El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-29

~ ASEBALL managers IN both the
II American and National leagues are
- complaining of the scarcity of
good first basemen and have ordered
their scouts to unearth men who can
be developed into guardians of the
opening peg There are plenty OF IN,
fielders. outfielders, catchers and
twirlers being picked up ever spring.
but few initial sackers.
In the American league, there is only
one real first baseman. Hal Chase,
manager Of the New York Yankees, is
the king of 'em all. Harry Davis, of the
Athletics, was a grand man a few days
ago, but he has slowed up to a walk
on the defence, and if he hits $50 this
year 1 will be surprised. He is there
with the think tank, but you have TO
have some physical ability besides TO
win games these days.
Nearing Veteran Age.
Cleveland has big George Stovall, and
while there is lot OF good baseball
left in him, he is reaching the veteran
stage. and each season sees him slow
ing UP more and more. He is heavy
cIouter when he hits the ball, but his
eve is bad and clever pitchers with
good change of pace find him easy
money.
OF the youngsters, Washington has a
promising lad in Join Henry, who
thought he was catcher until Jimmy
McAleer took hold of the team ana
convinced him otherwise. He looked
like a million dollars in the games
against the Yankees this spring
Chase believes McAleer has swell
youngster in Henry. He covers heap
of ground, can come in on hunts with
lightning speed and covers deep back
of and to the left of the cushion
The Boston Red Sox are trying out
two youths, Bradley and Williams.
Neither has yet set the world aflre.
John L Taylor has ordered his scouts
to keep a sharp lookout for new talent
in the minor leagues.
Tex Jones Looks Green.
The White Sox have a youngster
named Tex Jones and ne may develop,
but he looks pretty green, according TO
reports from the Windy City Hughey
Jennings's one weak spot is at first,
Gainor is playing the position for
Detroit now, but he is very raw ma
terial. Newman is back at first for the
Browns. He didn't look any too good
last season. He may do oetter this
year.
In National League.
In the National league there are three
men who can be called gooc first base
men. They are Hoblitzel, of the Red
legs; Konetchy, of the Cardinals, ana
Merkle. of the Giants Chance, of the
Cubs and Tenney, Of the Bostons, were
stars few years ago, but there ism
much baseball left in them.
Tenney is all crippled up He is wear
/ ing rubber stockings to hold his legs
up. and as q result Is about as 1ast as
/ a moving van He is clouting the ball
| hard but is an easy mark for fast in
fielders, who can take plenty of time
and throw him out on ticks that i've
wears ago he would have beaten easily
Chance is already looking for ma
terial TO replace himself. He apprecl-
ates the fact that he is slowing up. Ii
is doubtful if he will be able to play
more than 80 games this year for the
Cubs.
Merkle is one sweet ball player He
is practically a youngster and is sure
to give the Giant fans cot OF swell
| baseball for many years. He is game
1 clever on both the offense and defence
and a fairly fast man on the paths.
/ Confidence in Hunter.
Pittsburg is playing Hunter. a ne"
man from the American association on
first. Fred Clarke believes he will de-
| velop. but he is far from being UP &c
| the standard at present
Charley Doom has not settled on his
regular first sacker yet Bransfield, who
| was the regular guardian of the sack
last season for the Phillies, is begin
ming to go back. Luderus and Miller
are trying to land in the berth, also
Luderus wasn't good enough for the
Cubs. so it is hard to figure how he
can do any better in the town of SUM
Der. Miller has not had much oppor-
| tunity as yet
Clarke Griffith has a corker in Hob
litzeL While not in the Chase class. he
| is very valuable man. He is especial