Yale and Princeton Nines.

Both the Yale and Princeton base ball nines this year will lose a majority of the men who played in the championship games last year. Both teams will lose some of the men who have proved themselves most valuable. At Yale Calhoun, the captain for two years and probably the best all-around second base man that Yale ever had, graduated with '91. Poole, eatcher, Owsley, third base, Cushing centre field and Parker right field have also left. Poole was an excellent back stop and his loss will be keenly felt. Either Jackson who was substitute catcher year before last or Kedzie, who caught in some the preliminary games last year, will probably take his place. Bowers will pitch again. He is a steady man, but by no means brilliant. McClung will in all probability be called upon to cover first base again. He has said that he will not play base ball this year, but if another equally good man cannot be found, he will probably have to take the place again. At second base Case may possibly play. He pitched considerably last year, but finally ended the season by playing left field on the 'varsity. He was not an ideal outfielder; but he is a good batter, and as he has had some experience on second he may be transferred there. Beall who played short stop in one of the Princeton games is also a candidate for the the position.

For third base Kedzie has been tried, and is likely to be chosen unless he is needed as a back stop. Captain Murphy himself will again play at short stop. He is a brilliant player. Without much previous experience at Exeter where he prepared, he suddenly developed great strength as an out-fielder in his freshman year at Yale. He was put at centre field where he distinguished himself in both the Harvard and Princeton games. Last year he was brought in to short stop. He was chosen captain of the nine early last fall in place of McClung who resigned. Cushing and Parker were first-class fielders, but weak at the bat; and Captain Murphy will be able to find someone to fill their positions creditably. As the Yale nine played in her few games last fall, the following was the make-up: Bowers, pitcher; Jackson, catcher: Walcott, first base; Beall, second base; Kedzie, third base; Murphy, short stop; Case, Rustin and Stone, fielders. Rustin is an old Andover player.

At Princeton the veterans, Dana, Durell, Knickerbocker, are graduated and Brokaw is dead. Young, the pitcher, is captain of the nine. He is probably the best pitcher that Princeton ever had, ranking above her last great pitcher, Bickham, '86. He will hardly be able to find such a catcher as Brokaw had proved for three years. Brown may be put at back stop He played in the field part of the time last spring. King, the foot ball captain for next year, will probably be changed from third to second. He is a brilliant fielder, but an unsteady thrower and the change will be a good one. Wright will again be at centre and Ramsdell at right field. The places then, which Captain Young will have to fill are catcher, first and third bases, short stop and left field. He will have a hard time to find such men as Knickerbocker, Dana and Durell who played a beautiful in-field game and all of whom were heavy batters.

Under the supervision of Trainer Mac-Master, important improvements are now being made at the Princeton cage preparatory to the opening of the base ball and track athletic seasons The ground work of the cage is being completely overhauled. The floor has been dug up to the depth of four inches, the rough materials will be taken out, and sifted loam will be put in instead. This will make the surface more suitable for the needs of the base ball men and sprinters. The track will be relaid with loam, with a top dressing of finely sifted ashes.