Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-21
By ]. ED GRILLo.

4 - LII SAV4AAASs
OF the ten outfelders now in training
at Atlanta there is but one who is as
sured position on the team. He is
Clyde Milan. None of the others has
as yet qualified for either right or left
| field. 1t has been supposed that
Gessler would be played in right
field. The fact that he appears to be
in better condition this spring than ever
before seemed to settle that question,
but Gessler will have to do much more
effective work with the stick If he is to
be the teams right fielder.
Over in left the situation is just about
the same as 1t Is in right. Schaefer
would have no trouble holding down
the place II his hitting was up to the
standard, but. like, Gessler, he has not
been showing much with the bat. Nc
Aleer proposes to have players in the
field to assist Milan who can hit. He
may play one set while 1t Is hitting
and then substitute another after the
first begins to fall Off This is his plan
just now. though it may be changed
again in a day or SO.
No one can pick an outfield for Nc
Aleer. He must do that himself and as
sumo the responsibility.
Among the youngsters there are but
two that stand possible chance to make
good. They are Miller and Corbin, and
they are far from being of high class.
Miller looks like a natural hitter, but he
is slow in the field and none too strong
thrower. AS to knowledge of the game.
the least said of it in connection with
Miller the better. Corbin is good fielder.
but he has not been showing much with
the bat, though he and Miller easily out
class all the other candidates from the
minors for the job McAleer proposes to
experiment during the remainder OF the
training season. in the hope that he may
be able to pick the right men to help out
Milan. 1t Is not going to be an easy task.
for he has q decidedly poor lot to choose
from.
Though this is the third week that the
Nationals have been in training, Jack
Lehvelt has not put in single minute
in the outfield. and yet the chances are
to use big Jack in one of those posi-
tions. His ability as a hitter makes it
almost certainty that he will be in
the game in some position or other, and
the first base Job away from Henry.
Lelivelt's fault has been his fielding. yet
he is not being practiced at this end in
the hope OF developing him. A team
which is as. weak with the stick as are
the sNationals cannot afford to have a
batter OF Lelivelt's prowess sitting on
the bench. That would be folly, so the
chances are that a place in the outfield
will be found for him. Lelivelt has never
been tried in right field. and If Gessler
does not get to going with the bat Leli-
welt should be turned loose in that po-
sition.
Just how Jack would act in a sun field
remains to be seen. but the team needs
liver his share with the bat.
It is very evident that local fans are
not enthusins over the prospects that
played in the outfieid. There appears
to be sentiment for young players in
these positions. no doubt because the
players mentioned failed to set things
never be forgotten that the club en-.
ploys a man to handle the team. 1t Is
up to McA1eer to make his selections
OF the players he wants in the game. He
Is on the ground and capable OF judging
from which combination he can get the
best results. This is no time for criti-
cism. As yet McAleer has made no def
mite selections. When he does and his
pick proves failure there will be time
enough for complaint.
These practice games which the play
ers indulge in every day are proving
that McAleer's pitchers are rounding into
splendid form. and on this fact can be
coming race. Without exception, every
one Of the twirlers is showing UP well.
Hughes and Meyer are the only ones
suffering from sore arms, but by the
end Of the week they will show marked
Improvement It will mean q whole lot
II Hughes comes around to his last sea-
sons form, for In the three innings he
pitched Saturday he demonstrated his
wonderful ability. Hughes not only has
as fine an assortment Of curves and speed
as almost any pitcher. but he also knows
how to pitch. and. after all, there is
more in knowing how than there IL In
McAIeer Is almost certain to carry eight
Of his nine pitchers for awhile, at least.
Sherry Is the only one carded to return
to the minors for further development
Eight pitchers give the team quite q
stat. and yet, II all show ability 1t would
be Z mistake to let any slip away.
There is not the slightest doubt. barring
accident. Of course, that the Nationals
will be strong in pitchers this year. Gray
and Walker are a pair who are showing
wonderful Improvement. Walker. who
seemed weak and emaciated last season.
is q big. strong fellow this spring. while
Gray. who has not allowed himself to
get out Of condition all winter. is pounds
heavier end has moro stuff than ever
before. This pair and Tom Hughes. if
he comes around, will do a lot to help
out Walter Johnson. With a strong
pitching stan the Nationals viii! stand
better chance to cut figure in the