Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-13
: BY J. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
| ATLANTA March 13.-Just what tine
makeup of the Nationals outfield will be
at the opening of the coming season is as
much Of a puzzle today as it has been all
winter. Unfortunately Manager McAleer
| is not in that enviabe position where he
! has more good material than he can use.
, The shoe, in fact is on the other foot,
/ for the same scarcity of high-class gar
deners which existed last season exists to-
day, and probably will when April L. rolls
around
Conceding that Gessler will play right
and Milan center, and this pair is pretty
sure of their jobs, it leaves left field 10 be
filled by either Schaefer. Conroy, Corbin
or Miller. 1t may be that the latter pair
will show better than it has, but II Will
have to in order for either to ado
strength to the outfeld. There is no
doubt about Schaefer's value to the team
on the inside or for offensive working, but
it still remains to be seen whether his field
ing will be up to the required standard.
AS for Conroy. there is not the slightest
doubt as to his ability as fielder, but
he is hardly hitter enough to be counted
among the outfielders, and, what Is more,
he is a player who does good work for
short period only, and is very apt to give
way under constant strain.
AS for Ralston, it seems that McAleer
can't get himself enthused over the
Akron slugger. He is a willing worker
and fairly fast for big man, but there
is something about his style of play that
does not meet requirements. and II Is
doubtful, indeed. if he will be given an
other opportunity to prove his worth to
the team. Swain and Conway are not
good enough to be considered on what
they have shown here.
1t might of course, be so arranged in
selecting the first baseman that Lelivelt
would be available for the outfield. Now,
Jack is not wonderful fielder, nor has
he desired speed on the bases. but he
can hit. and that. after all. makes up
for many of his other shortcomings.
There is therefore a good chance of the
outfield being the same as it was last
season-Gessler in right. Milan in center
and Lelivelt in left. McAleer is nowhere
near a solution of the condition which
pick the man who in his Judgment will
fill the position best. and 1t is much too
early to make the selection at this time.
Matters may. of course, so shape them
selves, for the unexpected is always hap
pening in base ball, that what appears
like a dilemma lust now may furnish
sensational surprise. Having been
most remarkable outfielder himself. NC
Aleer may be a bit critical in judging
players for these positions. but 1t must
be admitted that with decidedly few eX-
ceptions he has little to choose from.
His object naturally will be to put the
strongest team possible in the field. In
so doing he must consider the hitting,
fielding and base ball intelligence of his
selections. Schaefer is starting rather late
in life to make himself a star outneider
after having played the inheld for years.
He may master the position, but that re-
mains to be seen.
There is no doubt about his speed on.
the bases and his ability to work
Iafo ,ctx -n1x G
be considered. On the other hand Leli-
Welt is not a good fielder, but just about
the sweetest hitter on the team 1t is an
old argument that fielder is sure to
a game where he may not have but one
difficult chance in week. But teams
made up in this way are not usually sue
cessful. Conroy Knows base ball and can
play the outfield better than the ordl-
nary man. but he is no longer reliable
proposition as hitter and, as said De-
fore, it is doubtful If he can go the route.
Had McAleer a man Of the Milan order 1t
would make the Nationals loom up IKE
contenders. for the chances are that so
far as inf1eld and batteries are concerned
McAleer will be better fortified than most
Of the teams in the league.
This week promises to be most strenu-
Gus one for the players. If the weather
permits there will be workouts every day
from 1890 until noon, when the practice
games Will be played. IneSe 2dIHes, now
ever are not expected to go more than |
FIVE or seven innings. as it is likely the
PLAYERS would be bowling for rest before
a whole game could be played. In the
week the team has spent here there mas
been remarkable Improvement in its con-
ditiou. There are but few sore arms now
and every man is rounding into form. BY
the end of the present week the team
should be getting along pretty near as
we'll as it will on opening day.
The Atlanta team is spelling for a game
and advertised that there would be such
A contest Wednesday,, but Manager
McAleer will not consent to this. He
does not want to play another exhibition
game until about Saturday. for he does
not believe that the players will derive
much benefit from such games as they
will from the battles they are to have
among themselves
Last wear the season VAS six weeks
old before McAleer had chance to
realize that his outfield needed holsteI'inS
badly and from that time out his scouts
secured the minor leagues in search of
promising material. They found some
but i'm each instance the player was the
property of some ma ioT league club and
was only loaned or his form fell during
ire closing months of the season, so that
no chance was taken to either buy or
draft him. Wat material Was secured
was believed to only have chance to
be no great disappointment should the