The Washington times., 1912-02-16
WILL GIVE MANY
PITCHERS CHANCE
on Spring Training Trip-Squad Includes
Sixteen Men,

CHICAGO, Feb 16.-Frank Chance is
out cunning for a formidable staff of
nine-inning pitchers, capable of paving
the trail to a National League cham
pionship. In a letter to President Muir
ply, which was made public last night
by the West Side magnate, the maker
of champs issued instructions to hold
all the flinginE talent now on the squad
for fear of losing without trial some In
dividual who might fill the bill when the
race becomes q stern affair.
The fact that Chance Is worrying over
the acquisition of bunch of star fling
ing material is of no consequence, but
with the announcement that he intends
to take sixteen twirling candidates to
the New Orleans camp he Is establish
ing precedent and also cutting out for
himself a gigantic task in the way of
sitting out the good, fair, and poor tai
ent.
Recruits Enrolled.
Chances reasons for wishing to hold
all the men now in line is the result Of
the many assurances he has received of
the ability of the recruits to make good.
Almost without exception the newcom-
ers were riots in the respective leagues
last season, and the Cub pilot naturally
does not relish losing. any of the young
sters before looking them over and de-
Gliding whether or not they are worth
retaining.
The experiences of last season. when
the entire staff with the exception OF
Brown went to pieces and just about
tossed off pennant, are partly respons-
ihle for Chances determination not TO
run a single risk.
or the sixteen men on the roster at
this writing seven are veterans OF one
year or more. few of the Others
boast of brief stays at the House OF
Chance and some have yet to even get
glimpse of Chicago's skyline. The
list, as far as size is concerned, is far
in excess of any of previous years, but,
in the words of Murphy, conditions
warrant a squad of these proportions
so hot fight is assured when the team
strikes the Southern camp and the real
work for regular berths Is started.
The only possible cuts i'll the number
may result from Browns holding out
and the putting through of a deal. This
| may see Harry McIntire's transfer 10
another club, but even this Is remote.
AS regards Brown, 1t is still certainty
that he has been in conference with
BOSS Murphy, and while he may not
start South with the team 1t is better
! than an even bet that he will answer
| the call for action April II.
Big List of Talent.
The youngsters of promise who have
| yet to bow before Chicago fandom are
! Howard Northrup, Earl Moseley, L. A
Dresser. James Nagle, James Lavcn-
der. and Lefty" Harrington. The in.
| divAuals picked up here and there last
fall are Larry Cheney, Charley Smith
! and Clarence Marshall. The vets are
| Brown, Reulbach, Cole, McIntire, Toney
Richie, and Richter From this smal
army of priceless talent Chance mus
| select the corps of 1872
One feature of the elimination process
will be the time devoted to southpaN
| artists. Last season the Cubs managed
| to trek through the campaign without
! the assistance of this variety of ath.
| letes, but the lesson was sOmcwha cost
| ly: so this spring no effort will bt
| spared to develop one and possibly two
reliable port-side heavers. Three ol
| them are now enrolled-Harrington
| Nagle and Dresser. The former tive
| Nagle, who may become a gent of the
Marquard type.
Nagle was obtained from the NCwarl
club Of the International League, where
! he made a name for himself. His eX
| perienCe in the game covers seVera
| years, and this will be his second triT
| to the majors. the Giants having haC
| him for while last year. Dresser Il
| younEster from Salt Lake City, whC
started out to play first base and theT
| turned to the mound, but 1t likely tina
| more seasoning. Harrington was Sc
| cured recently from Louisville. which
club purchased him from Lynn of th'