The Washington herald., 1907-05-19

Reflection upon the showing made by
the Nationals thus far strengthens the
conviction that the greatest weakness in
any individual position is at first base.
Now that Jake Stahl has been disposed
OF. and much of the prejudice against his
management has died out, intelligent
critics are willing to admit that the play
ing of the former manager would do much
TO strengthen the club at the present time.
While miserably weak with the bat last
season. Stahl was a star in fielding his
position. and his presence in the lineup
now would do much 70 end the unsteadi-
ness of the infeld, and would bolster up
the fielding Of the whole team.
However. Stahl is out Of the question.
and Cantillon fully realizes that every eff
fort must be made TO find a first baseman
who can cover the bag acceptably An
deTson was given a fair try-0ut, but he
would not do. While he is sure catch
on balls thrown direct into his glove he
Is not active enough 90 gather in throws
that are wild. and is not fast enough
thinker 20 make the most Of sudden situa-
tions. such as deciding between going
after a hit toward his territory or cover
ing the bag. The big fellow is a fairly
good outhelder and a good hitter and
Cantllon has evidently decided 10 send
him back to the left garden for the re-
mainder Of the season. and look elsewhere
for first baseman
During the early preliminary season
Hickman showed up well at first. but the
unfortunate injury which ne suffered I'm "a
practice game put him out ri the run
ming. and he is just beginning to round
into perfect physical form Hickman is
slugser Of the first rank. and ne is just
as liable 20 break up game as any man
on the club but whether he Will be able
20 fiji the gap at first base remains to De.
seen. Hickman knows more than any
other member Of the team about the finer
points OF the work on the initial bag. but
his slowness and liability To- another in
jury to bis weak knee makes him rather
uncertain proposition. although there are
any number of fans who want To see
Cheerful i'm the game though he be used in
the 0utfald
'saNF AttfAs
The case of Mike Kelley seems as unde-
cided as it was several months ago. but
Canriilon still has hopes of getting the
veteran Strengthened out in the eyes of
the national commission. as he thinks that
Kelley is just the man to solve the ques-
tion Of "a reliable first baseman for the
Nationals Although all the preHminaries
cf "a deal by which Canullon is To get
Kelley from the s. Louis club have been
satisfactorily adjusted, Ban johnson has
decided that the player is not eligible TO
play with Washington When il comes
10 running the American League. Presi-
dent Johnson is pretty near the whole
show. and unless inc decides 10 change his
mind on the subject. there seems 20 be no
immediate prospects of Kelley getting into
the Nationals batting order
Pe-rHe's failure 90 hold down the posi-
ticr ut shoTtstop was due I'm a great
measure TO the weakness at first base
Although the st0cBy little player was
able 90 gobb.e up almost anything that
he could get his hands on. he hesitated
and steadied himself before throwing.
with the result that "a number Of infeId
Its, particularly those TO deep short
were being beaten out This cost Wash
lngtou several games. and finally resulted
ln the ftlesation NJ Perrine % the bench.
PerTiue was not decided success at the
bat. his average being only a. few points
above 200, but D.. had plenty Of speed
and might have retained his position had
his fielding satisfied Sir Joseph
Altiker an Improvement.
Although Alt.zer has been making any
number Of errors since he returned 10 his
Old position, he seems to have strength
ened shortstop. and the change. so far as
the former outlaw is concerned. will prob
ably be permanent
The situation az second base is still I'm
settled. and has developed into a fight
for the place between Capt SchIaay. Nil.
and Perrine. Schlafy has suffered a de-
cided slump this season. and his woes
have been increased by the unmerciful
roasting at the hands Of the home bleach
critics. He has been unfortunate i'm fall
ing down on chances at critical moments.
and although De is one of the most
earnest and hard working players on the
team. CantiIOn has decided that a rest is
the only hope of bringing the PLAYER
around. and efforts from now on will be
made To get George Mil o. fiji the place
left vacant by the absent field leader
Nil is a little slow but ne is a pretty
sure fielder. and has been doing some tall
hitting since the team went West.
Although He got a rather poor start. the
h
couple OF weeks has marked him as prob
ably the most natural and valuable
player that Washington has landed since
last year He has a tendency TO throw
wild in returning the ball 10 the plate.
but he is a fast fielder, n good waiter,
ana is developing into one Of the most
timely hitters on the team Pittsbur-
scubes who have been following his work
have commenced 10 scream because Gan
ley was let out by the Pirates. but it IS
doubtful If the PLAYER would ever have
been a success in Smoketown as he needs
manager who knows how 20 handle
him. and Joe CanuIlon seems TO be the
man.
The Nationals play in Cleveland unti
Wednesday; Thursday. Friday. and sat
urday they viii be i'm Detroit. on the
18th the team viii return % National
Park for a siege until June q. during
which time all Of the Western teams will
been seen on the local field
HOlmead NIanors Beaten.
The Southern Railway Reserves de-
fcated the Holmead Manor team in
well-contested game az the Monument
Lot yesterday. by TO g. The feature
OF the game was the pitching Of Hamp-
ton. for the Reserves. and Dyer. for the
Nannr tnam Tho RAsarvas ,,.ar,A r-.......