winning a game. but there is great con-
fdence at the Academy that this sea-
sons team can do the trick.
The Navy team is composed Of veter-
ans and has played excellent ball this
season on the whole. They started of
brilliantly. had a mid-season slump. but
for the last two weeks apparently have
struck a winning streak again and the
last four games have been all that could
be desired.
Navy Won Last Year.
There have been four contests between
the mines OF the two institutions. and. as
mentioned. the visiting team has always
lost. The scores OF the previous con-
tests were:
19Ol-At Annapolis, Navy, 8; Army 4
19Oe-At West Point. Navy. 4; Army. s.
1904-At Annapolis, Navy, 2; Army, s.
1905-At West Point, Navy. 8; Army, 8
No game was played in 1903.
Needham Crack Pitcher.
The Navy has a well balanced team
this season, reasonably strong in every
department, and It has been well
coached. doc" White, the pitcher Of
the Chicago Club. OF ne American
league, has been with the AIidshipmen
- ost Of the season, but was recalled at
the beginning of last week. Since then
the Navy boys have had the capable
services Of Wnbert Robinson, the catcher
OF the champion Baltimores OF National
League days.
In the pitching department the Navy
has twirler in Needham who compares
favorably with the best OF the cOllegian
pitchers. His speed IS not above the ex-
traordlnary. but he has all the good
curves and his control is his particularly
strong point He fields his position per-
tectly and was never known 70 go into
:he air. Van Auken has developed into
an excellent substitute slab artist. He
has not been used as much as Needham
this year. but in the latter games has
done equally as well.
Catcher Fairly Good.
Hambsch. catcher. is new on the acad-
emy team. but has done good work be-
fore entering He has caught only part
Of the season. taking the place when
Symington was moved 70 first. He holds
the ball well and throws 10 bases fairly.
He is not a very heady player.
SymingtOn, at first. IS one OF the
Nays best both as a fielder and batter
! His experience at catch has enabled him
II handle pick-ups and he often saves
the other i1feIjers on their bad throws.
Bacon. at second. handles the usual line
I of work al his corner IN good style
However. he does not get the hard ones
well and is woefully weak with the stick
In Lombard, at third, the Navy has the
find Of the season in fielding. but his
batting has not been strong.
Shortstop a Treasure.
In little Gill. at shortstop. Navy has
= treasure. He is a quiet little fellow
who plays ball all the time. He makes
some errors. but then he goes for every
thing and he is such fine little fellow
IN pinch, sure 10 do his best work just
wien 1t is most important. This applies
as we'll 10 his work at the bat. He
heads the batting order, is a good waiter
and can hit them out when 1t is up to
him.
Goldthwaite. in left field. shares with
Cal the honor of being the most useful
players on the nine. He is a tank for
flies, his record being almost errorless,