The Washington herald., 1910-11-29
ny WILLIAM PEET.

| Can John Somerlott nit we'll enough
to play first base for the Nationals next
| season?
/ The majority Of experts who watched
somerlott during the short time he was
| in their praise of his fielding ability. but
shook their heads when it came to a
| question of his batting.
AS a matter OF fact. somerlott is a
better hitter than he showed while wear
| ing a Washington uniform. The IN
official averages Of the Central League
place him in the 90 class. and any bush
| Lacquer whs can sting the ball at
/ .290 clip is worth a good trial in the
majors
II will be remembered that Somerlott
joined the local club OF seir final West
/ ern trip about a week after Cunning
/ ham reported. and In the Cleveland. Chi
cago. and st. Louis games Somerlott hit
the ball harder than Cunningham. In
the New York, Philadelphia, and Boston
games In Washington during the season
wind-up, Somerlott was completely
eclipsed by the work OF the New Eng
land League recruit.
MCAleer believes that SOmerlott will
show something next season. and will
pay special attention TO the work of the
big fellow during the early season work
outs, and If possible correct his faults.
In the first place. several OF the local
club believe that Long John" would do
a whole lot better il he cast aside his
big heavy stick and tried a lighter bat.
When Somerlott Joined the team he
brought his pet bat along with him, and
mas II u
heavy bat, and tried Somerlott's hickory.
Gessler. as everybody knows. is a big.
powerful chap. and remarked one day Il
don't see how you can use this club.
John; il weighs a ton"
Somerlott replied that he manaSed 70
get along very we'll with ii when he
played with TeTre Haute, and saw no rea-
son why he should try something else.
Manager McAleer may be able to con
vince Somerlott that lighter stick will be
more effective. and Somerlott may take
| this advice and profit by il. At any rate.
1t is admitted that for a fielder. SOmerlott
is about as good as any of the first-sack
guardians in the American League If
his hitting improves. the problem of who
will hold down the initial Tag will be
easily solved.
Speaking OF Somerlott. there is one
Washingtonian who believes that he viii
make good with the Nationals. That one
is Dutch" Sterzer, the well-known for
mer high school and amateur star. who
last season pitched for Evansville. of the
Central League
Sterzer says. Il know that Somerlott is
a good ball player. for I worked against
him many times last season. He cannot
only cover the bag well. but can hit, and
I'll bet he shows something in the clout-
/ ing line next season"
According TO Sterzer, the reason why
SOmerlott is such a good fielding first
baseman is because Long John" started
out playing ball at shortstop. which ex-
plains why he is a wonder when it comes
TO handling ground balls.
1t is practically assured that the Ma
tionals and Georgetown will come to-
gether in one or more games at National
Park next spring. and these should prove
interesting. for. according to reports.
Georgetown is going to put strong team
on the field.
Cornell gained a lot of valuable expert
ence in playing the Nationals here last
April, and there is no reason why George
town should not come in for a slice OF
this experience.
OF the seventy-seven games for which
the Philies Will be scheduled at Phila-
delphia Park next season il is probable
that some will be transferred TO Atlantic
City and be played on Sundays, says the
Philadelphia Telegraph. The scheme to
play National League championship
games there during the past season was
permitted to slumber because it was felt
that the authorities would object.
Since the recent election in New Jersey
baseball men at the shore and In Rhila-
delphia believe they see chance to put
through a cherished project. Plans were
mapped out last spring. and if Sunday
games can be played at the 'city by the
sea" it is proposed TO erect at Inlet Park
an immense grand stand and bleaehers Of
steel and concrete which would seat thou
sands OF persons.
Championship games at Atlantic City
would be a distinct novelty. and the Of
ficials OF the Philadelphia National
League club and the baseball authorities
at the shore are OF the opinion that the
scheme would be big money winner.
The proposition would be TO transfer
games which were scheduled for Phia-
delphia Park during the week TO Atlantic
City on Sundays. The plan, it is believed.