The University baseball candidates were reduced in number this week for the first time, about fifteen men being dropped from the general squad. The first squad remains the same with the exception of the addition of a few promising Freshman candidates.

The work of both squads has been increased slightly during the last few days, and practice in sliding bases is now a regular part of the afternoon's work. Sliding--gloves are used in order to make the practice perfectly safe. The work is done under the coaching of Captain Reid and Hamilton of the Boston league team. The severity of the fielding practice has also increased, and the men have shown a marked improvement over their work of a week ago. Their handling of grounders is for the most part unusually clean considering the short time they have been out. The throwing is still somewhat inaccurate, but this is largely due to the fact that many of the men have not yet mastered the under-hand throw which is being taught them. The practice of running men down between bases is now done much more smoothly and quickly, as the men have grown accustomed to the play and know just what each player is expected to do. This innovation in the practice will render the men much more at home in the regular games later in the season. Batting practice will be started within a few days.

The general squad has not shown as great an improvement as the first, but the average is now much higher than it was at first. Many of the men do not yet know how to handle themselves easily in taking grounders, and as a result their fielding is often ragged and inaccurate.

The work of the Freshman squad has changed but little. There will probably be a slight reduction of the squad in the course of the week.

In addition to the regular candidates, batteries from the Cambridge High and Latin, Hopkinson, and Brookline High Schools took part in the battery practice, and were coached by Captain Reid and B. H. Hayes '98. Hickman of the Boston league team was also present at the practice, but did no coaching.