PENNSYLVANIA LETTER.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., Mar. 24, 1897.

The work of the baseball candidates since they began practice in the open air has been very satisfactory, and as the men are more evenly matched this year than is usual, it will be a difficult matter to pick a final team. The men are all working hard and have been successful in defeating the team of ineligibles and Uhlriche's professional team which played them on Tuesday afternoon. As a consequence of the even playing of the candidates the games between the 'varsity and the reserves are hard fought and are almost as useful in training the men as regular games with other college nines would be. At present the squad contains twenty-four men, but the number will shortly be reduced. On Wednesday, eight men were taken to the training table: Blakely, Dickson, Brown, Radcliff, Robinson, Wilhelm, Jackson and Ritchie, and more will be chosen from time to time as their ability seems to warrant their promotion.

A new shell has just been completed by Hoyle of Philadelphia for the use of the crew and Coach Ward is at work upon a new set of oars in shape similar to those used by the crew winning the world's championship at Saratoga in 1871. The men are rowing well together and the crew promises to be much better than it was last year.

The series of shot putting contests which has been held for some weeks past has done much to improve the work of the men, but it will be necessary to put forth some very extraordinary effort in order to make a place in this event at the Mott Haven games. In addition to the regular order of spring handicap games which are to be held March 27, on Franklin Field, there will be class relay races-with the object in view of bringing out new material for this event.

THE PENNSYLVANIAN.