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THE STATE TEAM
A Good Selection.
AT the executive meeting of the Base-
ball League this week the manager
and the 12 players chosen to represent
this State in the Melbourne Carnival
were announced. The final selection is
a very good one and it has caused general
satisfaction. Mr. T. Merrett was ap-
pointed to the position of manager. This
selection is one which has been well
earned and all will wish the popular
league president success in the big job
confronting him.
Jack Beale (Chevs') has already earned
his State colours but he has yet to par-
ticipate in an actual game. He is a
fast moving outfielder with a very good
arm, and may play centre-field in Mel-
bourne.
D. (Mick) Carr) is well known both on
the diamond and on the cricket field.
Carr has for a number of years been an
outstanding personality in carnival games
and on one occasion he won the trophy
for the best player in the series. He has
captained Western Australia in two car-
nivals, and is this year vice-captain of
the team. He will probably play at short-
stop, and is regarded as a trump-card in
the team.
Frank Day (Victoria Park), is having
a splendid year as a pitcher, and with
the experience of the trip behind him,
he may easily become one of the out-
standing players in local baseball. This
will be his first State selection.
George Dickinson (Chevs.) will be sec-
ond pitcher, and much is expected from
this player. Dickinson might easily rank
as the second-best all-rounder in West-
ern Australia. He will very likely play
third when not on the mound. He has
represented the State in two carnivals.
Dickinson is an "A" grade cricketer.
Glen Dunstan (Press) is one of our
best-known players. He has been vice-
captain of two carnival teams, and has
played second-bag with credit In both
series. This year he will lead the team.
Dunstan is a "positive" baseballer, and
is the fastest base-runner in the team.
During the summer months he keeps
wickets for the Mt. Lawley team.
Keith Jeffreys (Wests) will most likely
play at second-base, and he can also be
used as an outfielder. This season has
been a wonderful one for this youngster
and his batting should be one of the
features of the carnival team. Although
this is his first selection for an inter-
state baseball team, Jeffreys is well known
for his prowess on the cricket field, and
he has been a member of the W.A.C.A.
team for the past two years.
Ray Lane (Victoria Park) is the sur-
prise selection of the team. His strong
batting of recent weeks has forced itself
on the selectors, and this fact alone ap-
pears to have given him a place before
players who seemed to be fairly certain
of selection. An adventurous choice, but
one which may prove itself to be a sound
one.
Wally Nightingale (Chevs.) is yet an-
other utility player, but will most likely
catch to Dickinson in Victoria. Nightin-
gale was used as third-baseman in the
past two State sides. Extremely popular,
I anticipate his being one of the successes
of the trip.
Tom Nisbet (Press) has been rocketed
to fame by his handling of Puckett. Selec-
ted for the first time last year, he gave
a fine performance in his initial State
appearance. Nisbet has improved his bat-
ting immeasurably this year and his
form in this direction will be closely
watched.
Charlie Puckett (Press) justly earned
the title "Iron Man," when he pitched
four carnival games last year. Few play-
ers have even been fortunate enough to
possess such a throwing arm as Puckett's,
and he will be our first pitcher for the
second time. He is also a very fine bat.
Having represented South Australia, Vic-
toria and Western Australia in baseball
carnivals the experience will be nothing
new to him. Puckett is our' "big hope"
for the Claxton Shield.
Bennie Shorn (Victoria Park) is a new-
comer to interstate baseball. One of
the keenest youngsters in the game, Shorn
plays the short-stop position faultlessly.
I think Shorn will occupy a leading posi-
tion in West Australian baseball for many
years.
The position at first-base has been al-
lotted to me, and with the choice of W.
J. Lynch as coach, completes the team
to represent Western Australia in the
1939 carnival. The selection of a coach
is very good policy, and I have no doubt
that the executive committee have cho-
sen the right man for a difficult task,
the game, his position play and stick
work equalling that of any player afield.
It is extremely unfortunate that the
two leading centre-halves, D. McKenzie
and K. Kennedy, will be unable to make
the trip. This most important position
is sure to give the selectors many anxious
moments before the right man is in-
cluded.
There was little to choose between the
two goalies, - Punt, the consistent Oltjj
Scotch defender, and Hall, who has al-
ready played in two carnivals. Possibly
Hall will get the job because of his ex-
perience.
Dave Allnutt is certain to be Bickf ord's
partner on the full back line. Minuit's
exhibition in the trial run gave satisfac-
tion to all concerned. Southwood and
R. McKenzie are fighting for the position
of reserve full-back. McKenzie made his
first carnival appearance last year, but
Southwood has yet to earn lus state col-
ours.
Tlie wing-halves will come from Trus-
cott, E. McKenzie, who has played in five
carnivals, Dick, Andrew's and Critch.
Truscott is almost a certainly, and E.
McKenzie, if only for his invaluable ex-
perience, should also make the/rip. Mc-
Kenzie has more carnival appearances to
his credit than any other-man likely to
be in the team.
As always, the forward division will
cause the most worry. The centre-foward
job is very open, Ellershaw, Johnson and
Peterkin contending for that place. I
very much like Peterkins tenacity and
grim purpose, which is part and parcel
of his game. However, he has two diffi-
cult men to displace, and this, combined
with the fact that Ellershaw and John-
son have already interstate match play
experience behind them, will make the
going even harder for him.
Chapman a
Possibility.
A newcomer who mignt cause an up-
set in the calculations of thé centre-half
contenders is the young Guildfordian. V.
Chapman. Fast and determined, this
youngster is full of possibilities, but,
naturally, he is a- little in need of posi-
tion play experience.
The other centre-halves chosen for the
trial game were Bateman and Elliott,
both solid players.
Griffiths, the University outside-left,
has little to worry about, and should be
one of the outstanding men in the car-
nival games.
A consistently good team man is J.
Mattiske, the Old Modernians' star for-
ward. He Is a distinct possibility for the
right-wing position. (Particularly so if
Bandy is used in one of the inside for-
ward places.)
Old Aquinians may be represented by
E. McNamara, who is weekly one of their
best players. This man is well-known for
his clever stick-work and fearless dash.
McNamara played for Western Australia
in the 1937 carnival games.
Altogether there are 25 players who
have signified their intention Of making
the trip to Brisbane, if selected, and the
selectors are, as ever, going to find the
final selection a difficult task. Much will
depend on Saturday's form, consequently
the standard of play in thé coming round
should be very high.
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