Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12
BY J. ED GRILLO.

ATLANTA, March 11.-While ii is safe
to predict that a majority of the young
players being tried out by McAleer are
not to make good, there is no doubt.
however, that one or two of them will
hold their own. which, after all. is very
fair percentage. There are others who
show plainly that they require more ex-
perience and another year or so in
minor league may bring them up to the
necessary standard.
Nowadays a major league club must
have players who are growing up. 1t is
an absolute necessity to have some play
ers placed in the small leagues about
the country, where they can be worked
regularly and get the experience and con-
fidence which go a great way to max
ing major league ball players.
The fact of the matter Is that the
Washington club has already been ex-
ceedingly lucky in picking up valuable
young players The addition Of Cunning
ham, Ainsmith and Henry last fall was
ten-strike This Is indeed a brilliant
trio, and the chances are that two
others will prove good enough to Manager
McAleer to warrant their retention, even
though they may not be used regularly
from the outset.
In several instances the players do
not come up to the reports received
concerning them. Andy keefe. for in
stance. was put down as a speed marvel
by Bill Bradley, yet Keefe is not the
fast man youth like him should be
to have a chance to be a major league
ball PLAYER Blankenship predicted that
Swain, Notwithstanding his size, would
show marvellous speed, and While 1t Is
true that he is fast for a big man, yet
there is nothing astonishing about his
speed.
Ball players are not always good Judges
of ball players 1t is said of actors that
they seldom pick a successful play. and
this is true of many players. so far as
picking youngsters who can prove them
selves valuable is concerned.
But then club does not expect but a
small percentage Of the youngsters it
tries out to make good. One out OF ten
Is q good average, and If McAleer can
do that we'll he will be helping himself
and the team whole lot
Kid Elberfeld's one weakness as bat
ter has been the fact that he tries to be
too scientific. and while there is no DOUBT
that he has often sacrificed his Individual
record for the teams benefit. he might be
of more value If he would change his
style. When Elberfeld hits straight
away he is very good hitter. But he is
always looking for hole on the inf1eld
through which to push the ball with
men on the bases, and this has done much
however, the Kid promises to make a
switch. He proposes to try to bat free
" and without picking spots. and the re-
suit will be that he will drive many a
clean hit through the infield where for
merly he would probably advance his man.
but be thrown out himself.
Clyde Milan has younger brother. who,
according to Clyde, is going to make a
better ball player than he Is. The
Younger Milan is to play with the Fort
Smith. Kan. team this year. and Clyde
has tipped McAleer Off to keep an eye on
him Clyde says that his brother is faster
course, is hard to believe, but McAleer
thinks we'll enough OF the tip to assign a
scout to drop into Fort Smith now and
then and watch the youngster
Milan halls from Linden Tenn. and, &C
cording to what he says that town must
make q speciality of developing ball play
ers Though Linden has population OF
only $50, seven young men from there W II
play professional base ball this season.
Milan, OF course, is the only one of the
LOT In a major league, but the others are
all youngsters just going out
In sizing up the Nationals chances it
must not be overlooked that the team,
even though no youngsters are picked up
who will be of material help to ii, is bet
ter fortified than 1t was a year ago. On
| his Sshowing last fall. for instance. Cum
ningham is the best man the Nationals
have had at second base for decade. for
| of being a good hitter and surely as good
| a fielder as any Of his predecessors.
One man Of the Cunningham type. Zig
uring that his work last fall was not q