The Nine.

The candidates for the nine have been at work in the gymnasium under the direction of Captain Willard since the close of the Christmas recess. The men are doing the minimum amount of training this year instead of the maximum amount which has been done in previous years. Men have sometimes complained of overtraining, but it is hoped this trouble will be avoided this year. At present the work consists of light dum-bell, exercise, playing hand ball, and practising sliding. In addition to this the battries practise three times a week, and all the candidates pass ball more or less.

The following are candidates for catcher's position: Henshaw, '88; Slade, '90; Bigelow, '90; and Campbell, L. S. Henshaw by his work last year, both as catcher and at the bat, placed himself in the front rank of college players. No Harvard player ever made as great a success in his first year as Henshaw did. Choate was catcher on his Freshman nine, and substitute on the University nine last year. He is a good backstop and a fair batter. The other three candidates are all new men.

The pitchers are: Boyden, L. S.; Manley, '87: Austin, '88; Palmer, '88; Bingham, '89, and Downer, '89. Boyden has been substitute on the nine for two years. He is cool, has good command of the ball, and will never tire out, and would be a valuable man in a protracted game. The other men have all pitched on their class teams, but have had little experience in important games. Captain Willard, '87, and Bisbee, '87 are the only candidates for first base. Willard was captain of his class nine and has played on the University nine for two years in the field or on first base. His fielding is very good, though it is at the bat that he excels, his total hits being phenomenal. Bisbee has played on his class team for two years. He is an excellent fielder, but his batting is apt to be weak though he would probably improve with practise.

The following are trying for the other infield positions: Wiestling, '87; Coolidge, '87; Loud, 87; Holden, '88; Gallivan, '88; Morgan, '89; Clark, '89; Young, '89; Mumford, '90, and Miller, L. S. Wiestling has played short stop for two years. He is a strong batter, and last season was the best base runner in the college association. He is a swift and accurate thrower, but he is not quite sure on grounders. Coolidge and Lord have played on their class team for three years. Batting has always been their weakest point, but in this they both improved greatly last year. Holden was substitute last year. He is a hard worker, a good base runner, and a valuable all-round player. Gallivan has played on his class team for two years. His fielding is fair, and last year he led the batting in the class games. Morgan and Clark played on the '89 team. Morgan is an excellant fielder, but his throwing and batting are weak. He has the making of a good player Clark is also a good fielder and weak batter. Young, Mumford and Miller are new men. Miller was captain and short-stop of the Trinity nine last year.

Foster, '87, and Leakin, L. S., are candidates for the field, and several of the men whose names are down for other positions are also trying for the field. Foster has played on the nine for two years. He is one of the best fielders Harvard ever had. He covers a good deal of ground, is sure of a fly, and is an accurate thrower. He also improved very much in batting last year. It is hoped that Nichols, '86, who is now in the Medical school, may play, though as it yet it is undecided.