Walsh May Pitch and Catch On Pitcher-Shy Varsity Nine

The third week of spring baseball practice began yesterday and with it came the announcement by Coach Stuffy McInnis that Captain Charley Walsh, a catcher, will probably see service this spring as a relief pitcher as well as a starting receiver.

As a corollary to this, McInnis disclosed that Dick Clasby is, at present, the leading contender for the second-string catching berth. If Clasby clinches this position, he will be the man who takes over behind the plate when Walsh goes to the mound.

It is also possible, McInnis said, that Clasby will win a starting role in the outfield against left-handed pitching. A right-handed swinger, he would replace either Bob Smith or Ralph Robinson, both of whom bat from the other side of the plate.

As a reliefer, Walsh will follow in the footsteps of Cliff Crosby, catcher on the 1950 team. Crosby became a fireman late in the season and saved several games, most noteworthy of which was one against Penn, in which he caught the first eight innings, hit a tremendous home run, and prevented a dangerous rally in relief in the ninth. McInnis plans to use Walsh as a pitcher, like Crosby, only in the late innings.

More Pitchers Needed

The Crimson coach hopes that this move will help solve the pitching difficulties presented by a schedule with three twin-bills. "Last year, McInnis said, "we carried only three pitchers; this year, because of the doubleheaders, we'll need at least five."

Fortunately, all three pitchers from last year's staff Bob Ward, Rufe Webb, and Jack Donelan--are back again. Ward looks "a little faster," according to McInnis. Webb, a southpaw, has good control, good form, and fair hitting ability. Donelan is smart, fast, and also has good control.

Of the numerous other hurling prospects, Mcinnis said yesterday that sophomore John Semmelmeyer, a big right hander, looks, the best.

The Crimson coach made two observations about the infield and outfied: 1) all four infield positions are wide open; 2) it is virtually impossible to judge the ability of outfielders until practice moves outdoors.

Maesaka Impressive

Third baseman Ray Maesaka has hit impressively so far, but he has been taking It easy in the field because of an ankle that was broken badly last year. Other third base prospects are Tim Wise, George Chase (who has been playing hockey), Don Cass, Jim O'Brien (a converted first baseman), and Jack Collins (a converted outfielder).

Charlie Cabot, who has been doing most of the short-stopping lately, will receive stiff competition from Walt Greeley (another hockey player) from here on in. McInnis considers Cabot "potentially a very good ballplayer," and Greeley, who saw intermittent service last year, "a very steady performer."

Four candidates are fighting for the second-base post; there are: Hank Young, who has the edge in experience; John Canepa, a flashy fielder who has been hitting well lately; Paul Crowley, a good hitter and Howard Shurdut, who "looks like he might be a pretty good ballplayer," according to his coach.

Competition by Johnson

First baseman Russ Johnson is the only returning starter in the infield. McInnis insisted yesterday, however, that this position is far from clinched and that three players--Jim Kiggen, Al Switzer, and Bill Monteith--"are going to make Johnson hustle."

Although generally noncommital about the outfield, the Crimson leader was full of praise for Bob Smith, who appears the most likely replacement for last year's centerfielder, Ed Foynes. "Smith," says McInnis, "is a fine player: intelligent, fast, and a good fielder. Right now he's trying to go for distance too much and, as a result, overswinging."

Ben Akillian, last year's cleanup hitter, and Ralph Robinson, who also saw service last spring, appear almost certain starters in left and right field, respectively, despite the fact that their coach would make no predications on this score yesterday.