Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-23
H|GHLANDERS A
HARD PROBLEM
StaIIings Must Build Up a
Strong InfieId to Make
a Winner.

NEW YORK January 2.-When George
T. Stallings returns to New York from
his home in the south, where he has been
very busy because of some business de-
velopments which were unlocked for when
he departed to cotton land, 1t is expected
that he will give a little hint as to the
probable personnel of the regular team at
American League Park next summer.
Anybody who knows the players who
are on the contract list Of the Highlanders
NAV sit down and guess-and keep on
guessing-as to the identity of the men
who will fill the various positions. There
is a lot of fun in guessing, but precious
little comfort to it when the team, as it
has been guessed, is wrong from top to
bottom.
About all that is known is that Chase
will play first base when the national
commission is finished with his case; that
Kleinow will be behind the bat. and that
Manning is sure to be one pitcher and
Joe Lake another. OF course, Chesbro
is expected to join the procession if he is
in as good condition as he was early last
year.
Outside of that the 1909 team is largely
predetermined. Perhaps it is as much so
to the manager. 1t wouldn't be bit sur
prising if Stallings were to announce that
he would not think of naming regular
team until after lie had seen the players
in action in spring practice.
Infield a Problem.
There are three positions on the infield
which are likely to give him some worry
True he has ball players of experience
with whom he can be assured that he will
not go far wrong. but when a manager
has a tail end club by the tail. as it We're
he is going to pull some to get it from
the hole in which it has buried itself.
Second base shortstop and third base
are the three pieces which Stallings would
like to move to the king row and have
them crowned. At second he has an old
and experienced man, Laporte, who may
be a great deal better pail player under
the new regime. At short he has Elber
field another player whose skill is undis-
puted, but who may not hit with the new
order of things, and Ball a player Of eX-
perence which was gained last year. who
can make some of the most admirable
stops ever seen on any ball field and
some of the most soul racking errors.
For third base there is Conroy, who is
strong in the spring, little weaker in
midsummer and pretty well tired by the
time that the season is finished, yet he
might not be if the nine were going at a
successful clip. and the players. In their
joy over victory. had forgotten about
being tired
Ward can play third base and there is
youngster, Austin. from the far west, who
is said to be something of third base
man. and who will be tried out i'm the
south.
Ability Of Other Players.
! Ward can also play shortstop, and SO
can Gardner if he is asked to do so. En-
gle. the portly player drafted from New
ark, can play third but it is not very
likely that he will play it for the High
landers. The chances are good that he
will go back to Newark.
Before Stallings is at peace with him
self as to the future of this team he must
first see his players work in the south.
and with so much needed to steady the
nine and produce infield that will
begin to shoot the ball around with the
skill and accuracy of men who have play
ed together for part of season. at least,
he will not be likely TO make his selec-
tons in hurry.
The infield of the Highlanders will be
the anchor thrown out as clutch to drag
them from the mud banks this season.
Little fear need be had in regard to the
outfield. 1t is good enough to take care
of itself The pitchers are lottery more
or less to almost any team in any year.
If all of those belonging to the Highland
ers are able to work at top speed they are
as likely to be successful in their part of
the game as the pitchers of any other
club. Behind the bat the team Is no worse
than 1t was, if 1t is no better.
If Stallngs Is able to make a winning
combination of four around the bases he
will have forged the first link of the
chain that is to drag the Highlanders out
of the subway.
parhear for pi<fshurr