The Washington times., 1911-03-22
The kid" Anxious to Mako
the Attempt With In
helderS' Glove.
CONFIDENT HE CAN
BETTER STREETS FEAT
Plans to Get. Permit When Team
Returns From Western
Trip.
Bv SENATOR"

ATLANTA Ga.p MdTCn ZI.-N llIi
nothing but his regular third baseman's
finger glove on his left hand, Norman
Elberfeld the veteran infielder with
Jimmy McAleers Nationals, plans to
catch a ball thrown from the top. of the
Washington Monument. He will apply
for permit to pull off this trick when
he arrives in the Capital, and may
succeed in doing it in June, when the
team returns from its first Western
trip.
Il don't see why I can't catch a ball
thrown from the Monument" says Ell
berfeld. IT'S merely a matter of judg-
ing its flight The most it can do is
force my hands apart. I'll see that 1
don't get hit by the ball, for that might
hurt.
The experts say that the velocity of
the ball when II reaches the ground has
a value Of COO pounds in weight. Maybe
so, but I'll bet that line drives straight
from the bat to me at third base come
just as hard as any ball tossed from the
top of that Monument.
AT the base they come quicker, too,
not giving a man much time to guaGe
their line of movement. To catch d ball
thrown from the famous Monument
means nothing more to a good ball
player than judging its fall. I think
1 can DO it. Anyway, I'm going to try
If I do # the Washington club will
have two men IN its lineup who have
done the trick.
Hopes to Get Permit.
Il hardly expect any difficulty in OBJ
tanning a permit TO try the trick. I
don't know Just when I shall make the
attempt. hut it'll probably be after we
return from our first Western trip. 1t
all depends on the sky
ElberfeId is confident of catching the
ball tossed from the top of the Monu-
ment II he succeeds with only his
finger glove, his feat will surpass those
of Street and Sullivan. the two catch
ers who used their large catching
gloves when they caught balls hurled
from the top of the granite pile.
The veteran inhelder has confided in
bat few members of the team regarding
his proposed attempt. George Mcbride,
who tossed the halls for street when he
caught them al the bottom of the MOnu-
Inent. has promised 10 do likewise for
Elberfeld
Tom Hughes reported his hurting arm
he refTained from work. He will rest il
for several more days before trying it
out again. The cool wind at Ponce de
Leon Park has caused almost an epi-
demic of stiff and strained arms and
shoulders among the pitchers. John
son, Gray, and walker alone have cs-
capped.
Henry on First.
Jack Lelivelt has been outdistanced
in the fight for first base by
John Henry, the Amherst College
boy. The arrival of John Somer-
lott has sent the southpaw to the
outheld. In today's practice game Leli-
welt will cavOrt in the garden instead of
the inf1eld. Somerlott has done no work,
but will be played at first base from the
start.
Henry is determined to be the regular
first sacker with the Nationals, as was
evidenced last night when Jimmy Nc
Aleer said to him. There's another first
sacker here now, John. You'll have to
hustle"
I'm glad to hustle" was the answer
from Henry. He'll have to go some to
beat me out"
In aIl-nround playing the Amherst lad
Chicago boy is slow in getting back to
the bag on plays to second and on low
thrown balls is rather weak, though he
is better now than he was last season.
Henry scoops up the low ones as if he
had always played the bag and his
lightning speed in changing feet in the
face of advancing runners is pretty to
see.
Unless Somerlott. admittedly mar
velous fielder can hit harder than
Henry he stands to see the college boy
playing the position this summer with
tho Nationals.
Moyer Is ! anne.
Doc Meyer will take a couple of treat
mcnts from an osteopath today for his
lame shoulder. Meyer and Hughes Wis
tied the specialist yesterday afternoon
and reported his treatment beneficial.