STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN BASEBALL SQUAD

The spring practice of the University baseball squad is now showing marked effects on the individual players. Coach Mitchell has given the battery candidates much valuable instruction, and the fielders are now well started in their training, despite the fact that the small size of the Cage has been a slight handicap.

The prospects of this year's nine, however, are exceptionally bright. Seven "H" men are back, and many promising candidates from last year's Freshman team are out. As far as pitching is concerned, E. W. Mahan '16 and W. Whilney '16 will be invaluable men. They both have had two years' experience on the University nine, and a great deal of last year's success is due to them. W. C. Hitchcock '18 is the most promising of the 1918 team, but C. L. Harrison '18 and R. M. Loring '18 are showing very good form.

The position of catcher ought to be well filled by R. Harte '17, who caught last year, while T. H. Safford '16 and F. C. Stevens '18 will both be able assistants. Stevens caught on his Freshman team and Safford has had two years' University experience.

Captain H. L. Nash '16 will unquestionably be at first base, for his playing has been consistent and brilliant. Second base will be filled by G. E. Abbot '17, who did so well at this position last year. These two players are the main strength of the infield. The other infield positions will not be so easy to fill, for no two men have yet appeared who could be said to have cinched shortstop and third base. Coach Mitchell may draw from H. S. Bothwell '17, F. G. Fripp '16, C. L. Harrison '18, W. J. Murray '18, G. R. Walker '18, and H. C. Wiswall '18 to fill these two places.

The outfield ought to be very strong this year, in spite of the fact that two such able men as C. E. Brickley '15 and R. S. Gannett '15 were lost by graduation. O. Ames '17, R. E. Ashley '17, F. P. Coolidge '16, and F. G. Fripp '16 are left from last year's squad, and P. B. Boyden '18, J. Knowles '18, G. A. Percy '18, and C. H. Wyche '18 of last year's Freshman team are all promising men