Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-13
aonas Play Game Today Cunningham Worried About His Weight
MAILER CONTINUES TO BE
PUZZLED OVER THE OUTFIELD
Youngsters Show Flashes Of Batting and
Fielding Speed, But Not Up to
Major League Standard.

who filled those positions last season. 4
club must keep on trying and it is wise
, policy to look a lot of youngsters over
| in the spring of the year.
1t may be. of course. that some players
who will fill the bill can be secured
| when the clubs begin to cut down their
| forces, but this is a Ions chance, as there
| Is hardly a team in the league. unless
| use of tirst-class outf1elder. But this
chance will not be overlooked by Nc
Aleer. as he proposes to get a line on
the young players of the rival teams be-
fore the wedding out starts.
McAleer has been in the game too long
TO enthuse about a PLAYER because he
shows flash, but the Nationals man
aSer feels that Dolly" Gray is going to
be of real worth to the team this year.
His five innings Saturday, though pitch
ed against a college team, proved him to
| De IN better form than ever. and Nc
Aieer expects great things from him.
hill Otey, the only other southpaw, is
10. nave good try-out some day this
week. when he will be pitched against
the colts. In practice Bill looks to have
plenty to carry him through.
Bill Cunningham made a serious mis-
take last winter when he allowed HIM
self to grow stout, and he is just realizing
II now. Cunny must take off. twelve or
fifteen pounds before his condition will
SUIT McAleer. and he is forced to work
like Trojan to accomplish this. After
all the other players are tired out and
dragging themselves into the clubhouse
Bill has to run around the park four or
five times clothed in heavy sweaters. and
1t is less than third of mile around
After long practice this run becomes
most strenuous. and he almost falters
under the work
But McAleer keeps him at it as much
to get him in shape as to teach him the
lesson that he must keep himself in con-
clifton during the off season If he expects
to be in base ball. At the rate Cunny
gained weight last winter it would be
question of only a few years when\ he
would be forced out Of the game.
For this reason the youngster intends
not only to put himself on diet next
winter. but he will work in a gymnas ium
to keep down his weight, for he does not
want to be forced to go through course
of training such as he is now forced to
indulge in.
Gabby Street since joining the Nationals
in 1908 has caught over 400 games of ball,
and vet Streets hands are almost entirely
free from blemishes with which all catch
ers suffer as the result of having been
hit with foul tips. No other catcher has
worked harder than Street, and in one re-
spect at least he holds record--that of
catching sixteen consecutive games in
nine days. That was the first, year he
complished in Cleveland, Chicago and st.
Louis. where on the last trip the Ma
tionals were compelled to play lot of
doube-headers.
Street contends that he is seldom hit on
the fingers, for the reason that he holds
them together when catching a ball. only
exposing the side of his hand for foul
tips to tickle. No one is more plea sed
than Street with the fact that Ainsmith
is capable catcher. for he figures that
he q ofe aC$A "
will be able to do better work. but
Street breads idleness. He does not want
to be off more than two days at the out
side. because he says he cannot do his
Last spring McAleer cautioned him
about training too hard. and Street took
1t easy. He thinks that this fact inter-
fered with him early in the season. and
he is now working harder than. any of
the players, except Cunningham.
John Henry's playing at first base is
the talk of the training camp. Even the
players are astounded at the remarkable
improvement the Amherst boy is show
ing. both in the field and at the bat. and
predictions are made that in course of
time he will become one Of the leading
players in the league. He Is just full of
natural ability and energy to bring out
his best efforts.
To date there has been little done to
develop speed on the team. for tn reason
that it was figured tie players should
first be i'll good physical condition before
they could do anything i'm this respect.
This week. however. Trainer Quirk will
use his stop watch and time the players
in their run to first base. This Is sure
TO work up interest and make the play
ers try all the harder.
President r. c. Noyes Of the Washing
ton club arrived here yesterday after
noon. During his stay here he will I'M
doubtedly bring Walter Johnson and
Clyde Milan to terms. The head Of the
club expects to stay few days.