The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-05-07
NEW PLAYERS?
 THEY'RE ELKS'
 BIG QUESTION
Purples Receive Galaxy of Recruits Will They
 Come Through?


 baseball team as the opening of the Castineau Channel League diamond season speeds nearer!
 Football of the league for the past few seasons, the Purples drew the sympathetic attention of the loop officials when it came time fer the first distribution of players this year, with the result that to the nucleus of five capable regulars held over from past seasons there is added a corps of new and return ing faces; all belonging to proven or promising horsehiders.
 Foster Gets Aid
 The mainstay of the Elks hurling staff last season, Bud Foster, is the sc,e survivor of preseason of the Elks mound staff; pruning in which the shears of the managerial staff clipped Big Mac" MacSpad- den, "Shavey" Koski and Grassy Lowe from the Purple-C Clads roster.
 lO DOlotJI ttic ing crew, the officials. in their first meeting last week, presented Man ager Howard Simmons and Assist ant Elks Manager Carey Tubbs with Ward McAlister and Harold Abram- son McAlister has already demon strated his worth in the the local league. After walking off with star honors as mound mainstay of the Legion wrecking crew during the season three years ago, McAlister contracted sore arm early in 1886 and did not fare so well that sea- son. But, to testify that he is again in form is the manner in which he last fall held down the best local clouters while on the mound for the visiting Skagway team, with whom he played last season
 Abramson is very likely looking newcomer to Southeastern Alaska baseball. He is rangy and is the possessor of plenty of power. In just how well he can use that power may well lie the seasons future for the Elks. Should Abramson live up to his advance notices, the Elks will be the possessors of very com petent mound staff to replace their tottering ancients of seasons past. With three hurlers that can win games, plus their new talent in other needed spots. the Elks should be well able to wreak havoc in Gastineau Channel League ranks.
 Catching Is Good
 When it comes to the other end of the battery situation, the Purples are best blest of any loop club. In a preseason deal just completed they traded backstop Kelly Blake to the Moose for young Orin Addleman. Addleman is all the catcher any team could wish One of the most likely-looking youngsters to come into the league in recent years, Ad- dleman showed plenty of zipper and hustle behind the bat as well as real power at the plate in the few times he broke into the Moose lineup last year. Playing regularly for the Elks this season, his form can be expect ed to show improvement.
 Last season the Elks were almost completely missing an infield. This season. they should have whole in- field with few spares to keep the first-stringers working. At first base is Molly MacSpadden, regular from last season. A good hitter, MacSpad- den is entirely capable of handling the chores around the initial sack. For the other inner defense posts the Elks have drawn three proven performers from the preseason shuffle. Topping the trio is Earl Forsythe, who, two seasons back, showed as the flashiest hustling shortpatcher to don league uni form for several years. At that time, as a vital member of the champion Moose, he won all shortstopping honors. Now, after a years vacation in Sitka. Forsythe is back with all his old pepper.
 Returning to the Elks' fold after a season away is third-sacker Don Bradley. Two seasons ago Young Bradley was the most sparkling member of the Elks' team. drawing acclaim from the most critical of local fans both as fielder and hitter. With a seasons experience under his belt. there is no reason why the youngster should not nc 2 be even better
 What About Second2
 With short and third ably taken care of. the keystone field remains the only question mark in the Ant Ier's infield; and not very big 1 question mark at that To round out the inner quartette for the Elks