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

CHATTANOOGA. TENN, April TO-
Balance poise, equilibrium
these are the three chief char
acteristics, OF more properly speak
ing the three most familiar synonyms
for the one striking Characteristic Of
the club which Norman (Kid) Elber-
field will enter In the 1913 race Of
the Southern Association under the
Colors OF this burg.
Nelther extensively nor defenslveiy
is the 1918 'Noogan club conspicu-
ousIy strong on paper. The batting
average OF the club as a whole, eA-
clu i've Of the hurlers but including
Massey as utility man, is .259; the
nrluing average with the same eA-
ceptious is ISL; 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-
sivc strength which appear certain
10 make IT a contender although not
favorite for the 1913 gonfalon.
Will Depend on Hit and Run.
The Lookouts have only moderate
hiLting ability and ordinary strength
upon tho base paths The average
number of thefts per player last
year was but l41 bases. They Will
therefore resort neither to the bunt-
ing game. which lightning base run
ming would require, nor to the
gtra!ght-away hitting style of offense,
which would nccessit1te the retention
Of unquestioned sluggers. Instead
they will depend on the hit and run.
The run and hit game which was
followed so success stully 10y Clark
Griffith at Washington last season,
is the logical one for the locals. 1t
would probably be consistently fol-
lowed by any pilot under similar con
ditious. but the fact that Elberfeld
is undeniably the best itaud run
man in the minors to-day and that
the fact that he has a natural pen
chant for this particular play. abso-
lutely assures that the 1913 '\oogan
will follow this offensive regime
When Elberfelds ability as a hit
and-run man are taken into Consid-
Grafton and also the wonderful CO.
operation on the offeuse which he
has secured by laborious effort, it
viii be seen that the paper batting
average OF the locals cannot be &C
curately appraised in runs and games.
The Lookouts, from the standpoint
of run scoring. have unlimited pos
sibilities
Defense is Strong.
on tho defense it must be conceded
the lookOutS are, and undoubtedly
will be, surpassed, both as regards
individual averages and team aver
age: but, in this department, too,
Elberfeld expects the balance and
poise of the club TO render the team
to a large degree impregnable. Con-
slant practice on relays, trick plays.
and double steals IS expected TO 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 will re-
duCe hits by opposing bstsmen TO
the minimum number OF runs poSsi-
bic
PsyeholOsieslly Speaking.
Aside nom their physical attributes
and merits. which after all are no
/ criterion Of q teams real strength
or future prospects, the psychologi-
cai attitude OF the 1918 'NooEau club
MAY be described as ons that is high
. ,y conducive 10 consistent effective
ness
I'm their present mental and spir-
ItuaI attitude, and their physical con-
dition, she Lookouts are a club that
/ Is capable of the performance OF any
/ task however difficult. Il is not club
I that Is likely 20 romp eNultantly over
| crumblng opposition. Six five. five
four and four-three scores are those
I which may be Anticipated throuEhout