The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-25
CHICAGO CUBS
HAVE 8 men
TOLEAD OFF

Expert Ieadoff men for major
league clubs are rather hard to find,
and managers are compelled to do
considerable experimenting in the
spring and often all the season before
a satisfactory man is developed. Even
then the managers are not always
successful and find it necessary to go
TWO and three years before unearth-
ing man with the necessary, qualifi-
cations for that position in, the bat
ting order.
Lack of a skillful leadoff man has
peen the case with the Cubs for sew
eral seasons. Manager Mitchell did
not have one last year and had to do
some experimenting until he found
that Max F1ack had the ability and it
only needed to be developed. After
Mitchell made this discovery his
leadoff position was capably filed, for
Flack made decided improvement in
his work at the plate and in making
the pitcher get the ball over for
him.
Mitchell is one manager in the Ma
worry in the spring trying to decide
on first man for his batting order,
according to one Chicago critic He
has his fill of them now with the ac-
| QUESTION of Dode Paskert in the trade
for Cy Williams and Charles HoIloch-
err the young shortstop purchased
from the Portland club of the Pa
c1fic Coast League. MitchelTs diff
Guilty may come in trying to make a
selection from the three men he has
capable of filling that place.
! Most ball players do not like to be
the first man up because they know
the opposing pitcher always tries his
hardest to dispose of the first man
But in F1ack, Paskert and HoIlocher,
Mitchell does not fear any objection,
because all three are, accustomed to
| the place, have occupied it so much
and are so familiar with all the tricks
needed that they will probably bat
tie for the honor of leading the bat
ting order. They will all be given a
chance in the spring to prove their eff
ficiency.
Paskert has been leadoff man for
the Phillies for several years, and evi.
IDENTIFY was a good one, for Manager
Moran tried to make a change sew.
eral times but found it unsatisfactory
and reverted to his reliable outfielder
Paskert was stationed at the head o.
the list because he has the ability tt
make the pitcher find the plate, ant
also because he is a clever man OF
the bases and expert in operating will
the batter who follows him in the hi
and run game.
F1ack did not show himself to be
good leadoff man until the middle O.
last season, when Manager Mitchell
took him in tow and insisted that h,
change his bat and assume more o.
a crouching position at the plate
These changes made a remarkable i'm
provement in the little outfelder, ant
during the last two months of tn,
year he batted more than 800, ant
hit 1eft-handed pitchers as heavily a
he did the right. He forced tn
, twirlers to pitch and received base
on balls consistently.
| Hollocher led off for the Portlan,
= club last season, and according to tn
Y information Manager Mitchell has re
= ceived concerning him will qualif
: for the same position on the Gu
I team. He is not big fellow. H
D crowds the plate bit and takes
L quick cut at the ball, somewhat lik
Dave Bancroft of the Phillies. H
gets on first often through his abilit
, | to know when to offer at the bal
Mitchell thinks he is a candidate VIII
t will have to be given much considera
| ton