The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-03-13
TEAMS ON SCOUT
FOR INFIELDERS
Seven American League Clubs
HOttOOt After Youngsters.
ATHLETICS ARE WELL FIXED

Connie Mack Fortunate to Have Four
Great InfieIders-Detroit, New York
and st. Louis Could Stand Lots of /
Improvement.
Athletes aspiring to break into the |
American league the coming season |
should endeavor to graduate as infeld- !
ers, as this department OF the pastime |
appears to be the most in need of |
! strengthening.
! Practically every club in the junior
body, with the possible exception of
the Athletics. can use recruit or two
to strengthen the inner line of defense
Connie Mack built we'll when he ar
ranged his forces three years ago, and
there is no sign of crack or assure in
the infeld manned by Mclnnis, Col
Inns, Barry and Baker.
Seven other pilots are in dire straits
for talent to take care of the bases and
the shortfeld. The host OF infeld ma
terial should receive a thorough trial
this coming campaign, with better OPP
portunity of staying in the Johnson or
ganization than heretofore.
Even Boston and Washington, which
made the running last year, are in pO-
sition to strengthen their fences by
the acquisition of an inielder. Though
Jake Stahl, pilot and initial sacker of
the worlds champs. has gone on rec
ord as saying he would be found at his
; old post another year, it is more than
. likely he would give way willingly TO
younger guardian were he fortunate
enough to develop one. Even if he
participates this season he must have
a juvenile in training ready to step
into the breach if needs be.
= Clark Griffith's vital trouble last year
was the keynote sack problem. Nor
. gan, a recruit took care of the bag
much of the time, but his laXity in
stick work made it essential for Grit
t fifth to change horses in midstream,
and as a result he purchased Laporte
/ from the Browns. This was only a
5 temporary shift. and what Laportc
made up in stick work be lacked in
fielding and aEgressiveness.
Chicago. the fourth team in the race.
was shy a first baseman all season.
Toward the close it picked up Borton.
who was an Improvement over the re-
mainder of the trials but he was pain
fully slow on his feet and a left hand
ed sticker. weak against pitchers of the
same denomination The shifting OF
Harry Lord to the outfield left a wide
gap on the other side of the inield
which will be as difficult TO fill as the
first corner. Weaver and Rath. short
stop and second Sacker. both warnings
are the most secure of the infelderS
and the former will have to fight two
other Juveniles
q, Cleveland made great Roadway il
s filling its ra pks toward the close of las
\ year In Johnston. first sacker. anC
B Chapman. shortstop, it strengthened
q immensely. and it is probable tina
they will retain the Jobs intruSted IN
V their care On the other hand. whil
second and third bases are guarde,
we'll at present by T.atOie and Turner
both are we'll past their prime an,
these places will have TO be locke
to the coming season. II only for tn
10 sake OF safeguarding the future.
no Detroit is probably worse off tina
IL any other club in the organization
having a shortstop who hit yer
rs meager figure last season as the Ion
Sc secure infield proposition. All thre
by sacks are in need of guardians. an
ms were it not for the fact that Cobb an
de Crawford. outfelders. are such n towe
mt of strength the Tigers would fall bac
hi into the air from which Jenning
If resurrected them.
ay The St Louis Browns plight is ia
he we'll known to need much common
I'D They have Pratt. a second sacker, an
two veterans in Wallace and Stoval
We These positions must be looked int
m, Immediately as more decay will leay
tie cavity too deep to be cured. No ma
DIV ter which way the squad lines up, IL
tn Browns must have two new infelder
it'll New York is pretty near in as ba
tie a FIX They have Chase and HartZe
do who can take care Of the right and lie
oh side of the diamond. The former b:
Or never played second in q regular b
ant league game. but at the training can
,ro In Bermuda be has shown up we'll
70 the position and may surprise eve
~ Dne by his work at that bag. Short fie
Is the one weak spot Chance will ha
49,, 10 fill on the Yankees tn6eld- No
Of the past seasons crop will me
" with the approval of the man who W
member of the banner quartet of ;
zines.