The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-03-27
YANKEE BATTING
ORDER FOR 1918
IS FORECAST
Club Has Snappy PractiCei Be-
gins Shining Games Today.

MACON, Ga, March 27.-Midway In
me Macon training trip, with the Yankee
players rapidly advancing toward early
season form and all but two In daily
practice at Central CITY park. speculation
turned today 10 Miller Hugglns regular
lineup and probable batting order The
fret ~ not difficult OF solution the sec
ond Ia quite problematc and must re-
main so until the Yankees are well on
their way home.
one may rest assured that Huggins
will nOt he hasty In allowing any OF tho
players now on his roster to be sold.
traded or transferred until he is more
familiar with them than he is at pres
ent. II Is, therefore, practically certain
thnt the Yankees will open the home
season at the Polo Grounds with twenty.
seven men, including Fewster OF Balti-
more.
As there Is no player limit In the
American league, and most Of his rockies
are under contract at low salaries, II In
probable that this number will not he
decreased before the season is well Hd-
vsnced.
Studies Rockies Thoroughly.
Hugglns is not the man to take snap
Judgment on player. Even though some
Of the youngsters may be sent later
to minor clubs, the Yankee manager In
tends TO get a good line on their ability
before no allows them TO leave his team.
As the situation stands at this time.
the regular lineup Of the New York
Americans for the 1918 season will be
pipp, Pratt, Baker and Pecknpaugh In
the infied Bodie, Marsans and GiiNOoley
In the Outfleld, and Al Walters behind
the bat This will leave Hannah and
kutll as second-string catchers Beck
and Ward AZ substitute lnfelders and
High Camp, Wick, Miller and Lamar ma
candidates for outer defense positions
The uncertain feature about the Hug
gins aggregation at present Is the pitch,
Ing department II the veterans all have
good Seasons and ono or two OF the
youngsters develop into dependable box
mSh the Yankee pitching staff should
prove one OF the most formidable IN the
league Bat this would he putting too
great a strain on chance.
Therefore, It Ia generally conceded by
the experts here, and also the players
who can be induced to talk about the
matter. that another seasoned twirlar
would give the team tho needed strength
to make II real contender In tho next
race. Perhaps Hugglns figured that this
place would be filled by Eddie Plank, but
II is doubtful whether Plank At this late
stage Of his career could M the bill.
or the eight slabmen who are now with
the team shawkey, Caldwell and Mog-
ridge rank as the best. Russell may re-
turn TO form and win HIS share OF the
games. The others may bA ella ssed Rs
uncertain, although Huggtns Is known
10 think well Of nd Monroe Each, how
ever. Is 10 be given a thorough trial and
will hav0 every opportunity to make
good.
10 Hard Knitting Club.
Even counting upon the usual smmps
In batting, tho Yankees will prove a
hard hitting club, and It may be that
HuEgins expects to win most OF his
battles by outbatting tho other fellow
This would take a big part Of tho bur.
den off the pitching department and
would also result In the kind Of game
that appeals most TO the Polo Grounds
fan
with suoh extra base htters as Bode
Pipp, Bakss and Pratt Higgins will be
compeleA TO try several combinations
before arranging a batting order that
viii bring the best results These heavy
hitters will also NJ In nicely with a team
which Is ~ deficient In speedy base run
ners as is the Yankees
Gilhooley Is the fastest man on tho
paths, and will undoubtedly hold the
lead-On position Either Marsans or
peCknpnugh is likely TO draw the sec
ond place, with Frank Baker batting
third Bodie Ilpp and Pratt or Bodie
Pratt and Pipp. uro likely 20 follow as
named with either Mnrsans or Peck.
'uwugh IN seventh position, and Wal
ters eighth
HuCgius viii begin his experiments
with his hstters tomorrow. when he
VIII start his first practice games here
From nov ON until the close Of the train
ing season the NaUIfp manager has an
nUunced that fyy-inning games will be