BASEBALL IN THE CAGE.

The baseball candidates have now been at work in the Cage a little over four weeks, and some idea can now be formed of the ability of the men who make up the University squad, though criticism based only on indoor work must necessarily be more or less inadequate and unsatisfactory. The whole squad is making encouraging progress in base-running and sliding, and in general the work so far has been fairly satisfactory. However, more attention should be given to minor individual faults. The training table for the University squad will probably be started in about two weeks.

The pitchers, though much improved in form, are not as far advanced in control as they were at this time last year. To this point special attention will be given during the next two weeks. No batting practice has yet been given to the pitchers, but this will probably begin soon.

Stillman has greatly improved in style over last year, especially in stepping, and is now pitching in better form than at any time last season. His speed is a little better and he has shown excellent control but is very apt to have off days in this respect.

Kernan's style and stepping are also much improved and his work is generally good though not uniformly so. He uses very good judgment and is the most level-headed of all the candidates so far.

Winsor has better control than any of the other candidates and has shown considerable improvement in speed and curves. His form, however, is only fair, and he has not yet mastered stepping.

Clarkson, though strong in speed, curves and form, is not as steady as he should be. His control is somewhat uncertain, and he is apt to be somewhat hurried in his delivery.

MacDonald, too is inclined to be a little nervous and hurried, but his form is good, and in speed and curves he shows some improvement over last year.

Coburn shows great improvement in form since last season, especially in starting the ball higher. He needs a great deal of hard work to gain any sort of control. At present his work seems nervous and erratic.

Laverack, naturally a side-arm pitcher, is doing pretty well in his efforts to master an overhand delivery. He commands good speed and a fair curve.

Dudley is steadily improving in form, curves, and speed, but his control is very poor.

There are several strong candidates for first base. The general weakness among them is that of not speaking up enough to criticise the individual faults of the infielders.

Leonard is a new man and lacks confidence. He is working hard and shows steady improvement. He bats and throws well, but does not use enough headwork in fielding his position.

G. C. Clark has had much more experience, but is inclined to be slow. His arm is in better condition than last year, and his throwing is consequently better. He is batting well, but does not put enough life into the work.

J.D.Clark plays with plenty of snap and shows more spirit than any of the other candidates for the position. His enthusiasm seems to lead him into over-anxiousness at times. His weakness on low balls is counterbalanced by his ability in reaching out for wide throws. He is the best of all the candidates at coaching the infield.

Jaynes is working conscientiously but without much snap. He lacks judgement, and is not meeting the ball far enough from the base.

Nye is rather short for the position, but throws well and bats in very good form.

The second base candidates are not so good and are not making as much progress.

Fincke has been ill and unable to do much work. His fielding and throwing are as accurate as ever, but he is slow and is not strong in handling the ball for double plays.

Frantz plays a very fancy game and is somewhat inclined to be careless. His hitting is not very strong.

Murphy is quick and throws well but does not always get his heels together on ground balls, and often throws while off his balance. He is batting well.

The disability of Keene and Carr leaves Coolidge the leading candidate for shortstop. He is surer than last year and is throwing very well, but is not quick enough on attempts for double plays.

Carr fields in good form but is apt to throw while off his balance, and too hard. He has fractured a bone in his little finger and will be unable to practice for a few weeks. During that time he will assist Keene in coaching the Freshmen.

Keene's arm which he broke last summer is not strong enough to allow him to play regularly, so he has been obliged to retire from the University squad.

Story, on third base, shows great improvement in the details of play over his work on the Freshman team last year. He is quick, and throws and bats well. He does not speak up enough.

Lancy is fielding fairly well but does not keep his heels together in fielding grounders, and is generally uncertain. He needs a good deal of practice in batting.

G. C. Clark is also a possible candidate for third base.

It has been impossible to judge the work of the outfielders satisfactorily from the practice in the cage. A good many candidates have been retained so that they may be tried outdoors.

Wendell, who will probably remain in right field, is playing with a great deal of spirit and is improving in batting. His work in general is good, though his throwing has not always been accurate.

Devens is slow and awkward, and has been troubled some by a lame arm which may, however, be better in the warm weather. He has not shown much improvement in headwork. His batting is good.

Putnam fields and throws well, but is unsteady at critical times and is far from strong at the bat.

Baldwin is a hard worker but is uncertain and inclined to throw while off balance. His batting is weak, and he has a good deal of room for improvement all around.

Wood is steadily improving. He handles himself well and his throwing and fielding are accurate but not quick enough.

Higgs is very slow, clumsy and stiff and his fielding is not at all up to form, but his batting is encouraging, and he may develop into a strong hitter.

Stewart is quick but careless in throwing. Lack of patience has made his progress slow. His batting is fair.

Pieper is awkward and slow in the field, but may learn to bat well.

Black is learning rapidly and has done much towards overcoming his awkwardness.

Minton's fault is throwing while off his balance. His batting is improving.

Daly fields fairly well but is inclined to be careless, and is not very strong at the bat.

Christenson is doing pretty good work in the field, and may have a good chance if he shows strength in batting.

Walsh throws and bats well and is working conscientiously.

Shanks is quick but very crude and needs much practice in handling the ball.