The Washington times., 1910-02-25
Fans Think Him More Valu-
able There Than Behind
the Plate.
WOULD WASTE TIME
SITTING ON BENCH
Street Not Likely to Need Much
AsSistance-Nelson Matched
Again.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

What Is to become of Wade KilIifer2
VIII he be a catcher. second baseman.
or nondescript utility man this year?
This sprightly youth broke on our Wis
Ion last season as a part Of the trade by
which Delehanty went 10 Detroit IN ex-
change for Kiuifer and Schaefer- When
he first arrived he was either an infeN1er
or an outhelder. but nobody had any
clear idea exactly what was his best
trick He played more or less accept
ably In any position. but remained in
none long enough to get settled One day.
toward the end Of the season. ne was
IN the outheld. when a series Of acci-
dents to Hardy and Slattery-Street was
already on the sick list-gave CantiIlon
the inspiration 10 put the lad behind
the bat Remember how he threw 10
bases for the remainder Of the game?
You should. for II was EladsOme sight
He. was certainly much better than Mike
NahOe at that specially
Discovered by Accident.
This unearthing Of KiHifer's back
stopping ability I,-as not a mere chance
happening. for Cantiuon knew he had
BEEN a catcher in the Texas League
before he went 10 Detroit. The parading
Of the youngsters Forgotten qualities
made a huge hit in the Capital Of these
United States. for the Capital IS lam
entabIy shy on catcheTs Of substance
and standing 10 relieve Charley Street,
and Cantillon intended to keep Killifer
behind the plate.
The fans have now begun 10 take a
different view. Street is so industrious
that, barring accidents, he will not need
much assistance, and If KiIIifer is to
be Streets understudy he VIII be on
the bench about five months out or six.
The sentiment has veered around 20
take Killifer out OF his Second Street
business and establish him as an In
fielder. The only job IN the infeld he.
could hope to get this year would be
second base. II is a sure thing that ne
could not pry loose Mcbride or Elber-
field or Jngiaub.
May Need a FIELDER.
Schaefer is at present rated as the
teams second basemau and drawing
wages as such. but there is some fear
that the German may not be nimble
enough on his pins or sharp enough as
10 the eye 20 play I'D to the form that
made him famous. and II he falls down
on the job the club will be as bad off
for a man al the middle station as fl
will be for substitute Digmitt man.
This is not an UnuRaSOna bIe line Of
reasoning as advanced by some OF the
deepest thinkers In the Stove League
and Manager McAleer might well give
1t trial
That catching staT doesn't look
strong
II Battling Nelson WAS beaten as bad
ly as the CORY description of his battle
with WOlgaEt would lead the public 90
believe, then he is probably making an
exceedingly foolish move to meet n
sturdy yoUuEster Ike Cyclone Johnny
Thompson the first week i'm Nav. II
Nelson were in his priura hc would not
be aStinE so uuWisefN I'm making
another fight so soon. Dor most OF his
punishment was around the head and
none o. IL hard enough to knock him
down and jar him completely, but be
is no longer a yOunESTer- His own ex-
perienCe in his third fight with Joe
Cans should teach him a lesson. Cans
was al in when he met the Dane the
second time and was q mere she'll i'm
their third contention. Nelson will re-
quire considerable rest to recuperate
from his forty rounds OF punnnelinc
and when he does recover. viii he
have any punching power He had
little against WOlCast. and gained none
by that grrellhng experience.
Billy Lehman is on the mend.