The Washington times., 1912-06-19

PHILADELPHIA, June 19.-One OF the
attractions of the Climbers is the fire.
alarm practice OF the so-called
o'clock infield." Just now this infield
Is composed of Jack Ryan on hrst
base. Al Williams at second. E. "Dorf'
Ainsmith at short and Jack Knight at
third. But frequently Howard Shanks
plays third with knight at short. and
"Zeb" Milan at second. Al Williams
also works out at first base now and
then, with Germany" Schaefer at sec
ond or short The Nationals "2 O'Clock
infield" shifts its roster almost every
day and frequently every minute.
All tie lightning stunts ever dreamed
of on a ball field are performed by this
infield. Using both hands is scorned BY
Jack Ryan or Al Williams. They pick
cherries" spearing the ball with one
hand no matter how 1t comes to them.
AS a lightning shortstop. f. "Dorf
Ainsmith ranks with the geatest in the
business when 1t comes to exhibitions.
He delights in taking low throws at the
bag, falling over on an imaginary base
runner. His high pitched voice can be
heard all over the field when he Is
stopping hot shot in the shortneld.
Shanks Is Good.
Howard Shanks, the Youngstown flyer
who adorns the left garden for the
Climbers, is a nafty third sacker. IN
deed. he plays well enough to hold his
own with the average player in that po'
sition. His pegging wing is excellent
and he likes nothing better than to com
pete with Buzz" Foster in hurting the
pellet over to first base.
Jack RyanS smooth work around tht
first corner makes one wonder why hi
has quit active. playing. Then, too. A
Williams is good enough at that frs
Ghek &c Gand sGd is ncapSSitateS pSGn
Little Clyde Milan likes to handle the
big nit around the initial sack. and II
always awaiting a chance to fill in there
, ""fa "putcf fSn sehaefer % enjoys his f'S after
moons stunt with the lightning bug
more than anything else. for then he Is
| able to pull off stunts impossible in {
regular game.
Schaefer the Inventor.
Il invented the . o'clock infield, >
Schaefer told the writer this morning
when with the Detroit Tigers. They
| wanted to electrify the fans with lo
| of circus stunts. and so l volunteered
/ to make up an infield and put it through
hard practice each day before the
game.
las soon as a man made an error, h'
| dropped out Of the infield and som'
\ course, this kept everybody on his toe'
| lest he be dropped out.
Soon the crowd began to follow tfti'
practice and applaud the players anC
| jeer at those making erro>s. Gradual!
| they became so interested that the "
o'clock infield became an institution.
| Many fans came out to the parl
just to see us perform and we gave then
| a fielding exhibition they never coulC
see in a game.
All One e-Handed.
IAN plays were made one-handed. l
| a man used two hands to stop ball tn
| fans would give him the laugh. Every
| thing had to be of the circus stunt I,
get by. Outfielders would take fly ball
behind their backs and intielders max
ing a force play at second, would shoe
the ball between their legs or over thei
heads. tell you, it was warm work
too. and made a great hit with th'
| bugs.
Finally my q O'clock infield' beram
| such a drawing card that the fan
| wanted to sec II more than the regilla
game. We ruuld AFFORD 20 take chance
and this. mad7 our work all the NOR
exciting"
The Nationals 80 o'clock infield" 1
running along somewhat after the styl
Il the Tigers The players are cor
siSn;lv shifted, new mdn filling |
whenever au error Is made u hu
been q success all over the circuit. to-