If the potential gold in the Crimson freshman spring sports teams pans out, it will make people forget the good old rush of '49. But, potential is definitely the key word.

The baseball team, proud owner of a 4-1 record, is offensively one of the strongest in recent years, with a team average of .314 and five players batting at a .400 clip or above. Its defense has been good but sporadic as it has chalked up nine errors in five games.

Left fielder Baldy Smith has paced the offensive attack with a phenomenal .583 average, closely followed by shortstop Billedow at .563 and catcher-captain Gary Miller at .483. Leadoff man Skip Falcone has managed nine walks and four stolen bases.

Pitching is their one weak area (Coach Nat Harris calls it "thin.") He does see Tom Rucker as a really "top flight hurler," however. Rucker, unfortunately, has been plagued by a sore arm.

Potentially, again, the track team is an extremely strong squad. Two weeks ago it slipped by a good West Point team by three points, and it does own some very fine performers in both the middle-distance and field events, traditionally weak varsity areas.

Aggrey Awori, who won four events at West Point, is a former Olympic competitor and probably one of the best sprinters the University has seen for quite a while. Art Crosdale ranks as the best freshman shot putter Harvard has had, according to coach Ed Stowell. John Bakkenson just set a new Harvard record when he threw the discuss over 160 feet in the West Point meet. Nonetheless, Stowell still feels that many on the squad have not quite hit their stride yet.

Ye Olde lacrosse team (which ancient sport was played even before the '49 gold rush) also looks very strong. Coach James Lentz feels that "this is the best defensive unit I've ever had." However, he says it's not "the" best team he's ever had

The undefeated stickmen, sporting a 3-0 record, represent a much more experienced group than in the past. Midfielder Bruce Caputo, attackman. Dick Ames, and defensemen Mike Leahy and John Tarrell have gotten the team off to a roaring start. But Lentz still sees much room for improvement.

Both the heavy and lightweight crews appear to have a fairly rosy future. The lightweights just barely lost to Cornell a week ago by about one-third of a length. Coach Fred Cabot feels they should have won and has high hopes for a good season. The heavyweight crew, characterized by its coach, Harry Parker, as a "promising group," should also have a fairly successful year.

Happily, there is also a freshman sailing team.