The Washington herald., 1910-11-30
BY WILLIAM PEET.

When 1t comes time for the Nationals
to report for spring practice next March
Manager McAleer may be shy a couple
of members Of his fock-two youngsters
OF whom considerable is expected next
year.
The men in question are Catcher Eddie
Ainsmith and Second Baseman Cunning
ham, both OF whom are clever basket
ball players and who spend most OF their
spare time during the off-season trying
10 shoot goals on Well-known semi-pro-
fessiOnal teams.
Ainsmlth is considered one of the best
basketball players in New England, and
is ia great demand Cunningham last
winter played with a team in New York
State, and stated at the close OF the
season he would probably be with them
this winter
Basketball as played by semi-profes-
siOnal teams Is nearly as rough as foot
ball. and man is constantly in danger
OF broken limb or twisted ligaments
1t will be remembered that Barney
Dreyfuss put a quietus on Hans Wag-
ner's basketball aspirations last winter.
being afraid something might happen TO
his star. and the chances are that Man
ager McAleer. when his attention has
been called 10 II, will ask Cunningham
and Ainsmith 10 cut out the indoor sport
this winter.
The Cleveland Americans have never
won their league championship. but "hope
springs eternal" and the fans in the Ohio
city have figured out next years laurels
as resting upon the brows of the Ma
poleons.
Cleveland has never been a really poor
ball club. but there has always been
some weakness that prevented the teaE
from finishing the season as high in the
percentage column as the dOpesters fig
ured that {. should stand
The enthu lasts now claim that the
nine has been SO built up and strength
ened that next season II viii evolve itself
into the smOOth-running machine that
is necessary 10 bring home the pen
nant. Young. Falkenberg. and NO Hit"
Joss are the vetrean pitchers who will
form the nucleus of the box staff. while
the team has a wealth OF young tWirlers
in Kaler. Mitchell, Koestner. and Hark-
ness. TO say nothing of Gregg. the new
left-hander, who is coming from the
Pacific slope 10 try his arm against big
league batters
Land and Smith have proved them
selves good men with the nitt and mask.
while Adams gives promise of becoming
one Of the star catchers of the league.
In the inheld Turner is TO return to
short. while Birmingham VIII probably
cover the three-quarter sack This viii
leave little 10 be desired al the diamond
points In the outer garden the addition
Of Jackson has made a great difference
L. fr far NaH hoe of
Latoie. should put Cleveland high IN the
club batting averages.
The Chicago White Sox spent a great
part of last year in a reorganization of
the team Gandill at first, French at
second, Purten at third. and Hahn In
the outfield, were all traded OF released.
Blackburne was supplanted al short. and
the end of the season found practically
new team representing the Windy City.
The Boston trade strengthened the team
greatly and il may BE- a pennant con-
tender in 1871.
The final lineup was Tannehill or Null
len at first, Mcconnell at second. ZeIder
at short. Lord at third. and Dougherty.
Mclean, and Chouinard in the field. With
Block or sullivan behind the plate and
Walsh, White. Scott. Olmstead. Lange, or
Young In the box. Chicago should prove
a hard aggregation 10 beat.
The University OF Notre Dame has rep
resentatives on I'VE big league teams.
Murray OF the Giants; Burke. OF the
Boston Doves. Mig" Reulbach. of the
Cubs: Bescher, of the Cincinnati Reds,
and Daniels, of the Yankees. All ac-
knowledge the Indiana institution as their
alma mater.
Many players who break into the major
leagues in one position finally make good