The heart of the Crimson's defense this spring will be the strong infield which is returning intact from last year's championship squad.

Defensive Strength

"Our real strength this year will be our defensive infield. We have everyone back from the unit that worked so well together last year," Park said.

Holding down the first base spot for Harvard again this year will be the duo of senior Joe Mackey and junior Leigh Hogan. Hogan sported a .308 season Eastern League average as the pair shared the duties last year.

Senior Ric LaCivita, All-Greater Boston League in 1973, is pegged for the second base position this spring. Second team All-East Ed Durso will be a shortstop and senior Jim Stoeckel will cover the hot spot at third.

Durso slashed out hits last year at a rate of .395, second in the league behind teammate Hampe. Stoeckel was voted first team All-EIBL in '73 behind his slick glove work and a .335 bat (fourth in the league).

On the Outfield Track

The outfield is still a little bit of a question mark for Park with four contenders for three spots. Returning veterans Jimmy Thomas and Dave St. Pierre appear to have the leading track for starting positions with junior switch-hitter Scott Adzik and sophomore Leon Goetz in contention for the remaining spot.

The receiving end of the battery will be held down by Dan Williams and John Friar. Williams saw back-up action last year behind Rich Bridich, while Friar sat out the year with a leg injury from football.

"We have the potential for two real strong catchers this year," Park said. "Williams and Friar are both big and strong and have good arms."

Flying South

The Crimson outfielders will get their chance to chase some real fly balls instead of just grounders and the pitching corps will have its first real test as the team moves from Briggs Cage to the warm playing fields of the sunny South over spring vacation.

"This year we are going to change our plans somewhat," Park said. "We're going to Atlanta first and play a few with Georgia Tech and then go on down to Daytona Beach where we were last year."

The Harvard baseball team traveled to Florida last year and came back with a sterling 13-0 record that left half of the coaches in this area amazed and the other half skeptical.

"13-0, that's a joke," Penn coach Bob Seddon said just before his team surprised Harvard, 3-2, in its first game after returning. "Harvard will be hearing a lot about that during the year," Seddon figured.