Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-08

to realize that when Jim McAleer Sc
cured John Henry. the Amherst College
boy, he picked a diamond in the rough
This big boy is going to be great bal
player regardless of whether he is de
veloped to catch or to play first base
The improvement that Henry is showing
in everything he does, and particularly
his hitting, is really astonishing. He has
all the earmarks Of being great player
His style is so similar to that of Frank
Chance that every movement he makes
reminds one Of the Cubs famous leader
Though he has little or no experience
Henry looks finished in more ways thar
one. but it is his improved hitting that
astounds. He no. longer pushes at the
ball. but takes a clean swing and hits
hard.
for first base. John Somerlot will have
to do some tall hustling to hold his own
Even Lelivelt, whose fielding at first base
has always been weak, is showing much
Improvement. and he never overlooks
an opportunity to practice there. He
and both look good. though. of course
Lelivelt is the better batter just now
though he may not be for long. One
thing is certain. no matter what position
Lelivelt may have or whether he Sc
cures any or not, there is no chance OF
his being let out by McAleer, who con-
siders him the most natural hitter on the
team.
Jdch VII! De with US Deyono question:,
because / believe him to be a great hit
ter" said McAleer. I'VE have not yet
found position which he can fill salts
factorily as fielder. but there will be a
constant Improvement, and the time is
not far off when he will answer every
purpose, and it would be folly to let
him slip away
While every one of the Hot Springs
squad reported here in prime condition
a c,,1x I@.l he
took. the weather did not allow them
to do as much ball playing as they ex-
pected. and it will be a week or so be-
| fore they will be going at top speed
though every one of them is fit to stand
lot Of work right now.
The greatest Improvement in appear!
ance is shown by Mcbride and Milan
| Both have taken on much-needed weight
and should have splendid seasons.
Milan. for the first time in two seasons
| is nejoying perfect health. 1t has MOI
been generally known, but it is fac'
that for the past two seasons Milan has
| been ailing, being almost constantly un
der a physicians care. This spring he is
as sound as rock. and he believes that
| 1T will be his banner year in the American
League. Milan looks well as he says
| he feels. and he has made wasers OF
| hats with several of his teammates that
he will hit 300 this year. Like Johnson
Milan has not yet signed. but the differ
and he and McAleer will get together be
| fore they depart from here.
Though Wild Conroy is no longer g
youngster. he has no contest for place
on the team. the utility position being
his without the asking. McAleer figure:
that with E:berfeld as the regular thirt
baseman, it is absolutely necessary tt
have an experienced understuGy for the
Kid. This because of the great chance
the Kid takes in a ball game which
makes him susceptible to injuries Elber
field cannot help blocking runners ant
he has never been known to give one ar
inch. whether he is sliding feet first OIL
not. Last year he was fairly fortunate
in not being out Of the game very much
but McAleer never feels safe to not bt
fortified with a third baseman in case o
injury. nor could he get better mar
for that purpose than Conroy Incident
ally Conroy can play the outfield in &
pinch, which adds to his value.
ut will be week or ten days before
will be pitching at top speed, but I lool
| for my arm to be as strong as ever thi:
season. and I don't think there is any
question about my holding my own re
| marked Long Tom Hughes this morning
looking no different from what he die
when he left the Nationals in the fall Of
1909. Hughes possesses that same con