With outdoor practice for the Freshman candidates beginning this week, prospects for a successful 1920 baseball team appear reasonably bright. Coach Ball, who will again have charge of the Freshmen, will probably have the same, problem that faces Coach Duffy, that of developing a strong pitching staff. Of the pitching candidates, none have shown extraordinary ability; no one man standing out above the others. S. H. Johnson, who has been in the pitcher's box for Team A in the practice games in the cage is perhaps the best of the boxmen, but is a trifle wild, and G. H. Brecker, who has been showing plenty of speed, has also experienced the same difficulty. Of the other men, Robinson, Washburn and Newton have the edge and any of these may develop into a first-string pitcher. Robinson is the only left-hander among the candidates, and should prove a valuable member of the pitching staff.

Behind the plate the team will be much better off, however, with a number of experienced men competing for this battery position. R. A. Lancaster, who has been showing great form in the early practice, is the leading candidate for catcher. He is a hard hitter, a steady man behind the plate, and possesses a good throwing arm. A. Aspinwall is also a good catcher and, while not as fast as Lancaster, may push him hard for his position. T. H. Gammach and W. G. Swigert have also been playing well.

With good men competing for every position, Coach Ball should easily turn out a fast infield. W. F. Manley is the leading candidate for first base, and has been covering this sack in fine form in the cage. T. S. Woods, although inexperienced, has been hitting the ball hard in practice, and G. E. Ladd has also been showing up well. At second base J. R. Wolverton appears to be the best man, and is a hard hitter. H. D. Ward has been playing regularly on Team B at second and will be a strong contender for this position. R. W. Emmons at shortstop has been fielding brilliantly and should make sure of his place on the team by a slight improvement in batting. S. Osgood is another player who should make a good man in the short field. Of the third basemen E. S. Hobbs is easily the leading candidate. He is a sure fielder, a fast man on the bases, and will prove a great source of strength to the team.

For places in the outfield there are a number of good men competing. J. W. Morse, J. G. Coolidge and R. P. Hallowell have been playing regularly on Team A and have proved good hitters, but on account of the restricted conditions in the cage have not been given an opportunity to exhibit their fielding ability. P. S. Dickson is another good outfielder who may fit in nicely at one of the three positions