The Day Book

CUBS OPEN FRIDAY WITH GAME AGAINST CHANCE'S CLUB

By Mark Shields.

Friday the Cubs officially open the baseball season with a real contest against the Los Angeles club at Pasadena. The contest comes early in the training period and chances are not bright for a big league victory. Manager Mitchell has driven his men vigorously and they are in excellent shape, considering they have had but two days' work, but the batters have looked at no real pitching and the Pacific coast hurlers have already advanced far enough to put some curves on the ball.

Mitchell has not yet given a hint of what the first lineup will be, but probably a score of men will get into the contest at different periods. It is certain Pickles Dilhoeffer, the classy young backstop, will have a chance to do a bit of catching.

Vaughn and Hendrix may be given a session on the mound. Both can stand considerable early work. Vaughn usually rounds to form early and is banked on to carry a goodly share of the pitching burden in the first few weeks of the National league season.

Hendrix has some surplus flesh that can be pulled off only by lots of work. And Hendrix is willing. He knows his showing of last season was a disappointment and not up to his standard. With Hendrix in winning condition, the Cubs should be a much better looking ball team.

Some of the young infielders are coming in for much notice. It is not likely the regular infield of Saier, Doyle, Worman and Deal will be disrupted, but reserve material is badly needed. A club is no stronger than its second-string men.

Zeider will try a job of relief and Hunter and Jenifer will also try to stick. Hunter has seen much big league baseball, though never as a regular. He can play at any section of the infield.

Plans are being laid for a permanent Cub camp in Pasadena. Bill Wrigley has the ground and is willing to devote it to the purpose.