The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-08-16
A THOUGH it takes four men to
"A make an infield and only three for

A LTHOUGH 1t takes four men to
~ make an infield and only three for
an outfeld there are more good
infields than outfelds. 1t seems to be
easier to find four infielders who as a
group measure up to standard than to
find three such outfielders on one club.
True, the infelds have more chance to
show what they can do, but the fine
work in the outfield, such as throwing
and cutting off the long hits, doesn't
appear even relatively as often as
fancy infield work.
There are only three outfelds in the
big leagues which for ground covering,
throwing and speed in getting after
long hits rate up to Al grade. These
are the Detroit, Chicago National and
Pittsburg outfields. Notwithstanding
Pittsburg's bumps this year Clarke,
Leach and Wilson are three sweet gar
delers. Hoffman, Schultz and Sheck-
ard are an outfield hard to improve on,
while Cobb and Crawford are pippins
with either Mcintyre or Jones in left
classy enough to fit In nicely. Lewis,
Hooper and Speaker of the Red Sox
make a pretty nice outfield and one
likely to get better.
The best infield in the country is
that of the Athletics-Davis, Collins,
Barry and Baker 1t can hit, run
bases, and on defense is nearer to air
tight than any other present-day quar-
tet. Stahl. Gardner, Wagner and Lord
are fast four, without the class at
all corners Of the Athletics. Chance,
Evers, Tinker and Steinfeldt make a
strong Gordon, but one which has a
shade less of the fire of youth of the
Athletic four. Merkle, Doyle, Bridwell
nnd Devlin are a combination not as
evenly balanced in ground covering
ability as could be wished, the greater
ability being on the left side.
The New York Americans infield is
also out of balance, having a prepon-
derance Of ability Of the right side.
Cincinnati's infield is well balanced,
and so is that of the Phillies. Pitts
burg's always has lacked finish at first
base. but hummer otherwise. Cleve-
lands is stronger in the middle than
on the extremities. Brooklyns is not
fast individually, lacks stability as a
whole, but is likely to improve. Bres-
aahan has tidy infield and one that
can cover lots of ground from first to
short inclusive.
Take any of the present infields and
they do not outshine bygone infields of
the Tenney-Lowe-Long- Collins stand
ard or Of the Doyle-Reitz-Jenn NC
Graw standard. But then those two
were in class by themselves In their
day. AS whole the infields of the
present rate up as high now as then.
Were there one 12-club league nova
days 1t is probable that more high
class infields could be put together
than were found IL years ago.
The old question Of numbering the
players on the field so that thew can he
picked out by reference to the score
card has come UP again. Some fans
want this system introduced, claiming
that it would add to the pleasure Of
witnessing contest to be able to
glance at huge number on the back
or chest of an athlete and then refer
to card and pick out his name.
There is no chance, though, of any
such method being introduced. 1t would
pc bit Of humiliation to the players
to have to wear such pictures on their
manly forms, which is entirely unnec-
essary, To be sure, fan who Is not
personally familiar with all the ath-
letes sometimes has to ask his neigh
Dor the identity of certain players, but
that is small matter
With jockeys and bicycle riders the
case is very different The former ride
in all kinds of weather conditions and
very often it is utterly impossible to
recognize the boys in big field un-
less they are provided with a large
identification slip in the form Of a
number on their backs. The same is
true Of bicycle riders. But the ball
player is different, His calling Is q