The outlook for a strong base-ball team at Yale this season is far from promising. In fact, a scrutiny of the men who presented themselves last Saturday as candidates for the University nine, and a careful consideration of their known abilities, lead directly to the conclusion that Yale is short of good base-ball material. Compared with the college standard, there are only two first-class all round players - Stagg, '88, pitcher, and Cross, T.S., third base. The others can hardly be rated better than from medium to fairly good. The third best all round man is Noyes, '89 (short-stop), who is expected to step up alongside of Stagg and Cross. Dann, '88 S., catcher; Brigham, '87, left field and Sheppard, '87, right field, are strong fielders, especially Dann; but this trio are several notches behind the first three in batting ability and base-running. Kellogg, '87S, and Osborn, '88S., change catchers, and change fielders, who played last year, are not rated very high. Kellogg has the making of an excellent outfielder, but could never stand the pounding Stagg would give him; Osborn has the making of a good catcher, is fearless, quick motioned, and fully able to hold Stagg. He would be out of his element in the left field, but would make a good first baseman, which position he creditably filled for the grammar school nine. Both Kellogg and Osborn are unreliable batters and will need plenty of practice. The full list of candidates is: Catchers - Dann, '88S.; Osborn, '88 S.; Kellogg, '87 S.; Durant, '87 S.; Strait, '89 S.; Sullivan, '90. Pitchers - Stagg, '88; Heyworth. 88. First base - Spencer, '89 S.; Anderson, '90. Second base - McMillan, '88; McConkey, '88; McClintock, '90. Third base - Cross, T.S.; Walker, '88. Shortstop - Noyes, '89; Wurtemberg, '90. Fielders - Srigham, '87; Brigham, '88; Sheppard, '87; Allen, '88; Bull, '88S.; Day, '88S., Hunt, L.S. While the new men required may show the necessary fielding ability, none of them have in their class nine experience shown any unusual batting strength. The need of developing batters is so universally recognized that the greater part of the time in the cage will be devoted to that work. Squads of six are putting in an hour's practice daily. Another cause of worriment is the lack of pitchers. Heyworth is not expected to develop strength enough to relieve Stagg, and the college is being searched for material. At this time Yale's main reliance for success seems to lie in the battery - Stagg and Dann - with a prospect of dropping to third or fourth place should Stagg in any way become disabled. Dann is a fair pitcher, and the most available one to put in the box for a change, but can hardly be classed as a winning pitcher, especially without strong batters to help him. However, Capt. Dann will do his best to put the strongest possible team in the field, and will be assisted by ex-Capt. Stewart, '86, and James O'Rourke of the New York league nine, both of whom are in the law school. The strongest available team to-day would probably be: Catcher, Dann; pitcher, Stagg; first, Osborn or Spencer; second, McClintock; third, Cross; short, Noyes; left, Brigham, '87; centre, Kellogg or Bull; right, Shepard; subs, Strait, Sullivan and Walker. Yale does not favor the new rules, and will oppose them if brought before the intercollegiate meeting. Games have already been arranged with the Buffalos, Athletics, New York Reserves, Waterburys and Syracuse Stars. - Boston Herald.