The Washington times., 1911-03-10
TALENT |SPLENTiFUL
FOR THE 0UTF|ELD
Milan Only Certainty for
One of National
Positions.

ATLANTA, Ga, March 1O-Manager
McAIeer is not saying anything. but he
is not worrying much about the show
ing of his outfielders. 1t is too early
right now to do anything but conjecture
as to their form. Milan is certain of
playing in the middle patch. and, judg-
ing from the eagerness shown by Cess
Ter. he will be found in right field. The
physician knows that nothing but good
stickwork will give him a place, and he
is working hard to remedy any defects
in that department.
Corbin, Miller, RaIston, Keefe. Swain,
and Conway are the rockies trying for
positions. AS yet they have done little
to show any ability. The outfield at
Ponce de Leon Park is rough and heavy
and Manager McAleer won't let them
take any chances in going after fly
balls.
Washington fans Will remember Rails
ton from last year. He is we'll built
and should make a good player when
in shape. He is very lame from break
ing IN and has done little but practice
batting.
Swain. the mountainous lad from Cali
tornla- has done very little work in the
neld, spending most of his time batting
ana running around to reduce weight
lie hits from the orthodox side of the
pan and seems TO know how to pick out
the good ones
Corbin and Conway are smaller than
SW ain and are fast en- their feet. Roth
nave done some fielding, though not try--
ing to do too much. Conway bats right
handed, but Corbin stands on the other
side of the plate.
keefe swings lefthanded bu+ tb-o-
win his right arm. Miller, who was
farmed to Norfolk last season nv NJ
Aleer; is a southpaw both ways. These
Two lads are working hard to show
them closely.
Right now 1t looks as II Leliyelt might
play the first corner, but If he is switched
10 the garden he will have to Struggle
against this phalanx of rockies. Teli-
Neit never looked better in his life, and
VIII SHOW the pace to Somerlott for that
nrst cushion. His weakness on ground
balls has not appeared, and his days as
an outhelder may have passed.
Gessler has done very little work in
the held, spending the time playing
shortstop when not batting or running
around the bags. When down to pIay-
ing weight Gessler is an accurate and
graceful fielder, and Manager McAleer
Is not bothertng much about that phase
OF the situation. Only at the bat must
is practicinS hard against ali kinds of
II is not likely that the final choice
will be made. until the season opens.
Manager McAleer will see that every
candidate is. given full opportunity to
show his style and ability. Accordingly,
fans should be able to see
nearly all these rockies in exhibition
games before the opening Of the sea
son. However, some of them are ex-
pected to be shipped to the minor
leagues before the team leaves Atlanta,
if sufficient chance is given McAleer to
draw conclusions.
Considerable speculation is rife as to
what will be done with Schaefer, the
Nationals crack utility player and
general all-around dispenser of mirth
In large bundles. Schaefer will certainly
remain with the team as coach, If moth
Ing else. What he knows about base
ball would fill a huge tome, and Man
ager McAleer counts on the Dutchman
to instruct the many promising young
players in 'inside baseball.
When Schaefer was with the Detroit
Tigers he was known as one of the
trickiest players in the business, awake
all the time and always ready to pull |
off something to turn the tide of victory
his way. 1t is just this ability needed !
by the Nationals II they are TO finish |
higher in the race this year. and Man.
ager McAleer IS not thinking for a mo-
nent of parting with Schaefer.