New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-10
Comment and Gossip
On Sports of the Day

sental points as batting, base running
and the scoring of runs
IT is still a bit early to analyze the team
and It's possible strength this year as Nc
Graw is still working hard at Marlin 10
develop some of his promising recruits TO
a point that will satisfy him that he can
add something to the team which may
have been lacking last season. 1t i
quite possible. of course. that the players
who fought out the worlds series last
October will be found in their regular
places when the bell rings next month,
but even if such is the case the Giants
will still look formidable enough TO re-
peat. if the little Napoleon can inspire
them once more with the same dash and
spirit which marked their play in 1912.
Judging by reports from Bermuda
Frank Chance will use Hal Chase at sec
Ond base, even if he finds that it will be
better for him to stick TO the bench in
stead Of playing first base himself. To
this end he is watching Sterett, captain
Of the Princeton nine last year, and
grooming him Cor the place where Chase
has made such name. Second base.
which rightly has been dubbed the key
stone sack. has been a weak point with
the Yankees for years. and If anything
can be done TO strengthen this part of the
inner breaStw1 rks Chluce will have gone
far toward solving the most difficult prob
lem which confronts him-the building of
capable inheld.
Chance says that Chase thinks so quick
ly and acts so quickly that the half turn
necessary when iielding many ground
balls to first because he is left handed
Will not operate as handicap. Good
judges who have seen Chase handle him
self I'm that position also insist that before
half the season is over he will be wor-
thy rival for Eddie Collins Johnny Evers
and Larry Doyle. the ranking second
basemen of the country. ] feel the same
way. Chase is natural ball player ana
is likely TO be quite as much at home at
second as he was at first. Further than
that, because he is left handed he Will
be seen making plays TO third base and
second base, with chance for double,
to attempt. Those who have seen him
come rushing I'm from first on bunt and
force man at second on snap throw
will appreciate what is meant He has
frequently made eyes bulge by plays OF
this kind which were never dreamed OF,
and he will keep on doing so, whether at
first OF second base, if his heart is in his
work. 1T seems a pity that an accident
should retard his development Just at
this time.
II must be confessed that the lawn ten
mis- team Of this country which will 20
to England in quest of the Davis cup is
called upon to face a difficult task. 1t.
must leave here i'm time 10 complete the
first round 10y June =. rather early TO
insure the necessary amount OF practice,
il must meet in the first round the rep
resentatives Of Australia, who successful
ly defended the cup for several years If
victory comes over such a strong foe il
must then meet the winner of the match
between Germany and France and dis
pose of another worthy opponent before
coming UP TO the challenge match with
England, the present holder Of the trophy,
on July p. The Australian team. how
ever. viii suffer under an even greater
handicap. as some Of the members al
least have much further to 90 to reach
the scene of the struggle. Moreover, the
dashing Norman +. Brooks will stay at
home 1t must not be forgotten. either,
that the credit will be greater If the cup
is returned to this country than if the
American players were on the easy side
of the draw. Anyway. here's hoping
That cup is needed and wanted In this
country after a lapse Of several years
1t may be recalled that Australia has
never been beaten by the United States
in competition for the trophy.
/ must acknowledge mistake ln my
comment week ago anent the Cornell
basketball team. There is no chance Of
avoiding the sackcloth and ashes, rs at
least twelve letters and two postal cards
are clamorng for the confession. one
has TO be mighty careful these days. II
seems that inadvertently I referred to
the Halsted brothers, of Brooklyn, who
were the backbone OF the Cornell five in
winning the intercollegiate league cham
tlcilSlilIf a. ia NIX i'dAiA'h Ni''' '"~''NN
ball al Poly Prep. IT appears that AdelphI
Academy boosted the Haisted boys be-
fore they went to Cornell Again / was
called To account in saying that for nine
Years Cornell has been finishing last or
next TO last In the league race. TO be
frank. | accepted somebody else's word
for this statement. and am more than
willing TO qualify IT now by saving that
the team has been fairly well ny the last
few seasons, but has never climbed to
such heights as this years Ave.
Six Union men also rise to the question
why I did not mention "A victoTy over
Rochester in referring 10 the striking
record Of the basketball five which wears
the Garnet Union did beat Rochester,
and on the latters own floor and ROchcs-
ter defeated Cornell. II must be told.
however that Rochester also defeated the
Union team on It's own floor in the first
game Of the season. and in the only game
lost. by the way. by the close score of
- TO %.
! had little idea that college men, par
ticularly those with winning teams. took
such a violent interest in basketball.
From letters received this week Il IS
ulaiu al lea II six teams think that