The Washington times., 1913-03-22
FINE MATERIAL FOR
YANKEE |NF|ELD
Manager Chance Sees His Way
Out of What Seemed to Be
a Big Problem.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March r.
The construction Of new infield. which
is one Of the biggest problems that
confronts Frank Chance. seems less Of
a task now than 1t was few weeks
ago when the Yankees invaded Ber-
muda Several Of the youngsters have
shown such class in the preliminary
work that 1t looks as II Chance has
sufficient material on hand with which
and not all Of the recruits have been
tried out thoroughly at that.
Assuming that Chance and Chase will
be able to take care Of the right side
Of the diamond, which appears more
than likely at this time, the problem
is sifted down to the short field and
third base positions, for which there
are more than half a dozen contenders.
So far Midkin and Hartzell have been
kicking up a lot of dust and excite
Young and Derrick are being given first
call at short.
The work Of Young stood out very
prominently last week. He has made
a splendid impression by his ability in
the field and at bat The one great big
all others is his speed. for. besides
being able to range over a wide terri
tory, he can scurry down to first as
fast as any man on the team. His
HelQinS IN tne uESt Two SaneS against
the Skeeters was faultless and brilliant.
Excepting Barry, he hit harder than
any of the rockies, and Chance ap-
pears more pleased with the young
ster's work each day.
Derrick Has Advantage.
Derrick. too, has done exceptionally
good fielding, and has the advantage
Of big league experience. having put
In time under the guidance of Connie
Mack. He has powerful arm and can
wing the ball across the diamond with
the best of them Besides these can
dldates for short, Chance has Martin
and Shump, but so far neither has done
much service in the infield, Chance hav-
ing assigned them to outfield berths for
the time being.
Ezra Midkiff continues to make a
| strong bid for the third base job. He is
a mighty fast youngster. His fielding
has been all that can be desired of any
| third-sacker, and he also hits hard. In
| twenty-one games with the Yankees
during the fag end of last season. he
| batted only "a, but claims he was out
| of form at the time. MILDLY Is deter
| mined to go at top speed this year,
| being in better shape now than ever
| before.
Certainly his work here has far ex-
| celled anything he showed on the Hill
top. He is a player OF the Jack Martin
type, In that he Is full of lie and GIN
| ger all through the games, always
shouting encouragement to his team
| mates.
| Priest and Harbinson. the other in
! field candidates. have also been doing
lot of outfield service in practice
| games, and neither has had a real
| tryout in the infield.
Barry Has Class.
Chance has a fine young understudy
for the first base job in Malcolm Barry,
the youngster bought from the Brockton
club last fall. Barry was handicapped
In his early work by a sore finger and
is just beginning TO show his real cali
her He Is u left-handed batter and
thrower and has played professional
ball only two years. starting with the
! Bradford club of the Canadian League
i'm 1911. since which time he was by far
the best sacker the New England
! 800 and leading the league in fielding.
| Barry seems to be able to get any,
thing tossed at him high. low, or wide,
although not exceptionally fast or agile
Roy Hartzell; too, is in excellent con-
dition and ready to cover third or take
an outfeld berth should the occasion
| arise. Rows arm is still as strong as
ever, and he has been hitting well.
| Frank Farrell is watching the training
| of his athletes by the Peerless Leader
rell has been here a sufficient time now
to become thoroughly acquainted with
the camp and has added his indorse-
ment of Bermuda as training site for
ball players to the many that have
been given.
| Il know of no better place for a ball
team to train,' said the Yankee owner
Yesterday land certainly We have never
experienced better training trip than
this has been. l am pleased with the
results so far and think a team perfectly
trained has a big advantage at the start
Of the season.