Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-10
LOOKOUTS HAVE
FAIR OFFENSE,
GREAT DEFENSE
CHATTANOOGA. TENN. April

~HATTANOOGA. TENN, April 10.
Balance, poise, equilibrium
these are the three chief char
acteristics, or more properly speak
ing the three most familiar synonyms
for the one striking characteristic OF
the club which Norman (Kid) Elber-
field viii enter in the 1913 race of
the Southern Association under the
colors of this burg.
Neither extensively nor dofenslvely
is the 1913 'Noogan Club couspicu-
ously strong on paper The batting
average Of the club as a whole, eX-
elusive Of the hurlers but including
Massey as utility man, is .269; the
fielding average with the same eN-
ceptions is .951: and yet with these
modest figures to indicate hitting and
fielding ability the club nevertheless
possesses as a whole. in its remark
able balance. an offensive and defen-
sive strength which appear certain
to make IL a contender although not
a favorlte for the 1913 gonfalon.
Will Depend on Hit and Run.
The Lookouts have only moderate
hitting ability and ordinary strength
unon the base paths The average
number of thefts per player last
year was but 14.7 bases. They will
therefore resort neither TO the bunt-
ing game which lightning base run
ming would require, nor to the
straight-away hitting style Of offense.
which would necessitate the retention
Of unquestioned sluggers. Instead
they win depend on the hit and run.
The run and hit game which was
followed so successfully by Clark
Griffith at Washington last season
is the logical one for the locals. II
would probably be consistently fol-
lowed by any pilot under similar con
ditions, hut the fact that Elberfeld
is undenlably the best hit-and run
man in the minors to-day and that
the fact that he has a natural pen
chant for this particular play, abso-
mtely assures that the 1918 'Noogan
will follow this offensive regime
When Elberfeld's ability as a hit
and run man are taken into consid-
GRAFTON and also the wonderful CO.
operation on the offense which he
has secured by laborious effort, il
viii be seen that the paper batting
average of the locals cannot be aC-
curately appraised I'm runs and games.
The Lookouts. from the standpoint
of run-sCOr1ng, have unlimited pos
sibilities.
Defense is Strong.
on the defense il must be conceded
the LookOuts are. and undoubtedly
will be, surpassed. both as regards
individual averages and team aver
age but, I'm this department. too.
Elberfeld expects the balance and
poise Of the club TO render the team
10 a large degree impregnabIe. Con-
slant practice on relays, trick plays.
and double steals s expected 90 play
havoc with the batting rallies of no
few clubs.
With Street in the receiving role
and Jordan and Elberfeld around the
keystone sack. opposing runners are
likely 10 discover that the initial
cushion is far easier to reach than
the midway station. The locals are
certain 10 be a club which win re-
duce hits BY opposing batsmen to
the minimum number of runs posi-
BILE
Psyehologioaliy Speaking.
Aside from their physical attributes
and merits, which after all are no
criterion Of a teams real strength
or future prospects, the psychology
cal attitude of the 1913 'Noogan Club
may be described as one that is high
~ conducive 10 consistent effective
ness
In their present mental and spir-
itual attitude, and their physical CON
diJion, the LookOuts are a club that
is capable of the performance Of any
task however difficult Ii is not club
that is likely 20 romp eNultantly over
crumbhng opposition SiN-live. i've
four, and four-three scores are those
which may be anticipated throughout